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Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Imaging of Biological Tissues by Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Published on: July 12, 2013
Desorption electrospray ionization tissue imaging using heated nebulizing gas and high-resolution accurate mass
Daniel J Waldon1, Zhiyang Zhao, Yohannes Teffera
1Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Amgen Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA.
Abstract:
A new method for tissue imaging using desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) mass spectrometry is described. The technique utilizes a DESI source with a heated nebulizing gas and high-resolution accurate mass data acquired with an LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometer. The two-dimensional (2D) automated DESI ion source creates images using the ions that are collected under high-resolution conditions. The use of high-resolution mass detection significantly improves the image quality due to exclusion of interfering ions. The use of a heated nebulizing gas increases the signal intensity observed at lower gas pressure. The technique developed is highly compatible with soft tissue imaging due to the minimal surface destruction.
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