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Updated: May 1, 2026

Spatial Molecular Imaging of the Glycome Using Mass Spectrometry
Published on: November 28, 2025
MALDI imaging mass spectrometry: spatial molecular analysis to enable a new age of discovery
Megan M Gessel1, Jeremy L Norris1, Richard M Caprioli1
1National Research Resource for Imaging Mass Spectrometry, Mass Spectrometry Research Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 9160 Medical Research Building III, 465 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232-8575, United States; Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 9160 Medical Research Building III, 465 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232-8575, United States.
Abstract:
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI IMS) combines the sensitivity and selectivity of mass spectrometry with spatial analysis to provide a new dimension for histological analyses to provide unbiased visualization of the arrangement of biomolecules in tissue. As such, MALDI IMS has the capability to become a powerful new molecular technology for the biological and clinical sciences. In this review, we briefly describe several applications of MALDI IMS covering a range of molecular weights, from drugs to proteins. Current limitations and challenges are discussed along with recent developments to address these issues. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: 20years of Proteomics in memory of Viatliano Pallini. Guest Editors: Luca Bini, Juan J. Calvete, Natacha Turck, Denis Hochstrasser and Jean-Charles Sanchez.
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