Our research

At the Elemental Bio-Imaging Facility (EBiF) our research focuses strongly on applying cutting edge techniques research problems that include understanding metal metabolism, disease biomarker discovery, spatial localisation and quantitation of proteins, sugars, prosthetic groups, drugs or nanoparticles and 3D mapping of sites of inflammation in tissues. Some of our current research projects include:

Three-dimensional brain map

Using novel methods developed in-house, we were the first to report a three dimensional elemental reconstruction of the mouse brain region containing the substantia nigra of a Parkinson’s disease mouse model using by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass (LA-ICP-MS). This will provide the basis for ongoing research into understanding the disruption of metal homeostatis in neurogenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease and for development of novel therapeutic interventions. These techniques have the potential for application to other organs in health and disease.

Dietary biomarkers

Innovations at the EBiF have allowed the determination of dietary biomarkers applicable to both modern and fossil samples, which were not previously able to be achieved. This technology was applied to determining the barium distribution in the tooth of a juvenile Neanderthal providing insights into the individual’s nutritional status. This technology has application to examining the causes of the lifestyle-related diseases of the twenty-first century.

Localisation of biochemically relevant species in tissues

2D and 3D spatial localisation and quantitation of specific proteins, sugars and prosthetic groups within tissues in health and disease will provide fundamental information about their changes during disease processes allowing development of novel pharmacological and/or lifestyle interventions for metabolic, regulatory, infectious and inflammatory diseases. We have several current projects in this area looking at neurological degeneration, carcinogensis and metastasis, imaging of inflammatory foci at mucosal surfaces and arthritic changes.

Environmental contaminants

In the increasingly industrialised world, there is an urgency to quantify the levels of metallic and nanoparticle pollutants that partition from the environment to the food chain. It is also important to understand why they accumulate in specific organs. Using LA-ICP-MS we are working with models of marine pollution to discover why this is happening.