dr. Ana Lores Padin (PhD)

My research project aims to quantify and spatially map essential trace metals—such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), strontium (Sr), selenium (Se), and molybdenum (Mo)—in individual cells and tissues during different stages of Soft Tissue Sarcoma (STS) development. STS is a rare and heterogeneous cancer with a high risk of metastasis, yet the role of essential metals in its progression remains largely unexplored. Metals are critical for cellular processes including redox regulation, enzymatic activity, and gene expression, and their dysregulation has been implicated in cancer growth and metastasis. To investigate their role in STS, I am developing highly sensitive and spatially resolved analytical workflows using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry techniques. These include Single-Cell Inductively Coupled Plasma Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (SC-ICP-TOF-MS) and Laser Ablation ICP-TOF-MS (LA-ICP-TOF-MS), which enable high-throughput, multiplex elemental detection and subcellular two-dimensional mapping. The multielemental capabilities of these techniques also allow for the detection and localization of biomolecules through the use of metal-tagged antibodies. This integrated approach enables the correlation of metal content with specific cell types, subcellular compartments, and biological markers.
The ultimate goal of the project is to generate a comprehensive “essential metal atlas” of STS that captures both quantitative and spatial information at the single-cell and tissue levels. The atlas will be built using data from patient-derived cell cultures, xenograft mouse models, and human tumor and metastasis samples.
 

Dr. Ana Lores Padín is a Junior Postdoctoral Fellow at Ghent University in the Atomic and Mass Spectrometry (A&MS) Research Group, recently awarded the FWO Junior Postdoctoral Fellowship. She obtained her PhD, cum laude in Analytical Chemistry in 2022, Prof. Rosario Pereiro and Dr. Beatriz Fernández at University of Oviedo) focusing on the study of neurodegenerative disease-related proteins at the cellular and tissue levels using immuno-metal tags and LA and SC-ICP-MS. During her PhD, she did a research stay at University of Crete (Prof. Spyros Pergantis). 
Her current research specializes in single-event and laser ablation coupled to ICP-TOF-MS instrumentation for mostly biomedical applications, particularly investigating the role of essential elements in cancer progression, with a focus on Soft Tissue Sarcomas. During her early career she has already presented her scientific work worldwide attending several national and international conferences. She has received awards for her contribution to the community (e.g., 2022 SAS Atomic Student Award), co-organized EWLA 2024, co-chaired a session at SciX (USA), and published over 10 Q1 journal articles, reviews and book chapters.
 

• Nanoparticles as labels of specific-recognition reactions for the analysis of biomolecules by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry-A Review. Analytica Chimica Acta, 2020 (PMID: 32825909)
• Multiplex bioimaging of proteins-related to neurodegenerative diseases in eye sections by laser ablation-Inductively coupled plasma-Mass spectrometry using metal nanoclusters as labels. Talanta, 2021 (PMID: 33076097)
• An evaluation of the analytical and biological robustness of a method for quantifying iron in individual red blood cells via single-cell tandem ICP-mass spectrometry, Microchemical Journal, 2024
• Gold nanoclusters as elemental label for the sequential quantification of apolipoprotein E and metallothionein 2A in individual human cells of the retinal pigment epithelium using single cell-ICP-MS. Analytica Chimica Acta, 2022 (PMID: 35361429)
   

• Lab address: Atomic & Mass Spectrometry - A&MS research unit, Ghent University, Department of Chemistry, Campus Sterre, Krijgslaan 281 - S12, 9000 Gent
• A&MS research group webpage
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• Ana Lores Padin is interested to receive invitations for presentations or talks.