Weighing molecules and solving problems

What is mass spectrometry? “Everything we see around us is made up of molecules,” Michiel explains. “Each molecule has a specific weight, which we can measure. When we receive a sample of a substance or tissue, we can use mass spectrometry to determine which molecules are present based on their weight. We go a step further and also visualise the spatial distribution of these molecules. This means we can show where a molecule is located and whether it is present in high or low concentrations. This allows us, for example, to compare different disease states.”

Michiel leads a small research group. “We collaborate a lot with pharmaceutical companies,” he says. “They often want to know exactly where a drug goes in the body and what it does there. We can visualise that, and also look at the proteins, lipids and other molecules, such as glucose. This gives us a complete picture of what is going on. We call this ‘multiomics’, which is very popular at the moment. Pharmaceutical companies want to ensure their drug is effective and has no toxic side effects. We can map all of that using a single technique.”

Two years ago, M4i played a big role in the launching of the master's programme in Imaging and Engineering. “We are involved in the development of the curriculum and also supervise practicals and tutorials,” Michiel says. “We also contribute to many other courses within FHML. I mainly act as a mentor, but I also supervise thesis students and PhD candidates. I really enjoy teaching. It is also a major part of my role at the CORE Facility: explaining what we do and how others can apply it themselves.”

In 2021, Nature named ‘spatial transcriptomics’ Method of the Year. “A cell sends a message to its internal factories to tell them what to produce,” Michiel explains. “We visualise that message, so we know which proteins are being made. Now, we are also working on ‘spatial proteomics’: examining the distribution of those proteins. We can see exactly where things go wrong in a disease and then develop a targeted therapy. We have been working on this for ten years. Nature named spatial proteomics as Method of the Year 2024. That is a great form of recognition for us. For now, our work is still mainly research-focused, but I hope it will eventually have real-world impact. I would love it if something we are doing here one day forms the basis for a solution in the hospital.”

What appeals most to Michiel about his field is the challenge. “That is what science is really about: you are presented with problems, and you have to try to solve them,” he says. “At the start of your career, you mostly do that on your own. Now, I help others. I really enjoy it when people come to me and it turns out that my tip gave them the final push they needed to solve their problem. I do the same in my free time as a tennis coach. Even then I am solving problems, like helping someone improve their technique. I enjoy seeing that moment when my explanation clicks for someone.”

Text and photo: Joëlle van Wissen

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