Overlapping MALDI-Mass Spectrometry Imaging for In-Parallel MS and MS/MS Data Acquisition without Sacrificing Spatial...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biotechnology
• Imaging Science

Background:

• Metabolomics and mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) require chemical identification via MS/MS analysis.
• Current MSI methods often involve serial tissue sections or multiplex acquisition, which can reduce spatial resolution.
• Previous multiplex MSI methods limited high-spatial resolution due to increased spiral steps.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a multiplex MSI method that maintains high spatial resolution.
• To enable simultaneous acquisition of MS and MS/MS data in a single experiment.
• To enhance chemical information retrieval in less time for MSI.

Main Methods:

• Implemented overlapping spiral steps instead of spatially separated ones in multiplex MSI.
• Utilized nanoparticle matrices to ensure sufficient analyte and matrix remain for multiple spectral acquisitions.
• Applied the method to maize leaf cross-sections for metabolite visualization and MS/MS spectral acquisition.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated multiplex MS imaging is achievable without sacrificing spatial resolution.
• Acquired high-quality MS and MS/MS data from the same tissue spot.
• Successfully visualized metabolites and their MS/MS spectra in maize leaf sections at 10 μm resolution.

Conclusions:

• The novel multiplex MSI approach overcomes spatial resolution limitations of previous methods.
• This technique allows for comprehensive chemical analysis of biological tissues with high spatial fidelity.
• The method is efficient, providing rich chemical information and MS/MS data in a single acquisition.