IBA-DAPNe: a new system for sub-micron scale molecular speciation and quantification
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Surrey
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
Our vision is to develop a unique resource for molecular imaging and profiling that will be truly internationally leading. Molecular imaging is widely used for the characterisation of materials, and there are numerous methods available for generating and liberating ions from a surface and hence generating a chemical concentration map including those using mass spectrometry (MS). Since 2004, there has been an explosion of new MS methods in which a sample is analysed under ambient conditions. This has enabled the high throughput analysis of samples that are not vacuum compatible and has significantly speeded up the sample handling, which is often the time-limiting factor of vacuum-based techniques. Quantification, chemical speciation and spatial resolution are three key drivers for a multitude of applications, and there is currently not a single technique that can provide all these attributes at the sub-micron scale.
Direct Analyte Probed Nano Extraction Mass Spectrometry (DAPNe-MS) is a method of selecting and removing a small quantity of material from a surface, using a capillary tip attached to a nanomanipulator. The extracted material is then introduced into a mass spectrometer via nanoelectrospray ionisation. The technique has achieved sensitivity at the attogram level and is particularly suited to picking up trace materials from surfaces. Unlike imaging mass spectrometry techniques, the process of sample removal and ionisation are decoupled and there is minimal fragmentation. This provides better selectivity and opportunities for superior quantification compared with other ambient MS methods.
Due to its recent inception, no DAPNe facility exists in the UK. Surrey houses in its Ion Beam Centre (IBC) the only ambient pressure imaging MeV-Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) system in the world which offers sub-micron molecular imaging (EP/I036516/1). SIMS, an Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) technique, is known for its excellent spatial resolution but a drawback is the fragmentation that occurs during the sputtering process. Currently available techniques at Surrey and NPL have imaging capability with high spatial resolution, can distinguish between molecular species and even provide molecular concentration maps. Techniques which provide trace element information at the ppb level in ambient conditions (Particle Induced X-ray Emission - PIXE, also an IBA technique) are also readily available. The missing component is trace molecular information, which DAPNe will provide. We will use current techniques to highlight specific regions which require a more detailed analysis with very high sensitivity using this new unique probe. Complementary use of IBA and DAPNe (IBA-DAPNe) is unique internationally and would provide unprecedented level of characterisation of samples at the sub-micron scale in full ambient conditions.
The proposed IBA-DAPNe system will provide missing information for researchers from any discipline and research projects will be prioritised on the basis of scientific excellence. Access will be provided free of charge for the first two years. We see particular benefits for those working across 6 key EPSRC themes: Energy, Manufacturing for the Future, Healthcare Technologies, Global Uncertainties, ICT and Engineering.
Direct Analyte Probed Nano Extraction Mass Spectrometry (DAPNe-MS) is a method of selecting and removing a small quantity of material from a surface, using a capillary tip attached to a nanomanipulator. The extracted material is then introduced into a mass spectrometer via nanoelectrospray ionisation. The technique has achieved sensitivity at the attogram level and is particularly suited to picking up trace materials from surfaces. Unlike imaging mass spectrometry techniques, the process of sample removal and ionisation are decoupled and there is minimal fragmentation. This provides better selectivity and opportunities for superior quantification compared with other ambient MS methods.
Due to its recent inception, no DAPNe facility exists in the UK. Surrey houses in its Ion Beam Centre (IBC) the only ambient pressure imaging MeV-Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) system in the world which offers sub-micron molecular imaging (EP/I036516/1). SIMS, an Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) technique, is known for its excellent spatial resolution but a drawback is the fragmentation that occurs during the sputtering process. Currently available techniques at Surrey and NPL have imaging capability with high spatial resolution, can distinguish between molecular species and even provide molecular concentration maps. Techniques which provide trace element information at the ppb level in ambient conditions (Particle Induced X-ray Emission - PIXE, also an IBA technique) are also readily available. The missing component is trace molecular information, which DAPNe will provide. We will use current techniques to highlight specific regions which require a more detailed analysis with very high sensitivity using this new unique probe. Complementary use of IBA and DAPNe (IBA-DAPNe) is unique internationally and would provide unprecedented level of characterisation of samples at the sub-micron scale in full ambient conditions.
