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Mass Spectrometers

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:

MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

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...

Tandem Mass Spectrometry

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: Complex Analysis

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...

Mass Spectrum: Interpretation

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: Overview

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

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

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

Published on: March 24, 2016

Development of imaging mass spectrometry.

Yusuke Saito¹, Michihiko Waki, Saira Hameed

¹Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, School of Medicine, Hamamatsu University, Shizuoka, Japan.

Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin

|September 15, 2012

Summary

A novel mass microscope integrates microscopy with MALDI-IMS for high-resolution biomolecule imaging. This technique rapidly visualizes molecular distribution in tissues, aiding clinical pathology and pharmacokinetics.

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Imaging of Biological Tissues by Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

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Last Updated: May 18, 2026

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

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

Published on: March 24, 2016

Optimal Preparation of Formalin Fixed Samples for Peptide Based Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging Workflows

Optimal Preparation of Formalin Fixed Samples for Peptide Based Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging Workflows

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Imaging of Biological Tissues by Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Imaging of Biological Tissues by Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Published on: July 12, 2013

Area of Science:

Biomedical Imaging
Analytical Chemistry
Molecular Pathology

Background:

Traditional methods for analyzing biomolecule distribution in tissues are often laborious, requiring extensive sample preparation.
There is a need for advanced techniques that can provide spatial information on multiple biomolecules simultaneously without complex pre-treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce and review the capabilities of the mass microscope, a hybrid imaging technology.
To highlight its potential in clinical applications, including pathomorphology and pharmacokinetics.

Main Methods:

Development of a mass microscope combining optical microscopy with matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS).
MALDI-IMS enables high-resolution imaging of biomolecules directly from tissue sections.

Main Results:

The mass microscope generates clear images showing the spatial distribution of hundreds of biomolecules in a single measurement.
It facilitates the determination of cellular profiles within biological systems.
Demonstrates utility in assessing pathomorphology and pharmacokinetics.

Conclusions:

The mass microscope offers a powerful, efficient tool for molecular imaging in biological tissues.
Its ability to bypass lengthy sample preparation makes it valuable for clinical research and diagnostics.
The technology shows significant promise for advancing our understanding of disease and drug action.