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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
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Imaging of Biological Tissues by Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Published on: July 12, 2013
Mass spectrometric imaging of lipids using desorption electrospray ionization
Allison L Dill1, Demian R Ifa, Nicholas E Manicke
1Department of Chemistry and Center for Analytical Instrumentation Development, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
Summary
Desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) enables direct tissue analysis without vacuum. This technique visualizes lipids in biological samples, aiding disease research.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Biomedical Science
Background:
- Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) is an ambient ionization technique for mass spectrometry (MS).
- Phospholipids are abundant in biological tissues and crucial for cellular functions.
- Altered lipid profiles are associated with diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize phospholipids in biological tissue using DESI-MS.
- To demonstrate the capability of DESI-MS for imaging lipids directly within tissue matrices.
- To explore the potential of DESI-MS in distinguishing between diseased and normal tissues.
Main Methods:
- Utilized DESI-MS for direct analysis of thin tissue sections under ambient conditions.
- Employed imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) by acquiring mass spectra at each pixel of the tissue.
- Generated 2D chemical images by combining spatial distribution and chemical identity data.
Main Results:
- Successfully characterized phospholipids in various tissue types, including human liver adenocarcinoma, rat brain, human breast tissue, and canine abdominal tumor tissue.
- Demonstrated the ability of DESI-MS to create detailed 2D chemical images of lipid distributions.
- Provided data for comparative analysis between diseased and normal tissue samples.
Conclusions:
- DESI-MS is a powerful tool for the direct, in-situ analysis and imaging of lipids in biological tissues.
- The technique facilitates the study of lipid alterations in disease states.
- DESI-MS holds significant potential for biomedical research and diagnostics.
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