The proposed IBA-DAPNe system will provide missing information for researchers from any discipline and research projects will be prioritised on the basis of scientific excellence. Access will be provided free of charge for the first two years. We see particular benefits for those working across 6 key EPSRC themes: Energy, Manufacturing for the Future, Healthcare Technologies, Global Uncertainties, ICT and Engineering.
Planned Impact
This proposal supports research in applications ranging from energy and electronics through to the aerospace and automotive industries. It also underpins developments in national security and healthcare technologies. The fields of energy and biotechnology are estimated to contribute nearly £30 billion per annum to the UK, while the national security industry is worth £30 billion. The manufacturing industry is worth 10% of UK output. Establishing a new DAPNe system at Surrey will enable academia and industry to work together on new technologies in the above-mentioned areas.
In 2013 David Willets together with the department for Business Innovation and Skills laid down the 'Eight Great Technologies', which will propel the UK to future growth. Through the applications conceived in the case for support, IBA-DAPNe will contribute to the knowledge base of 5 of these areas: Satellites (PV materials), Advanced Materials (carbon fibre composites, adhesion), Synthetic biology (interaction of endogenous compounds with NC3Rs), Energy (fuel cells, batteries, smart fibres) and Regenerative Medicine (proteins in fibres).
It is envisaged that society will be beneficially impacted by research carried out on materials for energy, which are central to electric vehicles. Electric vehicles offer promise in terms of sustainability and lowering of the carbon footprint. The associated positive environmental impact will be of both economic and societal benefit. The societal impact associated with smart phone technology and proposed health benefits of wearable technologies for health, have all been enabled by research into materials for electronics. Advanced electronic materials provide faster and smaller computing and
communications systems are transforming how society lives and works.
Materials for energy are central to the technologies responsible for electric vehicles, which will be at the heart of a future economy associated with sustainability and lowering the carbon footprint. The associated positive environmental impact will be of both economic and societal benefit. Energy materials will also impact society by reducing energy bills at the domestic level through smart electricity storage in the home. Storage capacity of the national grid is far short of current demands. Research into materials for energy can address this, benefitting society and industry alike.
Materials for electronics have societal impact in terms of advantages associated with smart phone technology and proposed benefits of wearable technologies for heath. Advanced electronic materials provide faster, smaller and more portable systems in computing and communications, which are transforming how society lives and works.
As part of the 5 year National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review, the Prime Minister announced an £178 billion investment over the next decade, including provision for knowledge transfer with universities. This highlights both the importance of security to society, and end-user/academic partnerships. Investment in security assures continued trade and foreign investment in the UK, which contributes to the economic wealth of society at large.
The skills and facilities will be made open for use by other academics and industrial researchers, helping to ensure that the UK stays at the forefront of Analytical Science, which maintains the health of all the other disciplines above. The associated facilities will be seen and recognised as a valuable resource. Public interaction is key to realising the full impact of the research proposed here; it will increase awareness of the challenges and progress in the applications of Ion Beam Analysis and Raman Spectroscopy as well as the wider materials field.
In 2013 David Willets together with the department for Business Innovation and Skills laid down the 'Eight Great Technologies', which will propel the UK to future growth. Through the applications conceived in the case for support, IBA-DAPNe will contribute to the knowledge base of 5 of these areas: Satellites (PV materials), Advanced Materials (carbon fibre composites, adhesion), Synthetic biology (interaction of endogenous compounds with NC3Rs), Energy (fuel cells, batteries, smart fibres) and Regenerative Medicine (proteins in fibres).
It is envisaged that society will be beneficially impacted by research carried out on materials for energy, which are central to electric vehicles. Electric vehicles offer promise in terms of sustainability and lowering of the carbon footprint. The associated positive environmental impact will be of both economic and societal benefit. The societal impact associated with smart phone technology and proposed health benefits of wearable technologies for health, have all been enabled by research into materials for electronics. Advanced electronic materials provide faster and smaller computing and
communications systems are transforming how society lives and works.
