Mass Spectrometry Imaging

Combination of advanced Mass Spectrometry imaging technologies

A choice of complementary ionization techniques provides flexibility and delivers multi-layered, information-rich data from a single sample.

Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI)  

• Excellent spatial resolution
• Wide variety of applications
• Well established MS imaging approach 

Desorption Electrospray Ionization (DESI)  

• Minimal sample preparation
• Excels at lipid and small molecule imaging
• Enables multiple imaging experiments on the same sample

Multiple Experiments with the Same Sample

Many applications demand the maximum amount of information from the minimum of sample.

The non-destructive nature of DESI means that a single tissue section can be analyzed multiple times, for example at different spatial resolutions or in different polarities, without significant degradation of signal or modification of chemical signature.

Following multiple DESI analyses, the same tissue section can then be used for further analysis, for example histological staining or analysis by MALDI MS imaging.

MS imaging with the power of Ion Mobility

Unlike UPLC-MS, MS imaging does not involve any form of separation prior to ionization.  The resulting data are often highly complex due to the level of detail observed and the potential for background interferences. 

SYNAPT HDMS enables the powerful combination of MALDI and DESI imaging with ion mobility-mass spectrometry.  This allows the gas phase separation of ions by compound class and charge in an MS imaging experiment, providing a level of selectivity that would not be possible with mass resolution alone.

The result of this is cleaner imaging data, allowing the more precise visualization of molecular distributions in the presence of background.

Available on IMS MS/MS or MS/MS platforms

Waters QTof systems provide the ideal platform for MS imaging, with superior performance, proven robustness and reliability, and the flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and future needs.  Highly efficient fragmentation is achieved via low energy collision induced dissociation (CID), while orthogonal geometry means that key performance attributes such as resolution and accurate mass are unaffected by changes in sample surface topography.

SYNAPT XS HDMS

For the ultimate in research grade multi-mode MALDI and DESI MS imaging

• Enhanced selectivity from unique ion mobility separation
• Versatile experimental options
• High performance accurate mass MS and MS/MS
• Choice of MALDI, DESI and ESI

Xevo G2-XS QTof

For accessible, routine DESI MS based imaging

• Maximum robustness with no compromise in performance
• Flexibility to adapt to changing needs
• Accessible to experts and non-experts alike
• Choice of DESI and ESI