1. Mass Spectrometry National Network Vision, Mission, Achievements Maria Helena Florêncio President of the Coordination Board

2. What is mass spectrometry? m/z determination Identification of unknown compounds also in complex matrixes at trace level Quantitative trace analysis Proteomics Metabolomics Health sciences Pharmaceuticals Environmental research

3. Scientific and Social impact Six Nobel prizes from 1906 to 2002 ! Enabling technology for Health Sciences Environmental Analysis Post-Genomic research Metabolomics Proteomics Fundamental Physical-Chemistry Research

4. Vision MS is one of the mainstays of cutting edge science and technology MS has serious demands on highly qualified human resources and high grade instruments Portugal is still seriously deficitary in this field The MS network provides a core of instrument facilities and know-how for research, development, services and advanced training

5. Mission Establish a nation wide R & D network based on mass spectrometry know-how and facilities Create and nurture a network dynamics Consolidate and expand the netwok Pro-actively participate in the national R & D strategy and policies

6. Implementation Core facilities (present) 3.3 Million € equipment 0.7 Million € upkeeping (2009-2011) 10 Instruments FTICR-MS MALDI TOFTOF TripleQuad (2) Linear trap (2) Ion-trap (4)

7. Organization Coordination Board Management Board Scientific Board Node Manager

8. Scientific Board KEITH R. JENNINGS Emeritus Professor, Department of Biological Sciences,1997- to date Lectured in over 20 countries worldwide on various aspects of mass spectrometry, frequently as a Plenary or Invited Lecturer. Awards Thomson Medal of the International Mass Spectrometry Congress, for outstanding achievements in mass spectrometry and distinguished service to International Mass Spectrometry, Swansea, 1985. American Society for Mass Spectrometry Award for Distinguished Contribution in Mass Spectrometry, 1995 Honorary D.Sc., University of Lisbon, Portugal, July, 1997 American Chemical Society Frank H. Field and Joe L. Franklin Award for outstanding work in the development or application of mass spectrometry, March 1998. Aston Medal of British Mass Spectrometry Society, September, 1998 KENNETH B. TOMER Head of the Mass Spectrometry Group of The national Institute of Environmental Health Science, NIEHS, USA. Formerly Associate Director of the Midwest Center for Mass Spectrometry Authored more than 200 peer-reviewed research papers and more than 30 reviews and book chapters PETER ROEPSTORFF Head of the Mass Spectrometry Group at the Dept. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Dennmark One of the pioneers in protein mass spectrometry and proteomics. His research group works on development of methodology for mass spectrometric protein analysis with focus on post translational modifications including protein oxidation as function of aging and also the use of mass spectrometric protein analysis in the biotechnological and pharmaceutical industry Authored more than 400 peer-reviewed research papers, and innumerable conferences worldwide

9. Workgroups Know-how exchange Group Training Group Informatics Group

10. Know-how exchange Group Promote the optimal use of instruments Normalize procedures and methods Support the implementation of novel methods Foster know-how exchange among Nodes Increase instrument and technologies sharing within the network and outside of it!

11. Training Group Implement specialized courses Prepare and divulge meetings and seminars Establish a network wide training on different instruments and methodologies Divulge the network and its activities on a nation wide basis

12. Informatics Group Network web portal development and maintenance Support software sharing and implementation Manages shared software platforms and databases Develop new MS software for data analysis and processing, making it available to the network and the scientific community

13. Achievements Publications 106 (31) International peer review papers Theses 52 Ph.D. 26 Masters Projects 45 Funded Services Service network established for science and industry

14. SWOT analysis Strengths Weaknesses High qualification and experience of network members Network includes some of the core Universities, Institutes and R&D units in Portugal Advanced equipment Reduced number of members with permanent positions Many members with heavy institutional responsabilities Lack of some vital instruments (Orbitrap, QTOF) Few mass spectrometers inside the Network Implementation and development of MS at national level International projection of the Network Supplying specialized and highly qualified services Expansion of the Network Unequal competition with other european countries MS rapid instrumental development (risk of equipmente rapidly becoming obsolete) Difficulty of facing equipment damage Volatility of a large number of qualified personal Opportunities Threats

15. Outlook & Challenges Financing Projects Services FCT Funding 2009-2011 and behyond ??? Expansion Acquire more equipment Bring in other MS labs Divulging Meetings, conferences, courses, MS book edition National and international marketing actions International networks (Instruct - 7 th FP)