Real time tissue characterisation using mass spectrometry
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Real time tissue characterisation using mass spectrometry
IRAS ID
124247
Contact name
Zoltan Takats
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Research summary
This work will use a new approach to determine whether the nature of human tissue can be accurately identified within the operating theatre in real time. This study will use a scientific method based on computational analysis of spectral information generated from mass spectrometric analysis of the smoke plume generated when tissue is cut using electrosurgery. The technique is known as Rapid Evaporative Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (REIMS) and uses the tissue specific ions released during electrosurgical dissection to provide information on the nature of the tissue. We plan to carry out a validation study, applying this technique to the identification of malignant tissue in a range of biological systems to validate and optimise this technique in multiple tissue pathologies within a heterogenous group of tissue types to assess the suitability of this technique as a tool for intra-operative tissue diagnostics in widespread surgical and endoscopic practice. In order to do this we must collect and validate spectral data from wide ranging tissue types from normal, inflammed, dysplastic and malignant from multiple organ systems. We will validate our results using conventional histopathology and also using using another method of tissue metabolite profiling known as Desorption Electrospray Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (DESI). We will also investigate the potential for REIMS and DESI to identify microbes within these tissues using standard microbial culture and metagenomic sequencing by ’454 pyrosequencing.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EE/0024
Date of REC Opinion
8 May 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion