Workpackage 1 reviews the choice and the characterization of several chemical compounds which will be utilized along the program as references for (ME-) SIMS and MALDI mass spectrometry and mass spectrometry imaging.

Workpackage 2 is the central workpackage of the COMPUTIS project to develop necessary instrumental components. It includes components needed for all of the following workpackages 3 to 6. Key to mass spectrometric imaging is the development of enhanced instrumental techniques for desorption, ionization and detection of biomolecules.

Workpackage 3 has focused on the application of the developed imaging MS methodologies, strategies and protocols to various analytically challenging problems in the life sciences. In doing so it has highlighted the advances in the European imaging Mass Spectrometry realized by the efforts of the Computis consortium. Several of the developed strategies have found their way to research professionals all over the world demonstrating the broader international impact. 

Workpackage 4 is devoted to the development of basic software tools for the visualization and processing of mass spectrometry data (spectra and images). The functionalities developed in WP4 have been used in WP3 and WP6 to provide keys and tools for the analysis and interpretation of round robin test samples, but also images of sane/diseased tissues and cells. More generally, these software tools will afford assistance to mass spectrometry experimental staff, chemists and biologists in the processing and interpretation of their biological data.

Workpackage 5 has focused on the application of the developed imaging MS methodologies, strategies and protocols to various analytically challenging problems in the life sciences. In doing so it has highlighted the advances in the European imaging Mass Spectrometry realized by the efforts of the Computis consortium. Several of the developed strategies have found their way to research professionals all over the world demonstrating the broader international impact.

Workpackage 6 is the final experimental workpackage of the COMPUTIS project. It integrates the developments of the other workpackages which include sample preparation (WP1), instrumental developments (WP2), measurements techniques (WP3) and software tools (WP4&5).