MSI Lab Per Andrén joins SciLifeLab Spatial Omics
2021-09-16
With the launch of national resource Spatial Omics, SciLifeLab consolidates Sweden's advanced position in one of the hottest fields of science. "This gives us the capacity to extract even more detailed knowledge from cell and tissue analyses," states Professor Per Andrén, whose MSI environment is recruited to the new infrastructure.

Spatial Omics is a relatively young area of technology that is quickly becoming a very important part of Life Science. With powerful instruments and large-scale cell analyses in tissue samples, data are generated that constitute key tools for research in fields such as cancer, immunology and neurology. Sweden holds a prominent position in this field and now SciLifeLab is taking the next step with the launch of a national resource for Spatial Omics. The new infrastructure brings together several leading environments, among them Per Andréns' laboratory for Mass Spectrometry Imaging, MSI, at Uppsala University.

“Spatial Omics combines different technologies that together generate a wide range of molecular information, and this new collaboration will give us the capacity to extract extremely detailed molecular knowledge. Our goal is to be able to image individual cells in tissue sections, identify how they are placed in relation to each other and to define their individual tasks and status,” says Per Andrén, Professor of Mass Spectrometry Imaging.
SciLifeLab Spatial Mass Spectrometry is part of the new Spatial and Single Cell Biology platform. Using state-of-the-art instruments, the aim it to automate both the processing and the analysis of samples. A development that will enable both upscaling of quantities and increase the precision in data output. A joint application from four of the units in the platform recently resulted in 29 million SEK funding, resources that are currently being invested in addition to existing instrumentation and expertise.
“Our laboratory in Uppsala is already one of the world's leader in MSI with tools so powerful that the information they generate can be so detailed and complex that they are at times difficult to comprehend. We are now preparing the acquisition of instruments that will further improve spatial resolution and strengthen our capacity to distinguish molecules of identical weight. In parallel, we have initiated recruitments in software development and bioinformatics. In 2022, we expect to have everything in place,” says Per Andrén.
The new infrastructure is primarily a resource for Swedish academic research, but assignments from industry and abroad can be accepted to a certain extent. With the increased capacity to process information, SciLifeLab Spatial Omics will remove the bottleneck that often occur when projects are ready to upscale their production of data. In the foreseeable future, the ambition is to contribute to in-depth understanding of disease mechanisms, more sensitive diagnostics, new drugs and better treatment strategies.
“Our facility is already internationally sought after with a waiting list for our services. Nevertheless, SciLifeLab provides us now with a completely new platform to visualize our facility and to identify new projects where we can contribute to maximise the outcome of good and relevant research. We also have great faith in the synergy effects we identify in a common infrastructure, which will hopefully in the long run attract even more researchers to conduct their studies in Sweden.”
FACTS SCILIFELAB SPATIAL OMICS
- Offers access to technology for spatially resolved RNA, protein and small molecule analyses of histological tissue sections.
- Comprises expertise in
In Situ Sequencing
Spatial Proteomics
Advanced FISH Technologies
Spatial Mass Spectrometry
MORE INFORMATION
- SciLifeLab Spatial Omics
- Research in Medical Mass Spectrometry at Uppsala university
- Uppsala's MSI environment continues to expand
CONTACT
Per Andrén, Professor of Mass Spectrometry Imaging
Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences
per.andren@farmbio.uu.se, 070-1679334
text: Magnus Alsne, photo: Mikael Wallerstedt, SciLifeLab
Research news
-
Many new publications by SweDeliver's junior researchers
2022-06-21
During the spring and early summer, Staffan Berg, Vahid Forooqi Motlaq, Ann-Sofie Persson, Maryam Tofiq and numerous other junior researchers at SweDeliver are publishing results that add valuable knowledge to the fields of drug delivery. ... -
New Podcast: SweDeliver at the Speed Of Life
2022-06-20
Meet Center directors Christel Bergström, SweDeliver, and Cecilia Persson, AM4Life, in a special edition of STUNS podcast Speed of life, discussing the possibilities and challenges that come with coordinating world leading research and competence cen... -
Researcher profile: Anders Karlén coordinates the combat against the invisible enemy
2022-06-09
“As long as disaster does not strike with full force, many prefer to look elsewhere,” says Anders Karlén, Professor of Computer-Aided Drug Design, who after coordinating the European flagship ENABLE now continues the fight against antibiotic-resistan... -
New thesis with focus on microgels as tools for drug delivery
2022-05-24
Tuesday 14 June Yassir Al-Tikriti, PhD student at SweDeliver and Uppsala University’s Department of Medicinal Chemistry, will present his thesis Microgels as drug delivery vehicles: Loading and release of amphiphilic drugs. ... -
Innovation award to new molecules for drugs against covid-19
2022-05-24
With the Attractive Innovation Project Award, the researchers behind CoLD Therapeutics are taking the next step in turning their newly developed substances into a pharmaceutical drug against covid-19. "Our project is attracting a lot of attention and... -
The Faculty of Pharmacy congratulates its new doctors
2022-05-19
In May, Uppsala University traditionally holds a Doctoral Degree Conferment Ceremony, a celebration for those who have received doctorates during the year. This year, the promotion takes place on both 18 and 25 May, since the January promotion had to... -
The Faculty of Pharmacy ready for ULLA Summer School 22
2022-05-11
In early July, Uppsala University’s Faculty of Pharmacy welcomes PhD students and researchers from all over Europe to the ULLA Summer School 22, a unique experience that will bring together the future leaders in international pharmacy. ... -
Several new publications from SweDeliver's junior researchers
2022-04-21
SweDeliver continues to conduct high quality research. In the spring of 2022, Vicky Barmpatsalou, Ilse Dubbelboer, Agnes Rodler and Yassir Al-Tikriti are publishing articles that add important knowledge to the field of parenteral and oral drug delive... -
