title: LA-iMageS: a software for elemental distribution bioimaging using LA-ICP-MS data.
abstract: The spatial distribution of chemical elements in different types of samples is an important field in several research areas such as biology, paleontology or biomedicine, among others. Elemental distribution imaging by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is an effective technique for qualitative and quantitative imaging due to its high spatial resolution and sensitivity. By applying this technique, vast amounts of raw data are generated to obtain high-quality images, essentially making the use of specific LA-ICP-MS imaging software that can process such data absolutely mandatory. Since existing solutions are usually commercial or hard-to-use for average users, this work introduces LA-iMageS, an open-source, free-to-use multiplatform application for fast and automatic generation of high-quality elemental distribution bioimages from LA-ICP-MS data in the PerkinElmer Elan XL format, whose results can be directly exported to external applications for further analysis. A key strength of LA-iMageS is its substantial added value for users, with particular regard to the customization of the elemental distribution bioimages, which allows, among other features, the ability to change color maps, increase image resolution or toggle between 2D and 3D visualizations.
authors.affiliation: ESEI: Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Informática, University of Vigo, Edificio Politécnico, Campus Universitario As Lagoas s/n, 32004 Ourense, Spain.
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6476-7206
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: López-Fernández
authors.affiliation: Group of Spectrometry, Sample Preparation and Mechanization (GEPAM), Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, UNICAMP, PO Box 6154, Campinas, SP 13084-62 Brazil ; National Institute of Science and Technology for Bioanalytics, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP 13083-862 Brazil.
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de S Pessôa
authors.affiliation: Group of Spectrometry, Sample Preparation and Mechanization (GEPAM), Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, UNICAMP, PO Box 6154, Campinas, SP 13084-62 Brazil ; National Institute of Science and Technology for Bioanalytics, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP 13083-862 Brazil.
authors.forename: Marco A Z
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Arruda
authors.affiliation: UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science and Technology, University NOVA of Lisbon, 2829-516 Monte da Caparica, Portugal ; ProteoMass Scientific Society, Madan Parque, Rua dos Inventores, 2825-182 Caparica, Portugal.
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Capelo-Martínez
authors.affiliation: ESEI: Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Informática, University of Vigo, Edificio Politécnico, Campus Universitario As Lagoas s/n, 32004 Ourense, Spain.
authors.forename: Florentino
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fdez-Riverola
authors.affiliation: ESEI: Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Informática, University of Vigo, Edificio Politécnico, Campus Universitario As Lagoas s/n, 32004 Ourense, Spain.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Glez-Peña
authors.affiliation: ESEI: Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Informática, University of Vigo, Edificio Politécnico, Campus Universitario As Lagoas s/n, 32004 Ourense, Spain.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reboiro-Jato
keywords: Elemental distribution; LA–ICP–MS imaging; Laser ablation; Software