The laboratory focuses on the study of technologies associated to mass spectrometry as well as of its applications in environmental and biomedical fields. Analytical methods and instruments are developed, based on mass spectrometry, with the aim of obtaining high sensitivity measurements of pollutants. In biomedical field analytical methodologies are developed focusing on specific problems and on the development of imaging instruments associated to mass spectrometry.
Development of analytical chemical and biochemical methodologies
The absorption of drugs and endogenous compounds is analyzed through liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, thanks to the development of analytical methods for pharmacokinetics and the identification of new metabolites. A particular case was that about the behavior of cholesterol after intranasal administration, as a possible therapy for Huntington's disease. Specific methodologies for environmental contaminants, foodstuffs and industrial additives of toxicological relevance are also developed.
Identification of pathological tissues using mass spectrometry for diagnostic purposes
Analytical approaches are developed for histological characterization on a molecular basis. Specific pathologies tissue samples, such as some liver tumors, are analyzed with specific instrumentation, based on mass spectrometry (PESI-Mass Spectrometry), and classified with artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches. At the same time, single characteristics of the different tissues (features) could be identified by metabolomic approaches in order to study the pathology mechanisms.
Development of imaging methods to study drug penetration in the tumor
The laboratory works on analytical systems to perform molecular imaging in tissues. Tissue samples (such as pre- and post-pharmacological tumor biopsies) are collected by using specific methods and then analyzed by mass spectrometry (Mass Spectrometry Imaging MALDI). In this manner it’s possible to study mechanisms able to regulate drug distribution within the tissue and to study the relationships with the cellular microenvironment.
International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.
