The research team led by Craig Wheelock at the Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM) has significantly expanded its analytical capabilities by acquiring two new mass spectrometers. This enhancement brings the laboratory’s total to six operational instruments, positioning the Wheelock Lab as one of the most comprehensively equipped mass spectrometry facilities in its field.
Advancements in Mass Spectrometry Imaging
Among the newly acquired equipment is an advanced platform for mass spectrometry imaging (MSI). This cutting-edge technology broadens the lab’s capabilities in the developing area of spatial biology. The MSI system allows researchers to accurately map the spatial organization and interactions of molecules within their native biological environments. By directly imaging metabolites in tissue samples, the platform offers valuable chemical insights that enable scientists to visualize the distribution of small molecules and deepen their understanding of complex biological processes.
Postdoctoral researcher Matt Smith is leading the development of innovative MSI workflows in collaboration with Waters Corporation at the Solna Campus. Support from the National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden (NBIS) has been integral to this project. The new methods allow for the direct imaging of metabolites and environmental pollutants in tissue sections, while maintaining the integrity of the samples for further analyses such as spatial transcriptomics. This multi-modality approach empowers researchers to explore spatial organization across various biological layers with remarkable depth and precision.
Research Applications and Implications
The Wheelock Lab is currently employing these advanced imaging techniques to investigate the roles of lipid mediators, such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes, in inflammatory lung diseases. By combining histological analysis with spatial transcriptomics from the same tissue section, the team is uncovering the specific tissue microenvironments that drive lipid-mediated inflammation in conditions like asthma.
The lab’s application of MSI also extends to the visualization of environmental chemicals within tissues. In one recent study, researchers examined the uptake and distribution of PFAS compounds in a zebrafish model. Their findings revealed metabolic disturbances associated with chemical exposure, providing high spatial resolution insights. The study demonstrated that individual PFAS species, specifically PFOS and PFOA, exhibit distinct spatial distributions in zebrafish, suggesting potential organ-specific effects of these compounds.
In addition to these research advancements, Craig Wheelock also oversees the Small Molecule Mass Spectrometry Core Facility (KI-SMMS). This facility offers expert support in metabolism, experimental design, and data analysis. Whether researchers require metabolomics, lipidomics, targeted fluxomics, or other LC-MS-based analyses, KI-SMMS develops customized solutions tailored to meet specific scientific objectives.
The recent investments in mass spectrometry equipment not only enhance the service capacity of the core facility but also advance the research capabilities of the Wheelock Lab. These developments align with the mission of the Institute of Environmental Medicine to understand the influence of environmental chemicals on human health.