ENABLE-2 takes the lead in the pursuit of new antibiotics
2022-03-21
The Swedish Research Council's investment in ENABLE-2 has, with support from Vinnova, launched with four projects that are considered very promising in the pursuit for new antibiotics. In the first round of admissions, two projects from Uppsala Unive... -
Insects in the Fyris river carried 33 different pharmaceutical substances
2022-03-18
In a study of insects in the Fyris river, researchers identified traces of 33 different pharmaceutical substances. "In combination, these substances can give unexpected and amplified effects that, when they reach further up the food chain, might also... -
New substances to provide better diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer
2022-03-03
Researchers at Uppsala University have developed two new substances that show positive results for early detection of metastases in prostate cancer. "If only one of our two leads is successful, we hope to be able to help all men suffering from prosta... -
PhD Student competition: Present your research in three minutes
2022-03-02
All PhDs students at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Uppsala University are invited to participate in the qualifying round for a competition where you present your research in a maximum of three minutes. The competition is organised by the Coimbra intern... -
Faculty of Pharmacy welcomes 200 PhD students to ULLA 22
2022-02-10
July 2–9, the Faculty of Pharmacy will be at the center of European pharmaceutical research when Uppsala University hosts the ULLA Summer School. "I am sure that we will all experience a unique summer school that adds important values to both tra... -
New results on stabilising the boundary between collapsed and swollen phases in microgels
2022-02-01
In a new article published in Gels, Yassir Al-Tikriti, PhD student at SweDeliver and the Department of Medicinal Chemistry, presents results supporting the hypothesis that the boundary between collapsed and swollen phases in the same microgel is stab... -
ENABLE-2 ready to lead continued development of new antibiotics
2021-12-21
ENABLE, the EU initiative for antibiotic development led by Uppsala University, will continue its work in ENABLE-2 with financial support from the Swedish Research Council. "An independent committee have chosen between many interesting project propos... -
Experts in pharmaceuticals are positive about future virus control
2021-12-20
“There is much to suggest that in the near future we can fight infectious viruses much faster than today”, says Anders Hallberg, medicinal chemist at Uppsala University and member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Science and its expert group, who in a... -
Several new publications by SweDeliver's junior researchers
2021-12-13
SweDeliver's PhD students and postdocs continue to conduct studies of very high quality. In the autumn of 2021, Vicky Barmpatsalou, Staffan Berg, Vahid Forooqi Motlaq and Irès van der Zwaan have all presented interesting publications. ... -
Present your research at SciFest 2022 – Registration open now
2021-11-01
The Uppsala science festival SciFest returns to Fyrishov. 10–12 March 2022, researchers from Uppsala University and thousands of curious schoolchildren and adults will meet for a variety of activities, shows and lectures. As a researcher at the Facul... -
SEK 25 million to ENABLE-2 and continued development of new antibiotics
2021-10-06
ENABLE, the EU initiative for antibiotic development led by Uppsala University, has received SEK 25 million from the Swedish Research Council to start up ENABLE-2. "We are already accepting project proposals and hope that this investment will inspire... -
MSI Lab Per Andrén joins SciLifeLab Spatial Omics
2021-09-16
With the launch of national resource Spatial Omics, SciLifeLab consolidates Sweden's advanced position in one of the hottest fields of science. "This gives us the capacity to extract even more detailed knowledge from cell and tissue analyses," states... -
Webinar about your possibilities at Testa Center
2021-09-14
Testa Center provides Uppsala University’s researchers access to state-of-the-art equipment for drug and bioprocess development. At the webinar "Academic research in the Testa Center – A testing bed for upscaling your biological innovations", you w... -
Andrea Benediktsdottir is awarded the Iris Scholarship for aspiring women
2021-08-13
Andrea Benediktsdottir, PhD student at the Department of Medicinal Chemistry, is awarded the Iris Scholarship for aspiring women in Sweden. With the scholarship, Andrea Benediktsdottir will participate in an interdisciplinary course focusing on antib... -
SciLifeLab – A national research infrastructure in Uppsala
2021-06-18
SciLifeLab is a national research infrastructure in life sciences with Uppsala University as one of four host universities. Today, SciLifeLab conducts operations at most major Swedish universities. ... -
New research to improve use of amphiphilic drug molecules
2021-05-19
By exploring the aggregation properties of different amphiphilic molecules in microgels, Yassir Al-Tikriti, PhD student at the Department of Medicinal Chemistry, aims to provide tools and knowledge of importance for future cancer therapies and antide... -
New seminar series puts focus on Swedish drug development
2021-04-19
This spring semester, SweDeliver and NextBioForm invite to online lunch seminars. Welcome to experience frontline research with a focus on industrial challenges in drug delivery and the development of biologically based drugs. ... -
Olof Eriksson receives SEK 1,3 million for PET project
2021-04-19
Olof Eriksson, researcher in translational imaging, is awarded a Project Grant of SEK 1,303,000 from Diabetes Wellness Sweden for his project GPR44 as a PET marker for measuring beta cell mass in human. ... -
New biomarkers can lead to breakthrough in diabetes research
2021-04-19
With the discovery of two new biomarkers, Olof Eriksson, researcher in translational imaging, may lead the way to the scientific breakthrough that will enable curative drugs and personalised treatments for diabetes. ... -
Apply for funding for postdoc exchange between the Faculty of Pharmacy and SLU
2021-04-19
Funding is now available for two postdoc exchanges, one hosted by the Faculty of Pharmacy or Fauculty of Medicine at Uppsala University, and one by a department at the SLU Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science ...
Here you can read more research news at the Department of Medicinal Chemistry