Key Trends from Inside the Michigan Mass Spectrometry Symposium
/The Michigan Mass Spectrometry Discussion Group Symposium, held March 18, 2026 at the Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids, brought together academic, industry, and technical experts focused on advancing the field of mass spectrometry. Through research presentations and discussion sessions, attendees explored emerging applications, technical challenges, and future directions.
Representing TSRL, John Takyi-Williams, PhD, Senior Research and Project Scientist, Analytical, attended the symposium and shared several key observations.
Advancements in MALDI Imaging Mass Spectrometry
A keynote presentation by Dr. Stacy Malaker of Yale University focused on biomarker discovery through mucin glycoproteins using MALDI imaging mass spectrometry. The group is also developing glycoproteomic software to improve identification of complex glycosylation patterns, highlighting the growing importance of data analysis tools.
Additional presentations showed how MALDI imaging continues to expand in application. Research from the University of Michigan demonstrated visualization of cancer metabolism and spatial metabolite distribution in liver tissue. Work from Michigan State University used ion mobility with MALDI imaging to study PFOS distribution in mouse liver, revealing differences in exposure across tissue regions.
The Ongoing Challenge in Metabolomics
A presentation from Michigan State University addressed challenges in metabolomics interpretation, particularly limitations in available software tools. Many researchers rely on a mix of open-source solutions, which can affect confidence in results.
Electron activated dissociation was presented as a potential alternative fragmentation approach. However, this method may depend on prior knowledge of metabolites, which could limit broader use. The discussion emphasized the need for continued software development to improve metabolite identification and data interpretation.
Insights from Lipidomics Research
A lipidomics poster presentation from Paul Kennedy, PhD, Vice President of Chemistry at Caymen Chemical, explored cardiolipin remodeling using both targeted and untargeted methods, which showed how researchers can gain a more complete understanding of biologically relevant lipid systems.
This type of work highlights how combining methods can strengthen insight rather than relying on a single approach.
Collaboration as a Driver of Progress
A discussion on collaboration between core facilities and industry chaired by Ryan Sheldon, PhD, head of the mass spectrometry core at the Van Andel Institute, highlighted several opportunities and challenges.
Some of the highlights included the possible collaboration between the core facilities in the university and industry, with potential challenges such as lack of proper documentation and project deadlines noted. Moreover, opportunities for inter-core facilities collaboration such as skills transfer and software were identified, as well as emphasis on the need for collaborative training of young analytical scientists. An overall shortage of well-trained (bio)analysists is a recognized issue in the industry.
A consistent theme across the symposium was that while instrumentation continues to advance, the next phase of progress will depend on data analysis, software development, and collaboration. As datasets grow more complex, the ability to translate results into meaningful insight will become increasingly important.
For teams working in preclinical development, this reinforces the value of combining strong analytical capability with thoughtful scientific interpretation. At TSRL, this approach helps guide how data is evaluated and used to support early development decisions. When data leads to clear direction, programs can move forward with greater confidence.
Learn more about our leadership and connect with the team at https://www.tsrlinc.com/leadership.
