# Pancreas Organ Specific Project

> **NIH NIH U54** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $281,562

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY – Pancreas Organ Specific Project. Comprehensive 3-dimensional biomolecular
analysis within tissues requires the coordination of data from many analytical technologies. We will develop a
multimodal strategy to obtain spatially specific ‘omics’ information directly from human pancreas. This work will
leverage the unique instrumentation capabilities and expertise of the Mass Spectrometry Research Center
(MSRC) in which Professors Spraggins, Caprioli, Schey, Gutierrez and Van de Plas are key personnel. Building
from previous work developing atlases of human kidney tissue, we will integrate ultra-high speed, high spatial
resolution (<10μm) MALDI timsTOF IMS with high mass resolution (>40,000 Resolving Power, <2 ppm mass
accuracy) for molecular imaging of human pancreata with an unprecedented combination of spatial fidelity and
molecular specificity. The high-throughput capabilities of MALDI timsTOF IMS will be critical for generating high-
spatial resolution 3-D molecular images from statistically relevant numbers of normal pancreas samples. MALDI
IMS will provide the specificity and mass accuracy necessary to link ion images to orthogonal LC-based
fragmentation experiments for molecular identification. Fragmentation will be performed using spatially specific
surface sampling approaches to produce LC-MS/MS data from tissues in a manner that is compatible with IMS
and capable of being integrated into HuBMAP tissue atlases. To maximize information gleaned from imaging
experiments and lay the groundwork for data-driven image fusion and 3-D reconstruction outlined in the Data
Analysis Core Research Strategy, we will also develop methods for collecting various microscopy-based image
modalities (e.g. autofluorescence and stained microscopy) and pancreas specific, highly multiplexed
immunofluorescence using CODEX.
 Through the use of our multimodal pipeline, we propose to map spatial relationships of pancreas cell
types within healthy tissue across a multitude of demographics. Aim 1: To create a pancreas-specific
biospecimen collection and management plan. Aim 2: To establish a pre-analytical pipeline for standardizing
sample preparation, determining tissue normalcy, and providing quality control metrics. Aim 3: To develop a
multimodal characterization pipeline for pancreas-specific 3-D molecular imaging. Aim 4: To scale and
standardize pancreas-specific 3-D molecular imaging. To accomplish these aims, we have assembled a highly
interactive and established team of investigators consisting of complementary expertise in endocrinology,
analytical chemistry, and data science.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10480802
- **Project number:** 5U54EY032442-03
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** ALVIN C POWERS
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $281,562
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-30 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10480802

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10480802, Pancreas Organ Specific Project (5U54EY032442-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10480802. Licensed CC0.

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