title: A review of complementary separation methods and matrix assisted  laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry imaging: lowering  sample complexity.
abstract: Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) brings unique combined information on molecular identity and molecular distribution of a sample surface. During the past decade, it has matured and is now routinely employed for biomedical tissue sections analysis. However, owing to the high molecular complexity of tissue, MALDI-MSI suffers from ionization suppression effects. This directly results in a reduced ability to detect low-abundant molecular species. At the same time, the spatial resolution of separation techniques can be insufficient for an unambiguous determination of the local composition of a mixture. As analytical separation techniques can significantly reduce ion suppression, and MALDI-MSI has an ability to improve their spatial resolution, the two analytical approaches can successfully be combined in a pursuit of comprehensive local sample composition information. In the following review we summarize strategies of mutually beneficial combinations of MALDI-MSI and different separation techniques and discuss limitations and future developments.
authors.forename: Karolina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Škrášková
authors.forename: Ron M A
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Heeren
mesh_terms: D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods*