2511779
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Equipment: MRI: Track 2 - Development of a MALDI trapped ion mobility FT-ICR mass spectrometry platform for high-performance molecular imaging and training.
This instrument development project will construct a next-generation molecular imaging instrument to visualize biological tissues and engineered materials that mimic biological systems.
By integrating advanced laser optics, custom ion source design, gas-phase separation strategies, and high-resolution mass spectrometric analysis, this instrument will provide revolutionary capabilities for visualizing biological molecules.
The new instrument will help expand the understanding of cellular systems.
The project will be conducted in close partnership with leading investigators who are working to solve emerging challenges in biotechnology and human health.
These collaborations are intentionally selected to drive iterative co-development and maximize real-world impact.
The resulting platform will broaden the availability of high-performance imaging capabilities to researchers in academia, federal laboratories, and private industry.
The instrument will be housed within the Vanderbilt University Mass Spectrometry Research Center, a nationally recognized hub for molecular imaging and mass spectrometry, and it will serve to train new generations of researchers.
This project will strengthen national infrastructure, expand access to advanced technologies, and provide advanced capabilities for molecular discovery and biological research.
The instrument to be developed is a state-of-the-art matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry platform that integrates trapped ion mobility spectrometry with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance for high-specificity molecular imaging at cellular spatial resolution.
Leveraging the high-field 15 Tesla magnet from a decommissioned instrument, the project will combine ion mobility gas-phase ion separation with a custom Omnitrap collision cell for multi-mode fragmentation and the ultra-high mass resolving power of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry.
This unique platform will enable deep analysis of isobaric and isomeric chemical species, high spatial resolution molecular imaging (<5 micron pixel sizes), ultra-high mass resolving power (>1,000,000), and comprehensive structural characterization of a wide range of biomolecules.
Housed at the Vanderbilt Mass Spectrometry Research Center, the platform will serve as a cornerstone for interdisciplinary research across biology, engineering, and medicine, and will support extensive training activities through established workshops and collaborative activities.
The system represents a major advance in molecular imaging capabilities, providing the scientific community with a powerful tool for answering complex biological questions, accelerating discovery, and advancing the frontiers of spatial omics.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are not planned for this award.
This instrument development project will construct a next-generation molecular imaging instrument to visualize biological tissues and engineered materials that mimic biological systems.
By integrating advanced laser optics, custom ion source design, gas-phase separation strategies, and high-resolution mass spectrometric analysis, this instrument will provide revolutionary capabilities for visualizing biological molecules.
The new instrument will help expand the understanding of cellular systems.
The project will be conducted in close partnership with leading investigators who are working to solve emerging challenges in biotechnology and human health.
These collaborations are intentionally selected to drive iterative co-development and maximize real-world impact.
The resulting platform will broaden the availability of high-performance imaging capabilities to researchers in academia, federal laboratories, and private industry.
The instrument will be housed within the Vanderbilt University Mass Spectrometry Research Center, a nationally recognized hub for molecular imaging and mass spectrometry, and it will serve to train new generations of researchers.
This project will strengthen national infrastructure, expand access to advanced technologies, and provide advanced capabilities for molecular discovery and biological research.
The instrument to be developed is a state-of-the-art matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry platform that integrates trapped ion mobility spectrometry with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance for high-specificity molecular imaging at cellular spatial resolution.
Leveraging the high-field 15 Tesla magnet from a decommissioned instrument, the project will combine ion mobility gas-phase ion separation with a custom Omnitrap collision cell for multi-mode fragmentation and the ultra-high mass resolving power of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry.
This unique platform will enable deep analysis of isobaric and isomeric chemical species, high spatial resolution molecular imaging (<5 micron pixel sizes), ultra-high mass resolving power (>1,000,000), and comprehensive structural characterization of a wide range of biomolecules.
Housed at the Vanderbilt Mass Spectrometry Research Center, the platform will serve as a cornerstone for interdisciplinary research across biology, engineering, and medicine, and will support extensive training activities through established workshops and collaborative activities.
The system represents a major advance in molecular imaging capabilities, providing the scientific community with a powerful tool for answering complex biological questions, accelerating discovery, and advancing the frontiers of spatial omics.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are not planned for this award.
Awardee
Funding Goals
THE GOAL OF THIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY, "MAJOR RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION PROGRAM:", IS IDENTIFIED IN THE LINK: HTTPS://WWW.NSF.GOV/PUBLICATIONS/PUB_SUMM.JSP?ODS_KEY=NSF23519
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding Agency
Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Nashville,
Tennessee
37203-2416
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
Vanderbilt University was awarded
Revolutionary Molecular Imaging Platform for Biological Discovery
Project Grant 2511779
worth $4,000,000
from the NSF Office of Integrative Activities in July 2025 with work to be completed primarily in Nashville Tennessee United States.
The grant
has a duration of 5 years and
was awarded through assistance program 47.083 Integrative Activities.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity Major Research Instrumentation Program.
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 8/21/25
Period of Performance
7/15/25
Start Date
6/30/30
End Date
Funding Split
$4.0M
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$4.0M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2511779
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Private Institution Of Higher Education
Awarding Office
490702 DIVISION OF CHEMICAL BIOENGINEERING
Funding Office
490106 OFFICE OF INTEGRATIVE ACTIVITIES
Awardee UEI
GTNBNWXJ12D5
Awardee CAGE
5E694
Performance District
TN-05
Senators
Marsha Blackburn
Bill Hagerty
Bill Hagerty
Modified: 8/21/25