Advances in ionisation techniques for mass spectrometry-based omics research

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Mass Spectrometry

Background:

• Omics research, including proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics, heavily relies on mass spectrometry (MS).
• Traditional MS ionization techniques like electrospray ionization face challenges in sensitivity, sampling, and throughput.
• These limitations drive the investigation of novel ionization methods for enhanced omics analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current landscape of emerging ionization techniques for omics research.
• To categorize new ionization methods into spray-based, laser-based, and miscellaneous groups.
• To provide an introductory overview of these techniques for researchers.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent developments in MS ionization techniques.
• Categorization of new ionization methods based on their underlying principles.
• Discussion of the benefits and specialized applications of each technique.

Main Results:

• Identified and categorized novel MS ionization techniques beyond traditional methods.
• Highlighted the diverse range of new developments in the field.
• Emphasized the unique advantages of each technique for specific omics applications.

Conclusions:

• Emerging ionization techniques offer significant potential to advance omics research.
• These new methods address limitations of traditional techniques, promising improved sensitivity and throughput.
• This review serves as a foundational resource for exploring specialized ionization techniques in omics.