SP Swedish National Testing and Research Institute, Department of Chemistry and Materials Technology
SP Swedish National Testing and Research Institute is a polytechnic research institute and also the National Metrology Institute of Sweden. The Department of Chemistry and Materials Technology has a strong competence on chemical analysis techniques, especially mass spectrometric techniques (ICP-MS, LC-MS-MS, TOF-SIMS and TOF-MALDI-MS). The TOF-SIMS instrument at SP (TOF-SIMS IV, ION-TOF, GmbH) is equipped with a liquid metal cluster ion source (Aun+, Bin+), a Cs+ liquid metal source and a C60+ electron impact ion source. One research focus at the department is the development of advanced analytical techniques, including TOF-SIMS applications for biological materials. SP acts as the coordinator for the NANOBIOMAPS project and is responsible for the development of sample preparation techniques and for optimization of TOF-SIMS analysis conditions.
Westfälische-Wilhelms Universität Münster, Department of Physics
http://www.uni-muenster.de/Physik/PI/Arlinghaus/
The physics department at the University of Münster (Germany) has an excellent track record in applying TOF-SIMS and laser-SNMS to detect, quantify and image ultratrace elements and molecules with very high sensitivity and efficiency in complex samples. It is currently running the world's leading laboratory for fundamental research and applications development of TOF-SIMS and laser-SNMS. The laboratories of Prof. Arlinghaus are equipped with six TOF-SIMS instruments including five laser systems for post-ionization of sputtered neutrals (resonant, single-photon, nonresonant and femtosecond laser-SNMS). A new combined high-repetition TOF-SIMS/laser-SNMS/UHV-cryomicrotome analysis system was recently constructed and can be used for 3d elemental and molecular imaging with nanometer scale resolution. In NANOBIOMAPS, the University of Münster is responsible for sample preparation techniques, for optimizing TOF-SIMS/laser-SNMS for analysing biological samples and for development of statistical analysis methods.
ION-TOF GmbH
ION-TOF GmbH (Germany) is the leading manufacturer of high-end instrumentation for TOF-SIMS and laser-SNMS analysis. One of the company´s founders, Professor Benninghoven has, since the technique was developed in his research laboratory at University of Münster during the 1980’s, been the front person for the TOF-SIMS/laser-SNMS community, leading the technological and applications development of these techniques. ION-TOF will be responsible for the instrumentation development within the project, and also perform software development and validation analyses on biological samples.
Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurology and Centre for Molecular Medicine
Karolinska Institutet (Sweden) is one of Europe’s leading medical universities and Sweden’s largest centre for medical training and research. The Center for Molecular Medicine, CMM, which is based at Karolinska University Hospital and closely affiliated with Karolinska Institutet has the aim to join clinical and experimental research to give a solid basis for the prevention, diagnostics and treatment of the common diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, allergies and atherosclerosis. CMM has in-house expertise in the molecular biology of disease, and contacts on a daily basis with relevant clinicians such as neurologists, oncologists and clinical cytologists. The partner has many years´ experience with tissue treatments for histology, in situ hybridization, receptor autoradiography and immunohistochemistry, which can be adapted for use with TOF-SIMS. Karolinska Institutet will provide test samples of high biological and clinical relevance to the project as well as biological/clinical expertise. In addition, the Karolinska participants will be able to quickly disseminate the TOF-SIMS methodology to hundreds of the most influential medical practitioners through seminars and hands-on demonstration sessions.
Glasgow University, Centre for Cell Engineering
http://www.gla.ac.uk/centres/cellengineering/
Glasgow University (United Kingdom), Centre for Cell Engineering, CCE is one of Europe’s leading research groups on cell engineering and nanobiology. It was founded at the end of 1996 through collaboration between Professor Adam Curtis (Cell Biology) and Professor Chris Wilkinson (Nano-Electronic Engineering) to further research into Cell and Tissue Engineering. Now headed by Dr Mathis Riehle, the CEE’s research is focusing on cell-surface interaction, including cell reactions to nanotopograhy, -chemistry and surface mechanical properties. Glasgow University will bring into the project its expertise on cell biology and techniques for characterization of cells, and provide model systems and biological test samples for analysis. In addition, the Glasgow Group will be able to quickly adopt the TOF-SIMS methodology into its current research activities in nanobiotechnology and tissue engineering, and to disseminate results from the project to their extensive network in this field.
Lund University, Department of Solid State Physics
Lund University (Sweden), Department of Solid State Physics, has an internationally well recognized activity in the area of nanotechnology, recently extended to life science via the opening of a new professor position in Nanoscience for Biophysics (F. Höök). The research includes micro- and nano-fabrication and patterning of surfaces for specific bio-functionality, with focus on the development of platforms for biosensors and microarrays. The research also includes basic research on supported phospholipid assemblies with or without reconstituted membrane proteins and optical (bio)sensing using photo-active nanostructures. Dr Höök has gained international recognition for the development of the QCM-D technology and its application for studies of supported lipid assemblies as templates for specific biorecognition. Lund’s role in the project is to develop and provide well-defined model systems and to provide biophysics expertise.
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