Materials for energy are central to the technologies responsible for electric vehicles, which will be at the heart of a future economy associated with sustainability and lowering the carbon footprint. The associated positive environmental impact will be of both economic and societal benefit. Energy materials will also impact society by reducing energy bills at the domestic level through smart electricity storage in the home. Storage capacity of the national grid is far short of current demands. Research into materials for energy can address this, benefitting society and industry alike.
Materials for electronics have societal impact in terms of advantages associated with smart phone technology and proposed benefits of wearable technologies for heath. Advanced electronic materials provide faster, smaller and more portable systems in computing and communications, which are transforming how society lives and works.
As part of the 5 year National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review, the Prime Minister announced an £178 billion investment over the next decade, including provision for knowledge transfer with universities. This highlights both the importance of security to society, and end-user/academic partnerships. Investment in security assures continued trade and foreign investment in the UK, which contributes to the economic wealth of society at large.
The skills and facilities will be made open for use by other academics and industrial researchers, helping to ensure that the UK stays at the forefront of Analytical Science, which maintains the health of all the other disciplines above. The associated facilities will be seen and recognised as a valuable resource. Public interaction is key to realising the full impact of the research proposed here; it will increase awareness of the challenges and progress in the applications of Ion Beam Analysis and Raman Spectroscopy as well as the wider materials field.
Organisations
- University of Surrey (Lead Research Organisation)
- Netherlands Forensic Institute (Collaboration)
- iThemba LABs (Collaboration)
- National Physical Laboratory (Collaboration)
- AstraZeneca (Collaboration)
- Ionoptika (Collaboration)
- Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (Collaboration)
- NPL Ltd (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM (Collaboration)
- Wexham Park Hospital (Collaboration)
- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) (Collaboration)
- Ruder Boskovic Institute (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL (Collaboration)
- University of Bristol (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON (Collaboration)
- Universidade de São Paulo (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER (Collaboration)
- PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND (Collaboration)
- Sapienza University of Rome (Collaboration)
- SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- Institute Josef Stefan (Collaboration)
- Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) (Collaboration)
- International Atomic Energy Agency (Collaboration)
- HM Prison Service (Collaboration)
- Home Office (Collaboration)
- University of Toronto (Collaboration)
- KING'S COLLEGE LONDON (Collaboration)
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Project Partner)
- AstraZeneca (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
Publications
Spick M
(2022)
An integrated analysis and comparison of serum, saliva and sebum for COVID-19 metabolomics.
in Scientific reports
Schwikkard SL
(2018)
Antiangiogenic Activity and Cytotoxicity of Triterpenoids and Homoisoflavonoids from Massonia pustulata and Massonia bifolia.
in Planta medica
De Jesus J
(2018)
Application of Various Normalization Methods for Microscale Analysis of Tissues Using Direct Analyte Probed Nanoextraction.
in Analytical chemistry
Spick M
(2021)
Changes to the sebum lipidome upon COVID-19 infection observed via rapid sampling from the skin.
in EClinicalMedicine
Lewis HM
(2022)
Colocation of Lipids, Drugs, and Metal Biomarkers Using Spatially Resolved Lipidomics with Elemental Mapping.
in Analytical chemistry
De Jesus JM
(2021)
Correlative Imaging of Trace Elements and Intact Molecular Species in a Single-Tissue Sample at the 50 µm Scale.
in Analytical chemistry
Description | We have found that it is possible to extract a sample from a 50 micron radius area, reproducibly. With the DAPNe tool, we can carry out liquid sampling of tissues. The sample can be transferred efficiently from a nanocapillary to a vial and submitted for liquid chromatography mass spectrometry analysis, or similar. This is applicable to researchers working in a range of fields across UKRI remit areas who are interested in spatially resolved molecular analysis. |
Exploitation Route | Users of the Surrey Ion Beam Centre can now using this equipment for spatially resolved LC-MS. |
Sectors | Energy Environment Healthcare Government Democracy and Justice Culture Heritage Museums and Collections Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | The mass spectrometry equipment have been used by industry (for example Pall Scientific, Neoteryx, Intelligent Fingerprinting, GSK) to make measurements that underpin aspects of their production processes. |
First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
Sector | Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Impact Types | Societal Economic |
Description | Lecture at Kings College London |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Impact | Toxicologists at Kings College hospital now aware of a new potential tool for hair analysis or fingerprint analysis |
Description | Lecture at Wexham Park Hospital |
Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Impact | We presented on a potential new way to monitor antibiotic use from a fingerprint to clinicians and patients at Wexham Park Hospital |
Description | Participation in the Particle Induced X Ray Emission International Commitee |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Impact | Improved awareness internationally of the ability to use mass spectrometry in conjunction with ion beams |
URL | http://pixe2017.irb.hr/Committees |
Description | SBRI IRC Showcase |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Impact | The project has provided proof of concept data for rapid screening for explosive compounds at high sensitivity using mass spectrometry. |
Description | Biometric Identity |
Amount | £28,794 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 86202375 |
Organisation | Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2017 |
End | 03/2018 |
Description | Case Award with GSK |
Amount | £120,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EPSRC case award 220016 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2022 |
End | 10/2026 |
Description | Debbie Charlton PhD Award Bio Metric Identity |
Amount | £39,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2018 |
End | 09/2024 |
Description | EPSRC Case award with NPL |
Amount | £120,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2022 |
End | 10/2026 |
Description | EPSRC Impact Accleration Account |
Amount | £13,232 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2018 |
End | 03/2018 |
Description | EPSRC Impact Accleration Account - Surrey |
Amount | £19,475 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2017 |
End | 09/2017 |
Description | EPSRC MeV SIMS |
Amount | £3,000,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/Y015134/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2024 |
End | 02/2027 |
Description | EPSRC Summer Studentships |
Amount | £2,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2017 |
End | 08/2017 |
Description | Innovate UK IRC Call on Weapons Detection |
Amount | £60,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | IRC 2016 - 850235372792016 |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2017 |
End | 09/2017 |
Description | Ion Beam Analysis for the 2020's and beyond: an integration of elemental mapping and omics |
Amount | £1,025,483 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/R031118/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2018 |
End | 04/2023 |
Description | Molecular mapping of SARS-CoV2 and the host response with multiomics mass spectrometry to stratify disease outcomes |
Amount | £1,736,024 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/V011456/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2020 |
End | 04/2023 |
Description | NPL Surrey Studentships |
Amount | £60,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Intelligent Fingerprinting Limited |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2017 |
End | 09/2020 |
Description | Research Infrastructures |
Amount | £10,000,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 824096 |
Organisation | European Union |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 01/2018 |
End | 12/2021 |
Description | Wolfson Capital Grant |
Amount | £500,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Wolfson Foundation |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2023 |
End | 12/2026 |
Description | iCURe |
Amount | £30,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 11-03 / 517236144 |
Organisation | SETsquared Partnership |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2017 |
End | 01/2018 |
Description | AstraZeneca |
Organisation | AstraZeneca |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | We have been developing a mass spectrometry method using DAPNe for the spatially resolved detection of drugs in tissue |
Collaborator Contribution | AZ have provided tissue mimetic samples, dosed with olanzapine, ternafenadine and other drugs as a model sample to explore the capabilities of DAPNe for tissue imaging |
Impact | Abstracts submitted to ASMS; presented at PIXE 2016 in Croatia; IBA 2017 in Shanghai. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Collaboration with University of Sao Paulo |
Organisation | Universidade de São Paulo |
Country | Brazil |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We are working with University of Sao Paulo to establish methodology to understand better the impact of metal delivery on skin. Sao Paulo university are making skin models and adding metal particles. We will use the techniques being developed in this fellowship to co-locate metals and lipids to explore the impact of metal to lipid membranes in skin. |
Collaborator Contribution | As above |
Impact | Successful application for Ion beam time through RADIATE grant |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Collaboration with University of Toronto |
