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Related Concept Videos

MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry01:19

MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry is a powerful characterization technique that can identify and separate a wide variety of compounds ranging from chemical to biological entities, based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). The instruments that allow this detection, known as mass spectrometers, have three components: an ion source, a mass analyzer, and a detector. These spectrometers differ based on the nature of their ion source and analyzers.Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) is a commonly...
Mass Spectrometers01:16

Mass Spectrometers

This lesson details the instrumentation of a mass spectrometer—a physical instrument to perform mass spectrometry on analyte molecules and record the characteristic mass spectra. This is achieved via three chief functions:
Tandem Mass Spectrometry01:21

Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Tandem mass spectrometry is a technique that uses multiple mass analyzers in series to obtain a higher selectivity and reduce chemical noise during analyte detection. Instruments with multiple analyzers separated by an interaction cell enable secondary fragmentation and selected study of the fragment ions.Secondary fragmentations occur in the interaction cell and can be induced by various factors. Fragmentation induced by collision with inert gases, such as N2, Ar, He, etc., is called...
Mass Spectrometry: Overview01:19

Mass Spectrometry: Overview

Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique used to determine the molecular mass and molecular formula of a compound. The basic principle of mass spectrometry is to generate ions from the analyte molecule and measure these ion abundances against their molecular mass. One common type of ionization, known as electron ionization or EI, bombards the analyte molecules in the gas phase with high-energy electron beams. The electron beams displace an electron from the molecule and leave behind a...
Mass Spectrum: Interpretation01:24

Mass Spectrum: Interpretation

An unknown compound can be established by identifying the molecular ion peak in the mass spectrum. The molecular ion peak is often weak or absent due to the predominance of fragmentation in high-energy electron beams. In such cases, a soft-energy electron beam can be used to scan the spectrum to enhance the intensity of the molecular ion peak. Additionally, chemical ionization, field ionization, and desorption ionization spectra are used to obtain a relatively intense molecular ion peak.To...
Mass Spectrometry: Complex Analysis01:21

Mass Spectrometry: Complex Analysis

Mass spectrometry is an important technique for the identification of pure compounds. However, it has some limitations for the analysis of complex mixtures, often due to excessive fragmentation making the spectrum too complicated to decipher. Mass spectrometry can be combined with suitable separation methods in sequence, forming hyphenated methods, which are useful in the analysis of complex mixtures.
GC–MS is a powerful hyphenated method commonly used in forensics and environmental...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

Whole-body Mass Spectrometry Imaging by Infrared Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption Electrospray Ionization (IR-MALDESI)
10:47

Whole-body Mass Spectrometry Imaging by Infrared Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption Electrospray Ionization (IR-MALDESI)

Published on: March 24, 2016

[Imaging mass spectrometry].

Mitsutoshi Setou1

  • 1Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan. setou@hama-med.ac.jp

Yakugaku Zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan
|April 3, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) visualizes biomolecule distribution in tissues without labels. This technique effectively images small metabolites like lipids and drugs, offering new insights into their localization.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical imaging
  • Analytical chemistry
  • Molecular biology

Context:

  • Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) has evolved from protein imaging to small molecule analysis.
  • Visualizing the spatial distribution of biomolecules in cells and tissues is crucial for understanding biological processes.

Purpose:

  • To review the capabilities of current IMS techniques for small molecule imaging.
  • To discuss representative studies on imaging endogenous and exogenous metabolites.
  • To highlight the advantages and limitations of IMS for metabolite localization.

Summary:

  • IMS enables label-free, non-targeted visualization of diverse biomolecules, including lipids and drugs, in biological samples.
  • Its ability to simultaneously image multiple metabolite types is essential for assessing localization.

More Related Videos

Imaging of Biological Tissues by Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry
06:21

Imaging of Biological Tissues by Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Published on: July 12, 2013

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 23, 2026

Whole-body Mass Spectrometry Imaging by Infrared Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption Electrospray Ionization (IR-MALDESI)
10:47

Whole-body Mass Spectrometry Imaging by Infrared Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption Electrospray Ionization (IR-MALDESI)

Published on: March 24, 2016

Imaging of Biological Tissues by Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry
06:21

Imaging of Biological Tissues by Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Published on: July 12, 2013

  • The review covers current IMS techniques, applications in metabolite imaging, and ongoing efforts to address limitations.

    • Impact:

    • Advances understanding of metabolite distribution in biological systems.
    • Provides a powerful tool for drug distribution studies and metabolic research.
    • Facilitates the development of improved IMS methodologies for small molecule analysis.