title: Molecular histology analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry using gold nanoparticles as matrix.
abstract: Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were applied and optimized as matrix for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry analysis of animal tissues, and enabled histological analysis of animal tissues at molecular level by imaging mass spectrometry (IMS). AuNPs were coated on animal tissue in a solvent-free manner via argon ion sputtering. Metabolites, including neurotransmitters, fatty acids and nucleobases, were directly detected from mouse brain tissue. Based on region-specific chemical profiles, fine histological features of mouse brain tissue and heterogeneous regions of tumor tissue were both revealed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR.
authors.forename: Ho-Wai
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Melody Yee-Man
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Wing
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Yung-Chi
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Chi-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Che
authors.forename: Kwan-Ming
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001128:Argon; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D006651:Histocytochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001128:Argon; D006046:Gold