Organisation | University of Toronto |
Country | Canada |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We are using the methods developed in this fellowship to establish the sub-cellular location of thallium and other radioisotopes in cells. |
Collaborator Contribution | The partners are providing cells incubated with Th |
Impact | Successful award of RADIATE funding for transnational access and beam time |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Dstl |
Organisation | Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | We have been developing new mass spectrometry methods for the rapid screening of explosive residues |
Collaborator Contribution | Dstl have allowed Patrick Sears (Principal Scientist) to work in our laboratory with us to advise on best practise for explosive detection (common adduct signals, solvent systems etc) |
Impact | Innovate UK funding from the IRC ; 2 manuscripts in preparation |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Francesco Romolo |
Organisation | Sapienza University of Rome |
Department | Faculty of Medicine and Psychology |
Country | Italy |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have been developing methodology to detect cocaine and its metabolites in the hair of prisoners |
Collaborator Contribution | La Sapienza have provided hair samples collected from the pubic region of prisoners |
Impact | Project is in progress |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | GSK |
Organisation | GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) |
Country | Global |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | GSK have funded a studentship to explore single cell mass spectrometry using DAPNe. We are trialling new ion beam analysis methods and ion beam analysis with mass spectrometry imaging on samples provided by GSK. We have also brought our DAPNE system to GSK to work together on localised tissue extractions |
Collaborator Contribution | contribution by GSK is the provision of tissue samples from animals dosed with various different drugs, training in MALDI imaging, training in single cell extraction and cell culturing |
Impact | training of PHD and post doctoral students in the fellowship team new potential service offerings for the ion beam centre |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | GSk |
Organisation | GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) |
Country | Global |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | We are comparing different cell sampling methods and relating to the single cell lipid profiles observed. |
Collaborator Contribution | GSK are funding a studentship on the above topic. They have supplied training and also Nano spray emitter tips and access to high resolution mass spectrometry instrumentation and sampling methods. |
Impact | Development of materials for publication (currently under reivew) |
Start Year | 2023 |
Description | HMPPS |
Organisation | HM Prison Service |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | In our facility we are testing fingerprint samples for novel psychoactive substances |
Collaborator Contribution | partners at HMPPS are carrying out urine drug tests to go alongside fingerprint testing as well as commissioning a third party to carry out data analysis |
Impact | training of prison officers in fingerprint collection and mass spectrometry |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Home Office Centre for Applied Science and Technology |
Organisation | Home Office |
Department | Centre for Applied Science and Technology |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | We have been training Dr Steve Bleay, Acting Head of Department to use high resolution mass spectrometry. Dr Bleay is interested in the adoption of mass spectrometry imaging for future forensic casework |
Collaborator Contribution | Dr Bleay in return has provided lectures on our forensic course (>15 hours) and co-supervision of project students. He has also provided access to the CAST laboratory for fingerprint development prior to mass spectrometry |
Impact | Greater awareness at CAST of mass spectrometry imaging methods. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | International Atomic Energy Agency |
Organisation | International Atomic Energy Agency |
Country | Austria |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | We have shared our methodology with researchers around the world through an IAEA sponsored coordinated research programme in single cell irradiation and analysis. |
Collaborator Contribution | The IAEA has put together a coordinated research programme in single cell irradiation and analysis and invited us to join. THe first meeting was held in Singapore in Septmeber 2023. |
Impact | First meeting report submitted to the IAEA |
Start Year | 2023 |
Description | Intrepid Forensics |
Organisation | University of Leicester |
Department | Department of Chemistry |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We trained Annelies Voohaar to use mass spectrometry for use in her project to understand the effect of molecularly imprinted polymers for the enhancement of fingerprints |
Collaborator Contribution | Annelies was working in our laboratory for 3 months |
Impact | physics, chemistry and forensic science. results reported to fingerprint specialists in the UK and in the Netherlands |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | IonOptika |
Organisation | Ionoptika |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | We have been working to assess the suitability of ion beam analysis and MeV SIMS / DAPNe workflows to offer a comprehensive suite of analytical techniques to users of the Surrey Ion Beam Centre in the future |
Collaborator Contribution | Use of water cluster SIMS instrument demo system |
Impact | Development of an analytical workflow |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Josef Stefan Institute |
Organisation | Institute Josef Stefan |
Country | Slovenia |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have been developing a new method for drug detection in hair using DAPNe, together with Primoz Pelicon from JSI |
Collaborator Contribution | Primoz has provided hair samples and imaging of these samples using MEV SIMS |
