Synopsis
The 13th Annual ADVANCED IMAGING MASS SPECTROMETRY (AIMS.2026) Laboratory Course will be held April 13 – 17, 2026 at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. The AIMS.2026 Laboratory Course is a unique educational opportunity designed to teach the procedures of MALDI Imaging Mass Spectrometry. The format includes both lectures and hands-on workshops with time dedicated to on-site demos from instrument vendors. The course will cover the details of sample preparation, matrix application, instrumentation, and image and data processing. In addition, a number of technology highlights will be presented, including high-speed imaging, high-sensitivity imaging, and image registration.
The course is designed for mid-level to senior investigators who are familiar with MALDI and have a working knowledge of mass spectrometry or histology. This course has a significant number of hands-on workshops scheduled; as a result, we do not have the capacity to introduce the technology to those without the prerequisite experience and training. For attendees that are new to one of these areas, we will provide optional introductory lectures on mass spectrometry and histology on Monday, April 13, from 4-6 PM.
We are also pleased to announce a closing symposium on Friday, April 17, 2026. Everyone registered for AIMS.2026 will be registered for this half-day symposium.
Registration
Registration will open on February 17, 2026. Check back for updates!
Registration dates:
Feb. 17 – March 16, early registration – $750
March 17 – April 3, late registration – $950
We look forward to seeing everyone on April 13th!
Everyone registered before March 16 will be entered into a drawing for a new tablet!
Limit 40 participants
Preliminary Itinerary
Check back for more details!
General Curriculum
Sample Preparation
Sectioning fresh frozen and formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues for IMS experiments; implementing washing protocols tailored for different analytes of interest; maximizing compatibility among sectioning, washing, coating, and MS platforms
Matrix Application
Choosing the best matrix/solvent combination for different analytes of interest; manual matrix application methods, including spray-coating, sublimation, and recrystallization; and automated matrix deposition methods
Instrumentation
Optimizing instrumental parameters for imaging; instrument comparisons for imaging different analytes (low vs high MW, MS or MS/MS, mass resolution, time); interactions with leading instrument vendors for on-site instrument demos
Data Processing
Spectral pre- and post-processing, baseline subtraction, normalization; statistical analysis of IMS datasets and image registration.