Collaboration between SinuesLab and Jinan University (JNU)

Introduction

The SinuesLab at the University of Basel and Prof. Xue Li’s research group at Jinan University (JNU) have forged a dynamic collaboration focused on pioneering research in advanced mass spectrometry techniques, specifically secondary electrospray ionization (SESI) and extractive electrospray ionization (EESI). Our joint research is driven by the shared goal of innovating real-time analytical methodologies applicable across biomedical, environmental, and clinical fields.

Joint Research Projects

Practical Applications of SESI/EESI for Real-Time Chemical Analysis (2025)

A comprehensive review authored by our collaborative team outlines the versatile applications of SESI and EESI mass spectrometry techniques in real-time chemical analyses, highlighting critical advancements in ionization mechanisms and source configurations. This work emphasizes the broader implications of these methodologies in fields like disease diagnostics, food safety, and environmental monitoring.

https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/mas.21938

Non-invasive In Vivo Isotope Tracing in Mice (2021)

Our most recent project explored the use of SESI-high resolution mass spectrometry for non-invasive real-time monitoring of deuterium/hydrogen (2H/1H) isotopic exchange in mice exposed to heavy water (2H2O). This work identified specific metabolites such as pyruvic acid, lactic acid, lysine, and various short-chain fatty acids, opening new possibilities for non-invasive metabolic pathway analysis.

https://mednexus.org/doi/10.1097/JBR.0000000000000121

Circadian Metabolomics via Real-Time Breathprinting (2014)

In a pioneering proof-of-principle study, our collaboration applied real-time SESI-MS breath analysis to investigate circadian metabolic rhythms in human subjects. Breath samples collected hourly over 24 hours revealed that a substantial proportion of detectable metabolites displayed circadian variation independent of dietary or sleep patterns, underscoring the potential of breathprinting in chronobiological studies.

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0114422

Future Directions

Our collaboration is poised to continue innovating by:

• Enhancing SESI/EESI technologies for increased analytical sensitivity and precision.
• Developing novel real-time biomarkers for clinical and metabolic applications.
• Expanding non-invasive isotopic tracing methodologies for detailed metabolic research.

We look forward to further breakthroughs that bridge fundamental analytical research with impactful real-world applications in healthcare and environmental sciences.