This offers significant advantages over conventional methods of analysis and can be used to study for example the distribution of anti-cancer drugs in tumours and to monitor the development of bacterial infections. Imaging MS can be used to study the distribution of non-radiolabelled compounds within biological tissue. This development work is carried out in collaboration with Waters Corporation, Manchester UK and Elforlight Lid, Daventry UK and has led to one patent on improvements in MALDI sensitivity.ĭevelopment of mass spectrometric methods for the detection of xenobiotics and endogenous compounds in biological tissue In particular a range of projects are in progress which are concerned with the utilisation of matrix assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) for imaging the distribution of xenobiotics and endogenous compounds in biological tissue.ĭevelopment of new techniques in mass spectrometryįor example imaging MALDI-MS. Mass spectrometry (MS) is used to solve a range of bioanalytical problems. In recent years I have become interested in how the combination of mass spectrometry imaging with 3D cell culture can be developed to provide a powerful platform for early stage safety and efficacy testing of drugs and toxicants.īiomedical and environmental mass spectrometry My research interests cover the development and application of techniques in mass spectrometry imaging. I am a member of the Executive Advisory Board of the Journal 'Proteomics' and was UK Management Representative for EU COST Action BM1104 Mass Spectrometry Imaging: New Tools for Healthcare Research 2012-2015. I lead the Imaging and MALDI Special Interest Group of the British Mass Spectrometry Society and was awarded the Society's Lectureship 2006-2008. I have been Director of Studies for 35 PhD completions including a number of split and part-time PhDs. I have published 117 papers, one book and three book chapters.

I completed my undergraduate degree in Applied Chemistry at Sheffield City Polytechnic in 1981 and my PhD in 'Strategies for Protein and Peptide Analysis by Fast Atom Bombardment Mass Spectrometry' as a collaborative project between Manchester Polytechnic and The University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology in 1988. I was appointed to Sheffield Hallam University in 1990 having spent a time in the scientific instrument industry working for VG (now Waters) and Kratos Analytical (now Shimadzu).

Malcolm by S.J. West