Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Imaging of Biological Tissues by Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Published on: July 12, 2013
Desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for lipid characterization and biological tissue imaging
Livia S Eberlin1, Christina R Ferreira, Allison L Dill
1Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
Abstract:
Desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) imaging of biological samples allows untargeted analysis and structural characterization of lipids ionized from the near-surface region of a sample under ambient conditions. DESI is a powerful and sensitive MS ionization method for 2D and 3D imaging of lipids from direct and unmodified complex biological samples. This review describes the strengths and limitations of DESI-MS for lipid characterization and imaging together with the technical workflow and a survey of applications. Included are discussions of lipid mapping and biomarker discovery as well as a perspective on the future of DESI imaging.
More Related Videos
09:38Dithranol as a Matrix for Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Imaging on a Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer
Published on: November 26, 2013
09:00Sample Preparation for Rapid Lipid Analysis in Drosophila Brain Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging
Published on: July 14, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Electrospray Ionization (ESI) Mass Spectrometry
ESI utilizes electrical energy to transfer ions from the liquid phase of the sample into the...
MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI)
Mass Spectrum: Interpretation
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...
Mass Spectrometry: Complex Analysis
GC–MS is a powerful hyphenated method commonly used in forensics and environmental...