Impact | Reported at CAARI 2017 and IBA 2017 (Shanghai) |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Kings College |
Organisation | King's College London |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We hosted a summer student from Kings College London to work on paper spray mass spectrometry |
Collaborator Contribution | Collection of clinical samples |
Impact | We are writing a publication and we have detected mephedrone in fingerprints for the first time |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Multiforesee EU COST Action |
Organisation | Sheffield Hallam University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | This is a project aimed at linking researchers in the area of imaging in forensics. Our team's contribution has been to participate in a Round Robin study and show the potential for Mass Spec imaging in forensics |
Collaborator Contribution | Imaging of fingerprint samples using mass spectrometry |
Impact | links the forensic community with analytical scientists working on new tools |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | NPL |
Organisation | National Physical Laboratory |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | NPL have funded a studentship through their CASE award to explore multimodal mass spectrometry imaging and ion beam analysis. Together we are exploring new methods for data integration. |
Collaborator Contribution | NPL are providing mass spectrometry imaging. Surrey is providing ion beam analysis. |
Impact | Training of a PhD student |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | National Physical Laboratory |
Organisation | NPL Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | We are exploring different methods for normalising drug signals in tissue. |
Collaborator Contribution | NPL have helped with provision of samples, spraying of internal standards, and mass spectrometry imaging. they have also provided us with a desorption electrospray ionisation source to borrow |
Impact | Paper in analytical chemistry and others being drafted. training of phd students and ongoing collaboration with AstraZeneca |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | National Physical Laboratory |
Organisation | National Physical Laboratory |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We are exploring the dual use of elemental imaging (use ion beams) and molecular imaging (using mass spectrometry). Surrey is providing funding for studentships, access to IBA and access to mass spectrometry |
Collaborator Contribution | NPL has provided access to mass spectrometry (complementary imaging methods), sample preparation, data processing facilities, student supervision and has funded student travel. |
Impact | ESPRC fellowship application made and rated highly by referees; >10 conference presentations; 3 papers in preparation; training of 4 PhD students; follow-on funding from Innovate UK and Dstl |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Netherlands Forensic Institute |
Organisation | Netherlands Forensic Institute |
Country | Netherlands |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Development of antibody labelling approaches using ion beam analysis and mass spectrometry |
Collaborator Contribution | Development of antibody labelling approaches |
Impact | work is ongoing |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Public Health England |
Organisation | Public Health England |
Department | Public Health England Porton Down |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | We are using ion beam techniques and mass spectrometry imaging to locate Au labelled drugs relative to other markers in tissue samples |
Collaborator Contribution | partners are providing sectioned tissues |
Impact | Studying au labelled drugs in marmoset tissues. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | RBI |
Organisation | Ruder Boskovic Institute |
Country | Croatia |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | We are seeking to explore the relation between drugs and their metabolites in fingerprints for drug testing and toxicology purposes and have been using DAPNe for this |
Collaborator Contribution | RBI have given beam time to understand more about how chemical imaging of drugs and metabolites |
Impact | student trained in Croatia in imaging analysis |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Surrey and Border NHS Trust |
Organisation | Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | We are searching for antipsychotic drugs in fingeprrints using LC-MS |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners are helping with recruitment of patients and collection of samples |
Impact | we have detected antipsychotic drugs and their metabolites in fingerprints for the first time |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Surrey and Borders NHS Trust |
Organisation | Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | we are developing novel methods for the detection of drugs of abuse from a fingerprint, using mass spectrometry |
Collaborator Contribution | collection of patient samples |
Impact | Funding from iCURe (see funding section) funding from intelligent fingerprinting (see funding section) |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | University of Birmingham |
Organisation | University of Birmingham |
Department | School of Biosciences |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Use of FAIMS -MS for explosive detection and use of DAPNe for spatially resolved proteomics |
Collaborator Contribution | training on FAIMS MS at Bristol ; provision of samples and expertise of RA at Surrey |
Impact | postdoc has applied for follow on funding to explore this work further. this is a multidisciplinary project, requiring the collaboration of physicists, engineers, chemists and bioscientists |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | University of Bristol |
Organisation | University of Bristol |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Analysis of nano composite samples using direct analyte probed nano extraction |
Collaborator Contribution | Provision of nano composite samples |
Impact | training of staff |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | University of Liverpool |
Organisation | University of Liverpool |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Development of paper spray metrology |
