Sample preparation for imaging mass spectrometry

Imaging mass spectrometry (MS) creates molecular distribution patterns by sequential pixel-by-pixel analysis of samples using direct ionization. Direct analysis often has a fewer sample preparation steps than analyzing aliquots. Sample preparation is reduced even more for ambient ionization sources, designed to analyze samples in its native form with little or no sample preparation. Nevertheless, any imaging MS requires some sample preparation. The sample preparation steps can include simple mounting of tissue on a slide or more elaborate such as antibody tagging. General sample preparation strategies for imaging mass spectrometry are discussed in this chapter.