Denator and Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging Institute Collaborate

Denator AB has entered into a 2-year collaboration with the Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging Institute (M4I) of Maastricht University, the Netherlands. As part of the collaboration, Denator will work closely with the M4I Division of Imaging Mass Spectrometry, headed by university professor Ron Heeren, to jointly develop and evaluate innovative sample stabilization approaches for clinical applications. 

M4I is a state-of-the art molecular imaging institute that brings together innovative imaging technologies. The mission of the institute is to perform fundamental, instrumentation and applied studies in molecular imaging as a part of a translational, synergistic, interdisciplinary research program in a leading international center relevant for science, education, economy and society. The M4I Division of Imaging Mass Spectrometry is one of the world leaders in high resolution molecular imaging of biological surfaces. Prof Heeren’s research group is among others well known for the application of Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI) to molecular histology, the study of functional molecules within living tissues. Over the coming years, Prof. Heeren’s research group will focus on developing and applying mass spectrometry as a diagnostic tool for personalized medicine in oncology, neurology and cardiovascular medicine. 

Prof. Ron Heeren and M4I, have commented the collaboration: “Diagnostics and analytics for personalized medicine will greatly benefit from a standardized approach to stabilize samples, as this enables a validated comparison in and between patient groups. Tissue stability and reproducible sample preparation for peptide and protein imaging experiments on clinical tissue is also a key element of molecular imaging MS, one of the core technologies within M4I. Collaborative studies will be conducted in which new markers for tissue degradation will be investigated that will enable the establishment of a more reliable and validated database for tissue and disease classification. This collaboration is an essential element in the realization of the new sample preparation workflow that is targeted by M4I’s researchers.” 

Olof Sköld, CEO at Denator, stated: “We strongly believe that the Stabilizor system represents a true breakthrough in improving sample preservation, and subsequent analysis, of clinical biological samples. We look forward to working closely together with the leading and well respected researchers at M4I to establish new sample preparation workflows for important research areas such as oncology, neurology and cardiovascular research. We consider this collaboration with M4I to be an important milestone for us to enter into the clinical market segment.”

Denator’s proprietary heat-stabilization technology is an additive-free preservation technology for biological samples which stops degradation and changes immediately and permanently. This ensures a stable sample from the moment of excision until the point of analysis which increases the accuracy and quality of analytical results. 

Implementation of the Stabilizor system in laboratory workflows is reflected in a growing number of peer-reviewed publications. By using heat stabilization, scientists are able to drastically improve the consistency of sample quality and discover new, biologically-relevant information without needing to use inhibitors.