Seeing is Believing: Developing Multimodal Metabolic Insights at the Molecular Level

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Microscopy

Background:

• Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy are advanced techniques for metabolic and metabolomic analysis.
• Each technique has independently advanced the field of molecular imaging but possesses inherent limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the synergistic combination of MALDI-MSI and SRS microscopy for comprehensive molecular imaging.
• To outline potential workflows for integrating these orthogonal imaging modalities.
• To highlight the benefits of complementary approaches for understanding dynamic, subcellular metabolic processes.

Main Methods:

• Summarizing recent advances in MALDI-MSI and SRS microscopy.
• Proposing orthogonal and interchangeable workflows for combining the techniques.
• Discussing the complementary benefits of MSI and SRS spectro-microscopy for chemical structure elucidation.

Main Results:

• The integration of MALDI-MSI and SRS microscopy can overcome individual technique limitations.
• Complementary use allows for detailed chemical structure information via functional-group-specific targets.
• Combined approaches yield comprehensive molecular images of metabolic processes.

Conclusions:

• Integrating MALDI-MSI and SRS microscopy provides a powerful synergistic approach for metabolic investigations.
• This combined strategy expands the toolkit for studying metabolites in complex biological environments.
• The approach promises a more comprehensive understanding of dynamic, subcellular metabolic processes.