Evaluation of Polymer Induced Biostasis via MALDI Imaging Mass Spectrometry
Abstract
The labs of Drs. Chris Bowman, Kristi Anseth and Sabrina Spencer are currently pursuing means of reversibly inducing stasis in therapeutic biomolecules, in living cells, in tissues and in organs via reversible, stimuli-responsive inhibition of macromolecular diffusion. This approach will be accomplished by exogenously triggering the formation of crosslinked hydrogel networks that block normal transport of proteins, organelles and other sub-cellular components. An orthogonal stimulus will subsequently degrade the network, allowing biological transport processes to resume without significant deleterious effects on biological function. Such capability would improve storage and transport of biological therapeutics, mitigating the need for an infrastructure of refrigeration that is difficult to accommodate during large scale natural disasters, in developing countries and in battlefield situations. Additionally, the ability to place wounded tissue in stasis until a patient could be transported to an appropriate care facility would improve first aid in those situations in which immediate access to hospitals is limited. In order to accomplish this reversible, induced biostasis, hydrogel precursors (large, hydrophobic polymers bearing many functional groups) must be developed that are transported to their required location (often intracellularly), crosslinked upon exogenous stimulus and degrade upon application of an orthogonal stimulus. Biological responses at each and every step of stasis induction and reversal must be thoroughly characterized to ensure resumption of normal, healthy function. The ability to achieve these far-reaching aims depends critically on the successful development, assessment and implementation of the necessarily complex macromolecular structures. While the materials and biological characterization equipment, both in the labs of key project personnel and within the shared facilities on campus, are generally well suited to the demands of this project, the objectives would be well served by the availability of a MALDI mass spectrometry system that would provide precise measurements of molecular weights and polymer structure in both synthetic and tissue culture samples, advancing research capabilities in practically every aspect of the Photoreversible Biostasis project. Of particular benefit will be a system with the capability to perform imaging mass spec (IMS) experiments, wherein regiospecific information regarding molecular weight profiles is preserved by the analysis of tissue and organ sections. To improve the characterization of synthesized materials as well as the analysis of biological interaction with the polymers, the Shimadzu MALDI-7090 mass spectrometer represents the best available option to provide the desired capabilities, and a proposal to purchase this instrument is presented herein.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 09, 2020
- Source ID
- W911NF2010047
Entities
People
- Christopher N. Bowman
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of Colorado Boulder