Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Imaging of Biological Tissues by Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Published on: July 12, 2013
[A new imaging technique as a diagnostic tool: mass spectrometry]
David Touboul1, Alain Brunelle, Dominique P Germain
1Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, CNRS, Avenue de la Terrasse, Gif-sur-Yvette (91), France.
Mass spectrometry imaging analyzes biomolecules in tissue slices, creating visual maps of their distribution. This technique aids in clinical diagnostics and advances metabolomic and proteomic research.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Chemical Imaging
Context:
- Advanced ionization techniques enable localized analysis of solid samples.
- Mass spectrometry generates ion images by translating ionic intensity into a color code.
- This method is applicable to thin tissue slices, such as biopsies.
Purpose:
- To demonstrate the capabilities of mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) for analyzing biomolecules.
- To illustrate the application of MSI in clinical diagnostics and omics studies.
- To present the use of MSI in the context of Fabry disease.
Summary:
- Mass spectrometry imaging generates detailed ion images from tissue samples by analyzing gas-phase ions.
- It allows for the simultaneous detection and spatial localization of diverse biomolecules, including lipids, metabolites, drugs, and proteins.
- The intensity of recorded signals correlates with molecular abundance, creating visible contrast in the generated images.
Impact:
- Provides a powerful tool for supporting clinical diagnostics.
- Emerges as a novel approach for in-depth metabolomic and proteomic studies.
- Offers new insights into diseases like Fabry disease through detailed chemical imaging.
More Related Videos
09:49Investigation of Microbial Cooperation via Imaging Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Bacterial Colonies Grown on Agar and in Tissue During Infection
Published on: November 18, 2022
09:59MALDI-Mass Spectrometric Imaging for the Investigation of Metabolites in Medicago truncatula Root Nodules
Published on: March 5, 2014
Related Concept Videos
MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Mass Spectrometry: Overview
Mass Spectrometers
Mass Spectrometry: Complex Analysis
GC–MS is a powerful hyphenated method commonly used in forensics and environmental...
Peptide Identification Using Tandem Mass Spectrometry
This technique helps gather information regarding the protein from which the peptide was obtained and to study the peptides’ amino acid sequence. Identifying peptides from a complex mixture is an important component of the growing field of...