Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 2015-03-01

Lateral resolution in NALDI MSI: back to the future.

Lukas Krasny, Oldřich Benada, Marcela Strnadova, Karel Lemr, Vladimir Havlicek

Index: Anal. Bioanal. Chem 407(8) , 2141-7, (2015)

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Abstract

Nanostructure-assisted laser desorption/ionization (NALDI) has been recognized as a powerful matrix-free mass spectrometry tool ideal for imaging of small molecules. In this report, the NALDI approach was compared with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry in terms of sensitivity, reproducibility, and lateral resolution, which can be achieved in mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) experiments using a Nd:YAG laser. Scanning electron microscopy was used for surface topology analysis and evaluation of a putative surface-enhanced sensitivity effect, which was observed upon reduction of the laser focus. NALDI was identified as a more reproducible technique lacking MSI artifacts arising from distant tissue removal known from MALDI oversampling.