Seeing between the lines: matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging advances for...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Analytical Chemistry
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Standard laboratory cultivation methods limit understanding of complex microbial communities.
• There is a need to bridge the gap between controlled laboratory experiments and in situ measurements for microbial studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review technical advancements in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) over the past 15 years.
• To highlight MALDI-MSI's role in exploring microbial community interactions and chemical communication.
• To discuss the progression towards in situ analysis and associated challenges.

Main Methods:

• Review of technical advancements in MALDI-MSI applications.
• Discussion of the shift from traditional co-culture methods to 3D MALDI-MSI and artificial environments.
• Examination of sample preparation and metabolite identification techniques.

Main Results:

• MALDI-MSI has become an invaluable tool for mapping chemical communication in microbial communities.
• Recent research has focused on bridging the gap between laboratory and in situ measurements.
• Progress has been made in developing new methods like 3D MALDI-MSI and artificial environments.

Conclusions:

• MALDI-MSI is crucial for understanding microbial community dynamics and chemical signaling.
• Significant technical challenges in sample preparation and metabolite identification persist.
• Establishment of reporting standards and expansion of metabolomic databases are essential for future advancements.