Research institutes

M4I Division of Imaging Mass Spectrometry

Developing and applying state-of-the-art mass spectrometry based molecular imaging approaches for nanomedicine and biomedical research, including mass spectrometry as a diagnostic and prognostic tool for personalized medicine in oncology, neurology and cardiovascular medicine.

Fast facts

biomedical cellular and tissue research
division of Imaging Mass Spectrometry, led by Prof. Ron M.A. Heeren
translates molecular insights into clinical solutions
works towards the molecular operating room
focuses on Collaborative Open Research Education (CORE)

News

IMS CORE lab teams up with Cristal Therapeutics
Monday, July 6, 2020

The ICARUS project will be carried out in close collaboration with the IMS CORE lab at the M4I division of Imaging Mass Spectrometry, where CriPec® nanoparticle microlocalisation and drug release in tumours will be evaluated.

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How the coronavirus infects our small intestines
Monday, May 18, 2020

Interview with prof. Peter Peters on the Science article he co-worked on intensively.

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Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infects cells of the intestine
Friday, May 1, 2020

Researchers from the Hubrecht Institute in Utrecht, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, and Maastricht University in the Netherlands have found that the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, can infect cells of the intestine and multiply there.

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Prof. Maarten Honing joins Dutch Chemistry Council
Monday, March 2, 2020 Read more
Realising hair’s information richness
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Interview with Cyrille Depondt, director of Dutch Screening Group (DSG), a spin-off company that originated from Ron Heeren's research.
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ASI: From science to business
Monday, January 13, 2020
Interview with Hans Brouwer, CEO of Amsterdam Scientific Instruments, a spin-off company that originated from professor Ron Heeren's knowledge development.
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"Research serves a higher purpose"
Monday, November 18, 2019
Interview with prof. Ron Heeren because of his winning the NWO Physics Valorisation Prize.
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NWO Physics Valorisation Prize for UM Professor Ron Heeren
Monday, November 18, 2019
This year, the prize for the best knowledge utilisation in physics goes to Ron Heeren (M4I). He works on improving clinical diagnostics by means of mass spectrometry imaging.
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Ron Heeren included on Power List of Top Analytical Scientists
Monday, October 28, 2019
UM professor of Molecular Imaging Ron Heeren has been named to The Analytical Scientist's 2019 Power List.
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Technical feats at 180 degrees below zero
Thursday, April 4, 2019
Frank Nijpels is working on the Vitrojet, a new device that prepares samples for a form of electron microscopy that received the 2017 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
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Research

The M4I Division of Imaging Mass Spectrometry is one of the world leaders in high resolution molecular imaging of biological surfaces. The division targets the development and application of state-of-the-art mass spectrometry based molecular imaging approaches for biomedical cellular and tissue research. Main research aim for the coming years is to develop and apply mass spectrometry as a diagnostic and prognostic tool for personalized medicine.

Education

M4I’s scientists will be involved in teaching at a bachelor's, master's and PhD level, within the University College Maastricht, the Maastricht Science Programme and various programmes within the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences and the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

The New Dawn of Cancer Surgery |
Ron Heeren | TEDxMaastricht Nov 3, 2016
Pioneer prof. dr. Ron Heeren, University professor at Maastricht University and key player in the Top Research Institute M4I (Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging Institute) is at the forefront of technological breakthroughs in oncology, neurology and cardiovascular medicine. Heeren’s team is developing biomedical applications of Mass Spectroscopy Imaging (MSI), or in other words techniques to photograph molecules.