Imaging mass spectrometry: Instrumentation, applications, and combination with other visualization techniques

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Imaging Mass Spectrometry (IMS) is an increasingly important analytical tool.
• IMS offers unique capabilities for spatial molecular analysis within biological samples.
• These features enable novel investigations across various biological research domains.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review key Imaging Mass Spectrometry techniques.
• To discuss the types of biological samples and molecules amenable to IMS analysis.
• To highlight the potential of integrating IMS with complementary analytical methods.

Main Methods:

• Review of established and emerging Imaging Mass Spectrometry methodologies.
• Discussion of sample preparation and data acquisition strategies for biological specimens.
• Exploration of multi-modal analytical approaches combining IMS with other techniques.

Main Results:

• IMS provides high-resolution spatial information on molecular distributions.
• The technique is applicable to a wide range of biological samples and molecular classes.
• Combining IMS with other methods offers synergistic insights into biological systems.

Conclusions:

• Imaging Mass Spectrometry is a rapidly advancing technique with broad applications in biological research.
• The integration of IMS with other analytical tools enhances its utility and predictive power.
• IMS holds significant promise for future discoveries in molecular and systems biology.