Application of TOF-SIMS imaging to C. elgans

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25440082
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Cell biology
• Research Institution: Kanagawa University of Human Services (2015); Hamamatsu University School of Medicine (2013-2014)
• Principal Investigator: Kimura Yoshishige 神奈川県立保健福祉大学, 保健福祉学部, 准教授 (90274703)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): SETOU Mitsutoshi 浜松医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (20302664)
• Research Collaborator: HAMEED Saira ; GOTO Kensuke ; ISHIZAKI Itsuko ; SANADA Noriaki ; SUZUKI Mayumi
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 質量分析イメージング法 / TOF-SIMS / 線虫 / メタボローム

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) is a two-dimensional mass spectrometry to visualize the spatial distribution of biomolecules, which does not need either separation or purification of target molecules. In this study, our goal is to reveal the cellar distribution of biomolecules of C. elegans (a commonly used model organism for the life science) by application of IMS approach. Since C. elegans is a small animal, we have used TRIFT V, TOF-SIMS (Time-of-Flight Secondary Mass Spectrometry) system (ULVAC-PHI, Inc), which enables us to obtain nanoscale microstructure. By comparison of several sample preparation methods, the frozen sections of C. elegans fixed by paraformaldehyde (PFA) were most suitable for TOF-SIMS analysis. By sputtering of Ar gas cluster ion beam (Ar-GCIB), the sensitivity to fatty acids (e.g. stearic acid (SA), oleic acid (OA), and eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA)) was significantly enhanced, and high resolution images of biomolecules were successfully acquired.

Free Research Field

解剖学，細胞生物学，分子遺伝学