All elements with ≥2 isotopes show natural variation in their isotopic composition as a result of
fractionation effects. The corresponding differences in isotope ratios can be revealed and quantified
using multi-collector ICP-mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). High-precision isotopic analysis of
essential mineral elements in a biomedical context is relevant because isotope ratios are more
sensitive than element concentrations in picking up changes in biochemical reactions and/or can
contain information that is not embedded in element concentrations. As a result, isotopic analysis of
essential mineral elements can be used to unravel biochemical processes, while it also shows great
promise as a diagnostic/prognostic tool in medicine. Most often however, samples are digested prior
to isotopic analysis, as a result of which species-specific information and/or spatial variation are
erased. This project aims to develop novel tools by combining laser ablation (LA) with MC-ICP-MS for
spatially resolved isotopic analysis and by combining capillary electrophoresis (CE) with MC-ICP-MS
for species-specific isotopic analysis. After method development, optimization and validation, these
methods will be used in the context of cancer research and in studies of neurological disorders. By
producing adequate reference materials, the project will also provide means for enhancing the
reliability and traceability of such isotope ratio data