The Characterization of Laser Ablation Patterns and a New Definition of Resolution in Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Imaging Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-IMS)

Matthew B O'Rourke; Benjamin B A Raymond; Matthew P Padula

doi:10.1007/s13361-017-1632-0

The Characterization of Laser Ablation Patterns and a New Definition of Resolution in Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Imaging Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-IMS)

J Am Soc Mass Spectrom. 2017 May;28(5):895-900. doi: 10.1007/s13361-017-1632-0. Epub 2017 Mar 13.

Authors

Matthew B O'Rourke¹, Benjamin B A Raymond², Matthew P Padula³

Affiliations

¹ Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia. matthew.orourke@sydney.edu.au.
² The iThree Institute, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia.
³ Proteomics Core Facility, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia.

PMID: 28290124
DOI: 10.1007/s13361-017-1632-0

Abstract

Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS) is a technique that has seen a sharp rise in both use and development. Despite this rapid adoption, there have been few thorough investigations into the actual physical mechanisms that underlie the acquisition of IMS images. We therefore set out to characterize the effect of IMS laser ablation patterns on the surface of a sample. We also concluded that the governing factors that control spatial resolution have not been correctly defined and therefore propose a new definition of resolution. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Keywords: Imaging; MALDI IMS; Mass spectrometry; Tissue imaging.