title: Imaging of intact tissue sections: moving beyond the microscope.
abstract: MALDI-imaging MS is a new molecular imaging technology for direct in situ analysis of thin tissue sections. Multiple analytes can be monitored simultaneously without prior knowledge of their identities and without the need for target-specific reagents such as antibodies. Imaging MS provides important insights into biological processes because the native distributions of molecules are minimally disturbed, and histological features remain intact throughout the analysis. A wide variety of molecules can be imaged, including proteins, peptides, lipids, drugs, and metabolites. Several specific examples are presented to highlight the utility of the technology.
authors.affiliation: Mass Spectrometry Research Center and Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA.
authors.forename: Erin H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Seeley
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schwamborn
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Caprioli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D011506:Proteins