Collaborator Contribution | Liverpool have provided laser cut and wax channel substrates for paper spray mass spectrometry |
Impact | Data under review |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | University of Southampton |
Organisation | University of Southampton |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have used the DAPNe probe to extract proteins from selected regions of samples, for spatially resolved proteomics |
Collaborator Contribution | The University of Southampton team are carrying out proteomics mass spectrometry |
Impact | Training of a PhD student in proteomics and research team. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Wexham Park Hospital |
Organisation | Wexham Park Hospital |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Hospitals |
PI Contribution | We have been developing a new method using mass spectrometry to screen for antibiotic drug use |
Collaborator Contribution | Wexham park have provided clinical staff time (clinicians and research nurses) to assist with the collection of patient fingerprint samples |
Impact | 2 UK patent applications submitted; 2 grant applications currently under review by MRC; new collaboration with TB clinicians working in Vietnam; 1 manuscript in preparation; |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | ithemba labs SA |
Organisation | iThemba LABs |
Department | Nuclear Physics |
Country | South Africa |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Analysis of hair samples for pharmaceutical compounds using DAPNe |
Collaborator Contribution | Collection and preparation of hair samples including longitudinal sectioning |
Impact | Data under review |
Start Year | 2016 |
Title | Fingerprint Test for Antibiotics |
Description | We have developed a test for antibiotic use that uses a fingerprints. We have tested the fingerprints of patients from Wexham Park Hospital, undergoing treatment for Tuberculosis and have found that we can detect the drugs that they are taking using mass spectrometry. We are now applying for follow-on funding from MRC |
Type | Management of Diseases and Conditions |
Current Stage Of Development | Refinement. Clinical |
Year Development Stage Completed | 2017 |
Development Status | Actively seeking support |
Clinical Trial? | Yes |
UKCRN/ISCTN Identifier | CPMS ID 31906 |
Impact | Submission of a patent application (Dec 2017) |
Description | Appearance in Japanese Documentary on Forensic Science |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | We appeared in a documentary about fingerprint development techniques. I was interviewed and we gave a demonstration of DAPNe to show what information (drugs etc) would be obtained from a fingerprint |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Hampshire Science Group and Three Counties Science Group talks |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Talk to general public at Hampshire Science Group and another talk at 3 Counties Science Group. Increased knowledge of these groups on ion beam analysis and mass spectrometry. have been asked to give further talks |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Interviews for national and international news |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Various media articles including https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/22/fingerprint-test-can-detect-cocaine-30-seconds/ ; http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/fingerprint-test-cocaine-use-detect-washed-hands-illegal-drugs-sweat-surrey-university-a7961821.html; https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/22/new-drug-test-can-detect-cocaine-in-a-fingerprint-in-seconds.html; https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/09/170922193142.htm |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Media reports in 2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Widespread news coverage (>200 articles) of our finding that cocaine resides on fingerprints of non-drug users, but that we can set a threshold to distinguish drug use from environmental exposure |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/drugs-cocaine-heroin-fingerprints-traces-people-class-a-s... |
Description | Portsmouth physical society |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | 20 pupils attended the talk and this sparked questions and a discussion afterwards. I was also asked to give a lecture in November to the University of Third Age from one of the audience members. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Press release about using fingerprints to detect medication adherence |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | my group published a paper showing that it is possible to detect medication adherence from a single fingerprint. We put out a press release and had several media interviews. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
Description | Talk at Royal Grammar School, Guildford |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Talk at the Royal Grammar school to inspire school children to carry out reserach in analytical science |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Talk at Surrey University Celebrating Surrey Public Event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I gave a talk to the general public about development of analytical science and the benefits it can bring to society. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
Description | Talk at Tormead School |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Talk to school children at local school about analytical chemistry and application in biomedical and forensic science. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
Description | Training event at international Atomic Energy Agency |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | This will take place in June in Italy and we will train forensic experts to use ion beam analysis techniques |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | school visit boxgrove school |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | workshop for children at Boxgrove primary school (100 children in year 2). School reported that students were inspired by the work we are doing |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |