Subscribe to Newsletter
Fields & Applications Mass Spectrometry

Introducing “SynTOF” – and Its Potential Impact on Alzheimer’s

A recently developed technique, dubbed synaptometry by time-of-flight (SynTOF), combines flow cytometry with time-of-flight mass spectrometry, allowing scientists to examine tens of millions of individual human single-synapse events using 38 antibody probes (1). Specifically, the technique allowed Stanford University researchers to compare and contrast human brains without pathologic change or with pure Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or Lewy body disease (LBD).

By applying machine-learning approaches to the dataset, the technique not only confirmed pre-established differences, such as reduced caudate dopamine transporter in LBD and increased hippocampal pathologic tau in AD, but also offered new insights; for example, increased hippocampal CD47 and lowered DJI proteins in AD, and higher ApoE proteins in AD with dementia. 

Given that next-best alternatives for such analyses – namely, array tomography and conventional flow cytometry – hit a ceiling of one million single-synapse events, SynTOF represents “an unparalleled opportunity for multiplex analysis,” according to the researchers.

Receive content, products, events as well as relevant industry updates from The Analytical Scientist and its sponsors.
Stay up to date with our other newsletters and sponsors information, tailored specifically to the fields you are interested in

When you click “Subscribe” we will email you a link, which you must click to verify the email address above and activate your subscription. If you do not receive this email, please contact us at [email protected].
If you wish to unsubscribe, you can update your preferences at any point.

  1. T Phongpreecha et al., Science Advances (2021). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abk0473.
About the Author
Margot Lespade

Associate Editor, The Analytical Scientist

Related Application Notes
FUSION PTR-TOF ABOARD NASA DC-8 FOR ASIA-AQ CAMPAIGN

| Contributed by IONICON

An End-to-End Targeted Metabolomics Workflow

| Contributed by Agilent Technologies

Charge heterogeneity characterisation of an IgG4-based mAb using AEX coupled to MS

| Contributed by YMC

Related Product Profiles
Higher Peaks – Clearly.

| Contributed by Shimadzu Europa

Compact with countless benefits

| Contributed by Shimadzu Europa

The fine Art of Method Development

| Contributed by Shimadzu Europa

Register to The Analytical Scientist

Register to access our FREE online portfolio, request the magazine in print and manage your preferences.

You will benefit from:
  • Unlimited access to ALL articles
  • News, interviews & opinions from leading industry experts
  • Receive print (and PDF) copies of The Analytical Scientist magazine

Register