Research

次世代MS装置イメージ図

 We will develop an ultra-high-sensitivity and high-selectivity next-generation MS system (new pretreatment, ionization, mass separation/detection/measurement, and data analysis method) in this project.

 Searching for biomarker candidates for cancer and Alzheimer’s disease in actual clinical samples and healthy control samples is used to evaluate and verify the individual MS technologies developed by the project and to evaluate and verify next-generation MS systems that combine them.

 In addition, it contributes to clinical care by contributing to the development of early diagnostic procedures.

illustration of theme 1

 We aim to develop the world’s highest performance mass spectrometry system with selectivity and sensitivity roughly 10,000 times higher than its predecessor. This will be accomplished by narrowing down the target compounds based on hypothesis; improving pre-processing methods to identify target materials; developing techniques to efficiently ionize compounds which are collectable only in small amounts; developing an ultra-sensitive, high-resolution mass spectrometer capable of observing even subtle structural differences; and developing analysis software to derive meaningful information from the obtained spectra.

illustration of theme 1

 In particular, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption / Ionization (MALDI), which has become the mainstream method for the ionization of biomolecules, was developed from Soft Laser Desorption that was invented by the team leader, and for which he received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2002. Since making this invention 25 years ago, he has continued to enhance its sensitivity and versatility, and for this, as well as for the invention, he is highly regarded in the world’s scientific community.