title: imzML--a common data format for the flexible exchange and processing of mass spectrometry imaging data.
abstract: The application of mass spectrometry imaging (MS imaging) is rapidly growing with a constantly increasing number of different instrumental systems and software tools. The data format imzML was developed to allow the flexible and efficient exchange of MS imaging data between different instruments and data analysis software. imzML data is divided in two files which are linked by a universally unique identifier (UUID). Experimental details are stored in an XML file which is based on the HUPO-PSI format mzML. Information is provided in the form of a 'controlled vocabulary' (CV) in order to unequivocally describe the parameters and to avoid redundancy in nomenclature. Mass spectral data are stored in a binary file in order to allow efficient storage. imzML is supported by a growing number of software tools. Users will be no longer limited to proprietary software, but are able to use the processing software best suited for a specific question or application. MS imaging data from different instruments can be converted to imzML and displayed with identical parameters in one software package for easier comparison. All technical details necessary to implement imzML and additional background information is available at www.imzml.org.
authors: Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors: Thorsten
authors: T
authors: Schramm
authors: Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors: Zoë
authors: Z
authors: Hester
authors: FOM Institute AMOLF, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors: Ivo
authors: I
authors: Klinkert
authors: CEA-LIST, Saclay, France.
authors: Jean-Pierre
authors: JP
authors: Both
authors: FOM Institute AMOLF, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors: Ron M A
authors: RMA
authors: Heeren
authors: Centre de recherche de Gif, Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, CNRS, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France.
authors: Alain
authors: A
authors: Brunelle
authors: Chimie et Toxicologie Analytique et Cellulaire, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France.
authors: Olivier
authors: O
authors: Laprévote
authors: Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors: Nicolas
authors: N
authors: Desbenoit
authors: CEA-LIST, Saclay, France.
authors: Marie-France
authors: MF
authors: Robbe
authors: Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Stoeckli
authors: Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors: Bernhard
authors: B
authors: Spengler
authors: Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany. Electronic address: Andreas.Roempp@anorg.Chemie.uni-giessen.de.
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Römpp
mesh_terms: D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D030562:Databases, Protein; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D001330:Electronic Data Processing / Q000379:methods*; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008954:Models, Biological; D012984:Software; D014584:User-Computer Interface