Odseki

Bilateralni projekt s partnerji z Univerze v Ghentu, Belgija: ARRS-FWO

Vodja projekta: J.T. van Elteren

PROJECT SYNOPSIS

Laser ablation-ICP-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) can be used for visualizing the distribution of (trace) elements across any solid material with high spatial resolution. The recent development of low-dispersion LA cells has provided gains in throughput and sensitivity of 2-3 orders of magnitude compared to conventional cells. The project focuses on development of methodologies for high-resolution 2D & 3D imaging of samples of a wide range of hardness, morphology, composition and complexity, taking full advantage of this next generation of LA cells. New algorithms and approaches to 2D & 3D mapping will be elaborated. Cross-validation with established molecular and elemental imaging microprobes will be performed to benchmark the new LA-ICP-MS protocols. Enhanced visualization of localized features in 2D and 3D elemental LA-ICP-MS images will be explored by merging these images with images obtained with complementary molecular and morphological techniques, potentially leading to better insight into bio- and geochemical processes on the (sub-) μm scale. Mathematical procedures for registration, data mining and data fusion of these multimodal images will be deployed and further developed, whilst fundamental issues regarding quantification and calibration will be addressed. Multimodal 2D and 3D imaging will be applied to biological tissues to monitor biochemical changes induced by drug admission or by external exposure to (heavy) metals in the context of environmental pollution. 

FUNDING BODIES

Slovenian Research Agency ARRS (Department of Analytical Chemistry, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana) and the Research Foundation Flanders FWO (Department of Chemistry, Atomic & Mass Spectrometry, Ghent University, Belgium); funding period: 01.01.2017-31.12.2020; funded hours: 2049 (1.20 FTE).

SLOVENIAN GROUP MEMBERS (01.01.2017-31.12.2020)

J.T. van Elteren (head)
M. Šala (researcher)
V.S. Šelih (researcher)
A. Pavlišič (researcher)

PROJECT TARGETS

The project targets the following objectives: 

i)    Development and optimization of 2D and 3D LA-ICP-MS imaging;
ii)   Performance testing via cross-validation of 2D and 3D LA-ICP-MS imaging;
iii)  Multimodal imaging and data fusion for relevant samples;
iv)  Solving quantification issues in LA-ICP-MS imaging;
v)   Physical effects of cryogenic cooling on 2D and 3D LA-ICP-MS mapping. 

REFERENCES

i)   M. Šala, V.S. ŠELIH and J.T. van Elteren, “Gelatin gels as multi-element calibration standards in LA-ICP-MS bioimaging: fabrication of homogeneous standards and microhomogeneity testing”, Analyst 142 (2017) 3356-3359;

ii)  S.J.M. Van Malderen, J.T. van Elteren, V.S. ŠELIH and F. Vanhaecke, “Considerations on data acquisition in laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry with low-dispersion interfaces”, Spectrochim. Acta B 140 (2018) 29-34;

iii)  J.T. van Elteren, V.S. Šelih, M. Šala, S.J.M. Van Malderen and F. Vanhaecke, “Imaging artifacts in continuous scanning 2D LA-ICP-MS imaging due to non-synchronization issues”, Anal. Chem. 90 (2018) 2896-2901.

iv)  J.T. van Elteren, M. Šala, and V.S. Šelih, “Perceptual image quality metrics concept in continuous scanning 2D laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry bioimaging”, Anal. Chem. 90 (2018) 5916−5922;

v) J.T. van Elteren, V.S. Šelih and M. Šala, “Insights into the selection of 2D LA-ICP-MS (multi) elemental mapping conditions”, J. Anal. At. Spectrom.,34 (2019) 1919-1931;

vi) D. Metarapi, M. Šala, K. Vogel-Mikuš, V.S. Šelih, and J.T. van Elteren, “Nanoparticle analysis in biomaterials using laser ablation−single particle−inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry”, Anal. Chem. 91 (2019) 6200−6205;

vii) K. Vogel-Mikuš, J.T. van Elteren, M. Regvar, J. Chaiprapa, B. Jenčič, I. Arčon, A. Kodre, P. Kump, A. Kavčič, M. Kelemen, D. Metarapi, M. Nečemer, P. Vavpetič, P. Pelicon, P. Pongrac. Recent Advances in 2D Imaging of Element Distribution in Plants by Focused Beam Techniques. In: G. Sablok (eds). Plant Metallomics and Functional Omics. Springer (2019);

viii) D. Metarapi and J.T. van Elteren, “Fundamentals of single particle analysis in biomatrices by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry”, J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 35 (2020) 784-793.

ix) M. Šala, V.S. Šelih, C.C. Stremtan  and   J.T. van Elteren, “Analytical performance of a high-repetition rate laser head (500 Hz) for HR LA-ICP-QMS imaging”, J. Anal. At. Spectrom., in press.