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Updated: Jan 15, 2026
06:21
Imaging of Biological Tissues by Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Published on: July 12, 2013
19.3K
Isomer-Selective Mass Spectrometry Imaging Using Nanospray Desorption Electrospray Ionization (Nano-DESI)
Sara Amer1, Li-Xue Jiang1, Mushfeqa Iqfath1
1James Tarpo Jr. and Margaret Tarpo Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States.
Accounts of Chemical Research
|October 8, 2025
Summary
Nanospray desorption electrospray ionization (nano-DESI) coupled with mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) advances isomer-selective analysis. This technique differentiates isomeric lipids and metabolites in tissues, enhancing spatial metabolomics and lipidomics research.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Imaging
Background:
- Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) offers high chemical specificity and sensitivity for molecular distribution analysis in biological tissues.
- Isomeric and isobaric overlaps present significant challenges in MSI due to the lack of prior separation.
- Ambient ionization MSI, particularly nano-DESI, enables rapid, label-free imaging under near-native conditions with minimal sample preparation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight recent advancements in isomer-selective mass spectrometry imaging (iMSI) utilizing nano-DESI.
- To demonstrate the capability of nano-DESI iMSI for differentiating isomeric lipids and metabolites in biological systems.
- To discuss future directions for nano-DESI iMSI in spatial metabolomics and lipidomics.
Main Methods:
- Integration of nano-DESI with multiple reaction monitoring on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for lipid isomer differentiation.
- Application of photoinitiated derivatization and metal ion complexation strategies for isomer-selective imaging via structure-specific fragments.
- Coupling nano-DESI with trapped ion mobility spectrometry for high-resolution separation of lipid isomers.
Main Results:
- Successful differentiation of isomeric lipids within biological tissues using nano-DESI iMSI.
- Demonstration of isomer-selective imaging through structure-specific fragmentation after derivatization or complexation.
- Achieved high-resolution separation of lipid isomers by coupling nano-DESI with trapped ion mobility spectrometry.
Conclusions:
- Nano-DESI iMSI is a powerful and versatile tool for probing the spatial organization of isomeric lipids and metabolites.
- Innovations in nano-DESI iMSI have significantly expanded analytical capabilities in spatial metabolomics and lipidomics.
- Future integration with advanced acquisition techniques promises further advancements in the field.
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