The National Centre of Excellence in Mass Spectrometry Imaging (NiCE-MSI) focuses on the development, understanding and application of mass spectrometry imaging techniques; providing powerful eyes on the molecular and atomic world.

Research Areas

• Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry
• Ambient mass spectrometry
• Matrix-assisted laser desorption / ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) techniques provide powerful eyes on the molecular and atomic world: From the localisation of drugs and metabolites in cells and tissues to 3D imaging of advanced manufactured devices.

The National Centre of Excellence in Mass Spectrometry Imaging (NiCE-MSI) aims to advance the development, understanding and application of the principal mass spectrometry imaging techniques: Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), matrix assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), and the family of atmospheric mass spectrometry techniques (DESI, LESA, PADI).

The objectives of NiCE-MSI are:

• Understanding the fundamental principles and phenomena behind MSI techniques
• Developing metrology for reliable measurement and standardisation in MSI
• Innovation of novel instrumentation and validating emerging MSI applications
• Data analytics for machine learning, visualisation and interpretation of MSI data
• Supporting industrial, academic and government partners through collaborative R&D and measurement services
• Training a new generation of scientists in MSI through collaborative PhD studentships and secondments

NiCE-MSI News

• Innovative molecular imaging instrument launched to provide new insights into drug discovery and cell biology
• NPL and AstraZeneca highlight mass spectrometry imaging's potential in drug discovery
• NPL scientists set to create 'Google Earth' of cancer tumours
• The 3D OrbiSIMS, the revolutionary instrument built in the 3D OrbiSIMS project, arrived at NPL this week
• NPL's Ichiro Mihara has used NiCE-MSI's new FIB-TOF-SIMS (installed in March 2016) to produce a secondary ion mass spectrometry image of the group's logo
• Insights: Mass spectrometry imaging in cancer research
• Melissa Passarelli wins the UKSAF Vickerman Prize
• Science & Technology Day and 3D nanoSIMS launch event - NiCE-MSI is hosting a one-day science and technology meeting on 29 November 2016, plus an interactive workshop for introduction-level software and computational analysis of MSI data. Find out more and register
• NiCE-MSI expands capacity and capability with ION-TOF TOF-SIMS.5 instrument
• NPL shortlisted for Cancer Research UK's Grand Challenge award
• Vacancy for a Senior Lecturer/Reader in pharmaceutical innovation and manufacturing metrologies at the University of Strathclyde and NPL Scotland
• NPL chairs successful Royal Society Scientific Meeting on Mass Spectrometry Imaging - Listen to the audio track at the Royal Society
• NPL Scotland - Vacancy for Principal/Senior Research Fellow to lead Pharmaceutical Innovation and Manufacturing Metrologies Theme
• Revealing the hidden meaning in mass spectrometry images
• PhD studentship opportunity at NPL and the University of Strathclyde
• A collaboration involving NPL has demonstrated a new, non-invasive test that can detect cocaine use through a simple fingerprint
• NPL research examines one of the most significant unresolved issues in secondary ion mass spectrometry: the matrix effect
• Imaging the future: mass spectrometry imaging and NiCE-MSI featured in Chemistry World
• NPL presents research at SIMS Europe 2014
• A project involving NPL that aims to reduce the numbers of animals used in medical testing has won £1 million of funding
• NiCE-MSI research presented at ASMS-62
• NPL helping to CRACK IT: Funding awarded to NPL by the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs)
• The Interface and Surface Analysis Centre (ISAC) launches at the University of Nottingham (UoN) - ISAC is a collaborative initiative between UoN and NPL
• NiCE-MSI initiates exciting new project to develop a 3D label-free molecular imaging system with nanometric spatial resolution