Effective Sample Preparations in Imaging Mass Spectrometry.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) can be used to visualize the distribution of biomolecules (proteins, peptides, metabolites) and drugs on tissue surfaces. In MALDI-IMS, sample preparation is crucial for successful results. A variety of conditions, such as tissue sampling methods, tissue thickness and matrix application procedure can have an impact on the results. In this review, we summarize each sample preparation step in an orderly sequence with practical examples. In addition, we discuss the importance of the organic solvent used in the matrix solution. The composition of the organic solvent used in the matrix solution is critical for achieving a high sensitivity in this procedure.