Isotope metallomics is the coupling of elemental and isotope geochemistry techniques with the health and medical sciences. In the last two decades, afforded by the innovations in mass spectrometry technologies (e.g., multi-collector ICP-MS capable of ppm accuracy), isotope metallomics has demonstrated how stable metal isotopes can aid in disease diagnostics—e.g., cancer, neurodegeneration, osteoporosis—as well as in deciphering the underlying mechanisms of such diseases. Although there is enormous potential of this field in adding valuable insights into medical inquiry and in the development of medical diagnostics to advance human health, significant gaps persist in the measurement services and measurement science tools needed to obtain the rigorous data quality metrics for accurate diagnostics, prognostics, medical biomarkers, and for untangling the mechanisms of disease. The development and delivery of solution-enabling metrology tools are critical for attaining measurement quality objectives and meeting the needs of the health and medical community.

The isotope metallomics program at NIST focuses on analytical method development, rapid measurement technique development (e.g., orbitrap and high-through put separation techniques (e.g., ESI PrepFAST)), standard reference and proficiency testing materials development and characterization, quality control, new and improved applications, and data modelling and analysis to build a comprehensive measurement science and services portfolio for the Isotope Metallomics community. Opportunities exist to develop and test methods and reference/proficiency test materials to enhance the accuracy/reliability and uncertainty of the methods and accordingly the interpretation and application of isotope metallomics measurement results. A wide variety of analytical techniques including ICP (single- and multi-collector) mass spectrometry, orbitrap (Q-exactive, LUMOS), tandem ICP-MS/MS, laser ablation for spatial analysis, and ESI prep-FAST system as well as clean room facilities are available for this work.

• Mahan B, Chung R, Pountney D, Moynier F and Turner S (2020) Isotope metallomics approaches for medical research. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 77. pp. 3293-3309

key words

isotope; metallomics; reference materials; mass spectrometry; rapid measurement techniques; modelling; data analysis

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral applicants