Mass spectrometry-based human spatial omics: fundamentals, innovations, and applications

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Analytical Chemistry
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Mass spectrometry-based spatial omics combines molecular depth with imaging for in situ visualization.
• The field has rapidly evolved technologically and computationally.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the technological and computational evolution of mass spectrometry-based spatial omics.
• To highlight recent advances, analytical pipelines, and applications.
• To outline challenges and opportunities for broader adoption.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of innovations in mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), labeling, and proximity labeling.
• Analysis of advancements in spatial resolution, molecular coverage, and deep molecular characterization.
• Review of analytical pipelines integrating deep learning, cross-modality registration, and cloud-optimized data formats.

Main Results:

• Significant technological and computational advancements have been made.
• Integration with other spatial omics platforms enables multimodal analysis.
• Transformative applications are emerging in tumor microenvironment, neurodegenerative diseases, developmental biology, biomarker discovery, and precision medicine.

Conclusions:

• Mass spectrometry-based spatial omics is a foundational pillar for multimodal spatial biology.
• Standardization, clinical validation, and interpretable AI are crucial for broader adoption.
• The field holds immense potential for personalized healthcare.