Manuela Pacchiarini

Manuela Pacchiarini, Research Assistant, Swansea University, UK

Interviewed by Mervyn Lewis, Associate Editor

Originally published in April 2023

What was your impression of Mass Spectrometry when you were first introduced to it?

In 2013, during my master’s degree, I attended a module called “analytical methods for organic chemistry”, where I firstly heard of Mass Spectrometry. Despite the incredible range of analytical techniques developed and available, I fell in love with mass spec because of its huge versatility. Almost every molecule present in the world have the potential of being identified through a Mass Spectrometry analysis. At that time, I wasn’t aware that by simply exciting a molecule you could gain such a vast amount of information about its chemical nature. It was unbelievable to me! My love for chemistry and physics, alongside my curiosity, pushed me to deep dive into this technique. Moreover, after some time working with the Mass Spectrometry, I found out that, what seemed to be quite straightforward and simple, was often difficult and time consuming. This increased my interest in the subject and my willingness to undercover all its aspects.

What persuaded you that Mass Spectrometry could be a good career option for you? Were you attracted by an application of Mass Spectrometry or excited by the prospect of developing it as an instrumental technique?

Since my first years as a young scientist, I always appreciated the vastness of Mass Spectrometry applications: from molecule identification and chemical structure elucidation to complete metabolomic studies, toxicology application, biomarker discovery (which is the focus of my current project) and many more. Indeed, the ma uses that Mass Spectrometry has, is what persuaded me that it could be a great career option. The potential of Mass Spectrometry is incomparable to other analytical techniques. Personally, I am more attracted by the clinical application of this technique, especially its use as a potent diagnostic tool. However, mass spectrometers were built to be useful R&D tools, so a re-design of the instrument, along with automation and software developments might be required for high throughput screenings.

How did you go about finding your first opportunity in Mass Spectrometry?

My first working experience with Mass Spectrometry has been during my PhD. I am currently pursuing my PhD degree in one of the most experienced Mass Spectrometry Lab in the UK, the Griffiths Wang lab in Swansea, Wales. The Griffiths Wang lab especially focuses on the analysis of a particular class of fats, the sterols, present in human cells through Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis. Thanks to the experience with sterols that I gained during my master’s degree, I was a good candidate for the PhD position that Professors Wang and Griffiths opened in October 2019, that was focusing on Mass Spectrometry method development for the identification of sterol biomarker in human neurodegenerative diseases. I am currently in the process of finishing my PhD and writing-up my thesis. And yes, if you were wondering, I have loved the Mass Spec. experience!

In what application fields do you see new opportunities in Mass Spectrometry?

Personally, I can’t think of a field where Mass Spectrometry can’t find a place or a reason to be. However, if I should choose, I believe that human health is the most promising field of application for such analytical technique. The precision, the reproducibility, the sensitivity of Mass Spectrometry makes it a perfect tool for both diagnosis and disease progression monitoring, as well as for human health screenings and health checks. A good, well written and designed protocol for Mass Spectrometry can be easily followed and give reproducible results.  Moreover, Mass Spectrometry run times are typically between 5 minutes and one hour. This means that in one day multiple analyses can be performed, making it suitable for clinical/diagnostic purposes. I won’t be surprised to see in the nearest future clinical laboratories well equipped with a mass spectrometer!

What is your opinion about the impact that automation and informatics will have on Mass Spectrometry?

I think that to implement the Mass Spectrometry technology we need automation and informatic support. Indeed, with these tools, possible errors that can interfere with the reproducibility, such as observational errors and cross contaminations can be avoided. For instance, the substitution of the human operator with an automated machine able to perform the same action an innumerable number of times could eliminate those risks. Moreover, a good automated system must have a solid software implementation and an upgraded informatic technology. Data interpretation and quantification also require new software. However, currently this is probably the most difficult implementation to achieve. The mathematical algorithms are very specific, and sometimes they struggle to adapt to universal purposes. For example, some software for lipid data interpretation is very good for the identification of the phospholipid family but not so much for steroids. Automation and informatic support are definitely needed to implement Mass Spectrometry technology, but we still need good scientists to do the hard jobs (luckily!), especially compound identification and method development.

Could you describe your views on career prospects in Mass Spectrometry for young people?

When I was in University, I didn’t know the numerous job positions that  a Mass Spectrometry scientist could apply for. I thought it was merely an analytical type of job: prepare samples, inject the samples, read the results, individuate the target. I couldn’t be more wrong! If you type on google “Mass Spectrometry jobs” you will be surprised about the vast number of jobs, you might find! From product specialist, helping other people to develop their projects based on the use of a specific instrument, to analytical scientist, developing methods for the separation and identification of new molecules. But you can also help the engineers developing a new instrument, or becoming a sales expert, selling instruments around the world. And finally, you can also work in university, researching your own projects and teaching the students the beauty of Mass Spectrometry. In conclusion, my message is: if you really like Mass Spec go for it! Don’t be scared by the complicated theoretical principles under this technology, as soon as you start working on it everything will be clearer and clearer, it’s a promise. The variety of working experiences and job opportunities is immense and you will find the place or the role that best fits you!

Acknowledgements

Manuela would like to thank Prof. Yuqin Wang and Prof. William J. Griffiths (University of Swansea) for their mentoring and support throughout her Research Assistant job and PhD, as well as all the funding bodies and collaborators.