Biological Mass Spectrometry Imaging
PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE at University of Copenhagen
Relevant for students within Plant Science, Biology, Biology-Biotechnology, Medicine and Technology, Molecular Biomedicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences
Aim and content
This advanced biological imaging course module gives a theoretical and hands-on introduction to metabolite imaging of biological samples using mass spectrometry imaging. The course aims to introduce the basic concepts of the technology, including choice of appropriate approach for a given sample type.
The course gives an introduction to mass spectrometry imaging and the different types of instruments within this technology and provides an overview of strengths and weaknesses of the methods, including what can and cannot be detected, and how they complement each other. In the course, we go through all steps of selecting appropriate methods, sampling and preparing specimens, and sample analysis and data analysis. These steps will all be demonstrated in the hands-on part of the course. While this part will mainly focus on plant and possibly microbial samples, we will also explain which approaches to sample preparation are appropriate for different types of specimens and demonstrate some that work well for animal samples.
Formel requirements
Open for MSc and PhD students after taking the UCPH’s basic Biological Imaging module (course number 5721-25-09-31) or if the relevant knowledge was acquired in another way, e.g., through related courses at UCPH or other universities. If in doubt, please contact Nanna Bjarnholt, mail nnb@plen.ku.dk
Learning outcome
Knowledge:
•Understand basic concepts of mass spectrometry imaging (MSI)
•Know different approaches to sample preparation and MSI analysis and how/why they are appropriate for specific sample types
•Understand the possibilities and limitations of the technology
Skills:
•Read, understand and evaluate scientific papers that utilize MSI within the student’s own field
•Design a MSI experiment with sampling, sample preparation and sample analysis based on knowledge of the sample type, metabolite(s) of interest and characteristics and limitations of the chosen methods
•Carry out basic sample preparation
•Carry out basic MSI data analysis and understand how the results can and cannot be interpreted
Competences:
•Able to explain the different approaches and/or instruments for sample preparation and MSI analyses
•Able to evaluate the suitability of the different approaches to answer biological questions within the student’s own field of research
•Able to advice on general suitability of the different approaches to answer scientific questions in other biological sciences
Literature
Relevant background material and journal articles will be electronically available at the start of the course.
Target group
Students that either:
- Have MSI instruments at their home institution and plan to use it in their projects, or…
- Are interested in initiating collaboration with the host lab, the PlantMSI facility headed by the course responsible (mainly plant science students), or…
- Use other mass spectrometry technologies in their science and want to learn about MS imaging
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures, demonstrations, hands-on practical exercises, theoretical exercises.
Students will prepare samples, analyze samples and data and present their work in a written report.
Lecturers
Associate Professor Christian Janfelt, Dept. of Pharmacy, SUND, KU. Lectures on animal MSI and specific types of instrumentation.
Possibly also guest lecturers from SDU (protein MSI) and/or DTU (microbial MSI)
Remarks
All PhD students are charged for instrument-time & laboratory expenses amounting to a total of 750 DKK for this course module.
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PhD students enrolled at UCPH: Please provide us with "stedkode" and "alias" when you register by choosing "Apply" at the upper right corner of the course description, so that UCPH Accounting Department can make an internal transfer regarding payment of the course fee.
PhD students enrolled at other universities than UCPH: After you have registered by choosing "Apply" in the upper right corner of the course description, please pay the course fee via this link https://eventsignup.ku.dk/bio-mass-spect-imaging-5747 Payment via creditcard or Mobilepay only.
The registration is binding, and the course fee is non-refundable in case of participant cancellation after enrolment deadline 20 April 2025.
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NB. applicants outside UCPH applying for PhD courses for the first time: press "login for others" in upper right corner of website. Then choose "forgot password" and enter your mail. A password will be sent to your mail which enables you to make a login and apply for enrollment at the course.
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This course is an add-on module to the 5 ECTS “Biological Imaging – Basic Module”, PhD course no. 5721-25-09-31 (course responsible: Professor Alexander Schulz, PLEN) scheduled for the last 3 weeks of the 8-week course (7,5 ECTS in total), but can also be taken separately, if the requirements are fullfilled.
Overview add-on modules:
1) Biological Mass Spectrometry Imaging (PLEN) 2,5 ECTS
2) Biological X-ray and Neutron Imaging (PLEN), 2,5 ECTS
3) Biological IR and Raman Imaging (IGN), 2,5 ECTS
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UCPH discloses non-sensitive personal data to course leader/speakers, if any. In addition, we will disclose non-sensitive personal data to the other participants in the course. Non-sensitive personal data includes names, job positions, institution names & addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses.