Value Proposition
· Enhanced Fluorescence Intensity: Increases signal strength, enabling detection of molecules that are undetectable with traditional fluorescence microscopy and imaging techniques
· Improved Efficiency: Requires less dye to achieve strong fluorescence signals and protects the sample from oxidative degradation, reducing reagent costs and acquisition time
· Integrated Workflow: Enables imaging of the same biological sample by both fluorescence microscopy and MALDI imaging within a single, simultaneous workflow (FluoMALDI)
Unmet Need
· Fluorescent microscopy, MALDI imaging, and their integration are essential tools for visualizing biological samples. PubMed list approximately 28,000 publications per year related to “fluorescence” over the past decade (as of July 2, 2025).
· Current fluorescence microscopy techniques struggle to detect molecules near their detection threshold. Additionally, existing methods of combining fluorescent microscopy with MALDI imaging are constrained by low fluorescence intensity and sample degradation.
· Thus, there exists a strong need for a simple method to enhance overall fluorescence signals with greater efficiency and improved integration with MALDI imaging.
Technology Description
· Researchers at Johns Hopkins have developed a method to enhance fluorescent signals for standard fluorescence and combined fluorescence- MALDI imaging workflows.
· This method utilizes aromatics additives to increase signal strength, reducing dye requirements and acquisition time while protecting samples from oxidative degradation. It also enables seamless integration of fluorescent microscopy with MALDI imaging.
Stage of Development
· This technology has demonstrated proof of concept with successful and published experiments.
Data Availability
· Data available upon request.
Publication
E. Yang, X. E. Shen, H. West-Foyle, T.-H. Hahm, M. A. Siegler, D. R. Brown, C. C. Johnson, J. H. Kim, L. A. Roker, C. M. Tressler, I. Barman, S. C. Kuo, K. Glunde, FluoMALDI Microscopy: Matrix Co-Crystallization Simultaneously Enhances Fluorescence and MALDI Imaging. Adv. Sci. 2023, 10, 2304343. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202304343
Wanyue Wang, Tae-Hun Hahm, Dalton R. Brown, Cole C. Johnson, Gabriella Lagdameo, Caitlin Tressler, Kristine Glunde, "Comparative analysis of fluorophore-MALDI matrix interactions in solid and liquid phases to investigate fluorescence enhancement effects in FluoMALDI imaging," Proc. SPIE 13339, Reporters, Contrast Agents, and Molecular Probes for Biomedical Applications XVI, 1333907 (21 March 2025); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3039312
Tae-Hun Hahm, Wanyue Wang, Maxime A. Siegler, Dalton R. Brown, Caitlin M. Tressler, Scot C. Kuo, Kristine Glunde, "Comparative analysis of autofluorescence enhancement and MALDI imaging in the FluoMALDI pipeline using different matrix application methods: sublimation versus spraying," Proc. SPIE 13323, Imaging, Manipulation, and Analysis of Biomolecules, Cells, and Tissues XXIII, 1332306 (19 March 2025); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3039138
Tae-Hun Hahm, Kristine Glunde, Alison Scott, "FluoMALDI imaging of the immune response for label-free in situ identification of phagocytes in Francisella novicida-infected mouse tissues," Proc. SPIE PC13323, Imaging, Manipulation, and Analysis of Biomolecules, Cells, and Tissues XXIII, PC133230F (20 March 2025); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3041947
