The UCSF IHG, CAT, and CoLabs co-host the technology seminar series, where you can stay informed about the latest technological advancements from various partners in the industry.
Join us for a seminar with Dr. Michael Easterling, Vice President of Imaging at Bruker Daltonics, exploring how MALDI mass spectrometry imaging can complement spatial transcriptomics by connecting gene programs to the molecules they produce. With extensive experience in MRMS, MALDI imaging, instrument and applications development, and collaborations across academia and industry, Dr. Easterling will share insights into the capabilities and applications of these technologies in spatial molecular research. The session will highlight how spatial molecular imaging can map lipids, N-glycans, metabolites, neuropeptides, and modified proteins directly from tissue while preserving their anatomical context. Attendees will learn how combining MALDI imaging with transcriptomic maps can provide a more complete view of molecular activity in nervous tissue and help uncover chemical differences between cells with similar transcript profiles. The talk will also explore how trapped ion mobility adds collision cross section as a second coordinate alongside mass, helping distinguish isobaric species and improve molecular identification. Practical considerations including sample preparation, lipid and glycan annotation, pixel size and acquisition time, and registration between imaging and transcriptomic datasets will also be discussed. The session will conclude with an open discussion about applications in neuroscience, spatial biology, and opportunities to integrate complementary molecular imaging approaches into your research.