Sara Barreto ( Poster and Three Minute Thesis )
School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering
Poster
Investigation of the Volatilome of Human Embryonic Stem Cells using Selected Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry
Human pluripotent stem cells ( hPSCs ) have gathered tremendous attention as they have multiple applications in regenerative medicine . It is not surprising that their cellular mechanisms , including metabolism , are being intensely studied . However , most of the current knowledge regarding hPSC metabolism results from assumptions based on cancer studies . Therefore , there is a need for more research focusing on the metabolism of hPSCs to provide more accurate data on how metabolites influence the cells ' functions . Furthermore , cellular metabolomics is challenging since cells ' metabolomes are incredibly diverse , requiring large-scale qualitative and quantitative analytical platforms to measure such diversity . Unfortunately , such platforms are frequently destructive and require complicated sample preparation procedures that prevent real-time analysis . A potential technique that overcomes these issues is selected ion flow tube-mass spectrometry ( SIFT- MS ). SIFT-MS is a non-invasive approach that analyses the volatile metabolites released by cells , which could provide invaluable information regarding their metabolic processes . This study aims to identify a Volatile Organic Compound ( VOC ) profile of hPSCs using SIFT-MS . This will demonstrate that SIFT-MS can be used to identify and characterise stem cells noninvasively . Additionally , it will help identify a VOC blueprint for pluripotency and self-renewal and potentially enhance the understanding of metabolome dynamics of stem cells .
Three Minute Thesis
The Scent of Stem Cells
Human pluripotent stem cells ( hPSCs ) are cells capable of dividing indefinitely and generating all the cell types of the human body . Because of these two unique abilities , hPSCs have a wide range of biomedical applications , which could revolutionise current medicine . Therefore , it is not surprising that researchers are putting tremendous effort into studying the mechanisms that regulate hPSCs ' functions . Cellular metabolism encompasses biochemical reactions and their products ( metabolites ) needed for cells ' survival . It is a crucial regulator of cells ' behaviour and functions . Studying their metabolism could provide invaluable information about how particular cellular processes work . Unfortunately , hPSC metabolism remains largely unexplored , with most current knowledge resulting from cancer studies ' assumptions . Therefore , more research is needed focusing on the metabolism of hPSCs to provide more accurate information on how metabolites influence the cells ' functions . However , measuring the extremely diverse metabolome ( the collection of all the metabolites ) is challenging , requiring complex equipment that is frequently destructive and needs complicated sample preparation methods . An alternative technique that overcomes these problems is selected ion flow tube-mass spectrometry ( SIFT-MS ). SIFT-MS analyses the gases ( volatile metabolites ) released by cells . Such volatiles could give information regarding the metabolic processes occurring in cells . This study aims to identify a volatile blueprint for hPSCs by examining the gases they produce using SIFT-MS . This research forms the basis for a novel field in which stem cells ' metabolic processes can be observed non-invasively and in real-time .
Postgraduate Conference 2021 Page 12