Abstract: Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI) is an ex vivo approach used to map the distribution of biomolecules within thin sections of tissue. Within the broader context of the ‘Omics paradigm, where metabolism is occurring in specific cells and tissues in an organism provides important information on function. This seminar will introduce mass spectrometry imaging, how it works and what’s possible including multi-omics approaches using examples from across the biosciences. Then examine longitudinal spatial mapping of lipid turnover (flux) in a transgenic mouse model of Huntington’s disease where changes in lipid metabolism were observed well before the onset of disease. The use of stable isotope labelling strategies and an in-house developed software, KineticMSI, will be demonstrated to specifically identify pre-symptomatic changes in hippocampi neuronal cell body and lipids involved in membrane trafficking and dynamics.

Biography: A/Professor Berin Boughton is Principal Research Fellow leading the Mass Spectrometry Imaging facility. He has a background in organic chemistry, metabolomics and has been instrumental in introducing the field of Spatial Metabolomics using MSI approaches to Australia. Berin obtained his BSc (Hons, 1^st Class)(Chemistry and Pharmacology) and PhD (Chemistry) from the University of Melbourne (2010), was employed with NCRIS funded Metabolomics Australia 2009-2019 at the University of Melbourne. Then at the Australian National Phenome Centre 2020-2023 focussing upon metabolomics and ultra-high resolution Magnetic Resonance Mass Spectrometry (MRMS). He has published >80 journal articles and book chapters, actively contributes to the development of Mass Spectrometry in Australia, past member of Australian & New Zealand Society for Mass Spectrometry Executive Committee, Short Course coordinator for the highly successful International Mass Spectrometry Society Conference 2024.

His research interests are focused upon Bio-Analytical Chemistry in the fields of Metabolomics and Spatial 'Omics including metabolomics, proteomics and glycomics using Magnetic Resonance mass spectrometry and Trapped Ion Mobility mass spectrometry applied to a wide range of biological systems. Specific areas of research in human health include eye and neurological diseases (Huntington’s), endometriosis, cardiovascular disease (atherosclerosis), and more broadly in biology plant metabolomics and plant pathology.