Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Electrospray Ionization (ESI) Mass Spectrometry01:12

Electrospray Ionization (ESI) Mass Spectrometry

Higher molecular weight biomolecules are nonvolatile compounds that may decompose before ionizing or vaporizing during mass analysis with conventional electron impact ionization methods. Accordingly, electrospray ionization (ESI) is the favored method for vaporizing and ionizing biomolecules as it circumvents rapid fragmentation and enables the recording of mass signals for the entire biomolecule.
ESI utilizes electrical energy to transfer ions from the liquid phase of the sample into the...
Tandem Mass Spectrometry01:21

Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Tandem mass spectrometry is a technique that uses multiple mass analyzers in series to obtain a higher selectivity and reduce chemical noise during analyte detection. Instruments with multiple analyzers separated by an interaction cell enable secondary fragmentation and selected study of the fragment ions.Secondary fragmentations occur in the interaction cell and can be induced by various factors. Fragmentation induced by collision with inert gases, such as N2, Ar, He, etc., is called...
MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry01:19

MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry is a powerful characterization technique that can identify and separate a wide variety of compounds ranging from chemical to biological entities, based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). The instruments that allow this detection, known as mass spectrometers, have three components: an ion source, a mass analyzer, and a detector. These spectrometers differ based on the nature of their ion source and analyzers.Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) is a commonly...
Mass Spectrometry: Complex Analysis01:21

Mass Spectrometry: Complex Analysis

Mass spectrometry is an important technique for the identification of pure compounds. However, it has some limitations for the analysis of complex mixtures, often due to excessive fragmentation making the spectrum too complicated to decipher. Mass spectrometry can be combined with suitable separation methods in sequence, forming hyphenated methods, which are useful in the analysis of complex mixtures.
GC–MS is a powerful hyphenated method commonly used in forensics and environmental...
Mass Spectrum: Interpretation01:24

Mass Spectrum: Interpretation

An unknown compound can be established by identifying the molecular ion peak in the mass spectrum. The molecular ion peak is often weak or absent due to the predominance of fragmentation in high-energy electron beams. In such cases, a soft-energy electron beam can be used to scan the spectrum to enhance the intensity of the molecular ion peak. Additionally, chemical ionization, field ionization, and desorption ionization spectra are used to obtain a relatively intense molecular ion peak.To...
Peptide Identification Using Tandem Mass Spectrometry01:33

Peptide Identification Using Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Tandem mass spectrometry, also known as MS/MS or MS2, is an analytical technique that employs two mass analyzers. Essentially it is a series of mass spectrometers that helps isolate a particular biomolecule and then helps study its chemical properties.
This technique helps gather information regarding the protein from which the peptide was obtained and to study the peptides’ amino acid sequence. Identifying peptides from a complex mixture is an important component of the growing field of...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

In Vivo Wound Healing Activity of <i>Abrus cantoniensis</i> Extract.

Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM·2017
Same author

Gigantol from Dendrobium chrysotoxum Lindl. binds and inhibits aldose reductase gene to exert its anti-cataract activity: An in vitro mechanistic study.

Journal of ethnopharmacology·2017
Same author

[High-risk factors and clinical characteristics of massive pulmonary hemorrhage in infants with extremely low birth weight].

Zhongguo dang dai er ke za zhi = Chinese journal of contemporary pediatrics·2017
Same author

Liver X receptor agonist T0901317 reverses resistance of A549 human lung cancer cells to EGFR-TKI treatment.

FEBS open bio·2017
Same author

Naked eye plasmonic indicator with multi-responsive polymer brush as signal transducer and amplifier.

Nanoscale·2017
Same author

Graphene oxide adsorbent based dispersive solid phase extraction coupled with multi-pretreatment clean-up for analysis of trace aflatoxins in traditional proprietary Chinese medicines.

Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences·2017

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 1, 2026

Imaging of Biological Tissues by Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry
06:21

Imaging of Biological Tissues by Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Published on: July 12, 2013

Single-Cell Mass Spectrometry Imaging Using Desorption Electrospray Ionization Coupled To Orbitrap Mass

Nathan Colwell1, Dan Chen2, Deepti Bhusal1

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma; Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Campus.

Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove
|June 29, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study presents a method for single-cell mass spectrometry imaging of OVCAR-8 cells using desorption electrospray ionization (DESI-MSI). The protocol achieves high-spatial-resolution molecular mapping for metabolomic analysis.

More Related Videos

Sample Preparation for Single Cell Mass Spectrometry Metabolomics Studies: Combined Cell Washing, Quenching, Drying, and Storage
08:07

Sample Preparation for Single Cell Mass Spectrometry Metabolomics Studies: Combined Cell Washing, Quenching, Drying, and Storage

Published on: September 16, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 1, 2026

Imaging of Biological Tissues by Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry
06:21

Imaging of Biological Tissues by Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Published on: July 12, 2013

Sample Preparation for Single Cell Mass Spectrometry Metabolomics Studies: Combined Cell Washing, Quenching, Drying, and Storage
08:07

Sample Preparation for Single Cell Mass Spectrometry Metabolomics Studies: Combined Cell Washing, Quenching, Drying, and Storage

Published on: September 16, 2025

Area of Science:

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Biotechnology
  • Molecular Imaging

Background:

  • Desorption electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI) offers ambient, matrix-free molecular analysis with minimal sample preparation.
  • Single-cell analysis requires high spatial resolution and sensitivity to differentiate individual cellular components.
  • Orbitrap mass spectrometers provide high mass resolution and accuracy crucial for complex biological samples.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe a protocol for high-spatial-resolution single-cell mass spectrometry imaging of OVCAR-8 cells.
  • To demonstrate the integration of DESI-MSI with Orbitrap mass spectrometry for cellular analysis.
  • To enable single-cell metabolomic profiling using ambient ionization techniques.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized desorption electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI) coupled with Orbitrap mass spectrometers.
  • Developed a workflow involving cell culture on gridded coverslips, washing, drying, and ambient analysis.
  • Integrated a DESI sprayer, modified mass spectrometer interface, and motorized XYZ stage for raster imaging.
  • Employed nano-liquid chromatography for continuous solvent delivery and controlled nitrogen gas for spray stability.
  • Implemented optical-to-mass spectrometry image registration for precise single-cell localization.

Main Results:

  • Achieved high-spatial-resolution molecular imaging at the single-cell level for OVCAR-8 cells.
  • Demonstrated the capability to differentiate closely related molecular species due to high mass resolution and accuracy.
  • Successfully localized molecular signals to individual cells through image registration.
  • Provided a foundation for single-cell metabolomic analysis using DESI-MSI.

Conclusions:

  • The developed DESI-MSI protocol enables high-spatial-resolution molecular imaging of single cells.
  • This workflow is adaptable across multiple Orbitrap mass spectrometer platforms.
  • The technique supports detailed single-cell metabolomic investigations with minimal sample preparation.