Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization imaging process

However, both soft ionization of analytes and tandem MS are difficult to achieve with typical SIMS technique (8). In contrast, spatial resolution of MALDI-IMS is lower than that of SIMS. The spatial resolution depends on the experimental conditions and the instrument used but is typically 20-100 jim. Limitations of the spatial resolution of MALDI-IMS include the size of the organic matrix crystal and the analyte migration during the matrix application process. To overcome these problems, Taira and colleagues reported a nanoparticle (NP)-assisted laser desorption/ionization (nano-PALDI)-based IMS, in which the matrix crystallization process is eliminated (9). The use of nano-PALDI has enabled researchers to image compounds with spatial resolution at the cellular level (15 (xm almost equal to the size of the diameter of a laser spot). 

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