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A critical evaluation of the current state-of-the-art in quantitative imaging mass spectrometry

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Abstract

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has evolved into a valuable tool across many fields of chemistry, biology, and medicine. However, arguably its greatest disadvantage is the difficulty in acquiring quantitative data regarding the surface concentration of the analyte(s) of interest. These difficulties largely arise from the high dependence of the ion signal on the localized chemical and morphological environment and the difficulties associated with calibrating such signals. The development of quantitative MSI approaches would correspond to a giant leap forward for the field, particularly for the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields, and is thus a highly active area of current research. In this review, we outline the current progress being made in the development and application of quantitative MSI workflows with a focus on biomedical applications. Particular emphasis is placed on the various strategies used for both signal calibration and correcting for various ion suppression effects that are invariably present in any MSI study. In addition, the difficulties in validating quantitative-MSI data on a pixel-by-pixel basis are highlighted.

Determining localised surface concentrations with quantitative imaging mass spectrometry

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Acknowledgments

Part of this research is supported by the Dutch Technology Foundation STW, which is the Applied Science Division of NWO, and the Technology Programme of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Project OTP 11956. This work is part of the research program of the Stichting voor Fundamenteel Onderzoek der Materie (FOM), which is financially supported by the Nederlandse organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO).

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  1. FOM Institute AMOLF, Science Park 104, 1098 XG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Shane R. Ellis, Anne L. Bruinen & Ron M. A. Heeren

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  1. Shane R. Ellis
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  2. Anne L. Bruinen
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Correspondence to Ron M. A. Heeren.

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Published in the topical collection Biomedical Mass Spectrometry with guest editors Mitsutoshi Setou, Toshimitsu Niwa, and Akira Ishii.

Shane R. Ellis and Anne L. Bruinen contributed equally to this work.

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Ellis, S.R., Bruinen, A.L. & Heeren, R.M.A. A critical evaluation of the current state-of-the-art in quantitative imaging mass spectrometry. Anal Bioanal Chem 406, 1275–1289 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-013-7478-9

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