Immersion by rotation-based application of the matrix for fast and reproducible sample preparations and robust results in mass spectrometry imaging.

ABSTRACT

Automated matrix deposition for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is crucial for producing reproducible analyte ion signals. Here we report an innovative method employing an automated immersion apparatus, which enables a robust matrix deposition within 5 minutes and with scalable throughput by using MAPS matrix and non-polar solvents. MSI results received from mouse heart and rat brain tissues were qualitatively similar to those from nozzle sprayed samples with respect to peak number and quality of the ion images. Overall, the immersion-method enables a fast and careful matrix deposition and has the future potential for implementation in clinical tissue diagnostics.