Shimadzu Review Vol.77[1・2](2020)
Life Science

SPECIALLY COLLECTED PAPERS

Using iMScope QT Imaging Mass Microscope for Biomolecule Analysis

by Koretsugu Ogata, Ph.D.1Kengo Takeshita2Kenta Terashima2Takushi Yamamoto3Kana Waki, Ph.D.3Satoshi Kasamatsu1Takahiro Harada1

Shimadzu Review 77[1・2] (2020.7)

Abstract

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is based on the principle of using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) or other methods to ionize any particular area of a tissue section and then analyzing that area with a mass spec-trometer (TOF-MS). From the huge quantity of mass spectrometry data obtained from thousands to tens of thousands of measurement points on a biological tissue section, this technique selectively analyzes only the user-specified molecular information for visualization of the intensity distribution. To visualize the distribution information, the iMScope QT acquires a precise optical microscope image that enables detailed truly two-dimensional mass spectrometry. That means the technique can be used to analyze peptides, lipids, or other molecules while retaining information about the correspond-ing position on the biological tissue. Given reports of the MSI technique being used for pathological analysis applications and even for applications involving MALDI-TOF-MS, MSI can be considered a significant branch in the increasing spread of mass spectrometry applications. This article describes the iMScope QT system, pretreatment system, and software involved. 


1MS Business Unit, Life Science Business Department, Analytical & Measuring Instruments Division, Shimadzu Corporation, Kyoto, Japan
2Research & Development Department, Analytical & Measuring Instruments Division, Shimadzu Corporation, Kyoto, Japan
3Global Application Development Center, Analytical & Measuring Instruments Division, Shimadzu Corporation, Kyoto, Japan

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