Sample preparation for mass spectrometry imaging: small mistakes can lead to big consequences

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) enables the direct analysis of molecules from the surface of a wide variety of samples, allowing the multiplex measurement of both abundance and distribution of small molecules, lipids, peptides and proteins. As the technology has been refined an increasing number of ionization methods and mass analyzers has been used that enable increased spatial and spectral resolution measurements to be made at an increased speed. Alongside the instrumentation improvements there has been optimization of sample preparation procedures that allow the highest quality data to be obtained, reproducibly, from an ever increasing diversity of samples. This review will consider the development and standardization of sample preparation methods applicable to MSI, describing the stages and procedures undertaken from the instance of sample collection, through storage, preparation and on through final processing prior to analysis. Recent technical advancements will be highlighted and areas where further experimentation and optimization may well be required will be described. All aspects of the sample preparation pipeline will be considered in detail, with examples from the literature used to emphasize why rigorous sample preparation for MSI is vital to achieve the most accurate, reproducible and validated MSI data possible.