Enhancing Single-Cell Resolution in Mass Spectrometry Imaging through Advanced Sample Preparation

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) enables the spatial analysis of a wide range of analytes directly on cell/tissue sections with high spatial resolution. However, achieving reliable data at single-cell resolution critically depends on sample preparation. Indeed, a matrix must be applied to the tissue section, forming co-crystals with analytes to enable their desorption and ionization. Currently, we use a wet spray deposition method to apply the matrix to tissue sections, which results in the formation of crystals that prevent us from conducting single-cell metabolomics and lipidomics. To ensure the reliability of single-cell resolution data and to support KU Leuven researchers, we propose acquiring the HTX SubliMATE. This system produces ultra-small matrix crystals by utilizing a solvent-free deposition method. This minimizes the potential for analyte delocalization, thereby further enhancing the determination of metabolomic and lipidomic profiles for each cell type within the tissue section.

Keywords:Advanced sample preparation, single cell resolution, mass spectrometry imaging, Sublimation, MALDI-MSI, fast sample preparation, high reproducibility of data, metabolomics, lipidomics

Disciplines:Metabolomics, Spectrometry, Small molecules, Diagnostics, Medical metabolomics