IMS (Imaging Mass Spectrometry)

IMS is a technique to visualize the spatial distribution and mass information of molecules, so IMS gets a map of molecule information in the tissue or organ. This label-free method makes a compound analysis more reasonable and prompt than autoradiography, which is a traditional method.

MALDI (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization) is one of the most general technique used for IMS, and Our company uses another way, DESI（desorption electrospray ionization）which we are developing (patent pending). DESI has high sensitivity and detect 70-80% compounds we tested. On the other hand, MALDI has a higher resolution than DESI. According to the customer's needs, we provide the best way.

We provide customers with high-quality data analysis of pharmacokinetics and predicting toxicity, pharmacometrics.

Equipment: Use MALDI

　MALDI（matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization）is a way of ionization the sample by laser irradiation. The sample is mixed in the matrix (ionizing agent). MALDI can analyze from low-molecular compounds to high-molecular compounds such as proteins. The spot diameter of the laser beam is small, so this method is high spatial resolution. IMS for the tissue section needs to apply matrix solution on the tissue section uniformly.

We use the below types of equipment for IMS with MALDI.

Bruker Daltonics Solarix (FT-ICR-MS)

FT-ICR-MS (Fourier-Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry) is the highest spatial resolution among commercially available equipment. This high spatial resolution brings high selectivity imaging. And we can undertake structural estimation of unknown compounds by using MS/MS.

Bruker Daltonics Ultraflex (TOF-MS)

MALDI-TOF-MS is the most general equipment for IMS. We have a lot of experience of analysis with MALDI-TOF-MS.

Shimadzu iMScope (TOF-MS)

iMScope is equipped with atmospheric pressure MALDI. iMScope specializes in IMS. This equipment meets various demands such as Ultraflex.

Waters SYNAPT (QTOF-MS with ion mobility)

Waters SYNAPT is a hybrid tandem MS equipment which is arranged quadruple and time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry in series. This high spatial solution and MS/MS can make a qualitative analysis of unknown compounds more efficient. We switch to LC/MS during the examination, it takes more time than other facilities.

Equipment: Use DESI

DESI (Desorption ElectroSpray Ionization) is ionization that irradiates the surface of the sample by charged drop generated by electrospray. Ionization based on electrospray doesn't influence on the sample compared to MALDI and doesn't even need preprocessing such as matrix application, MALDI is a higher spatial solution though. Our company tries to develop a sensitivity of DESI to reflect on our service.

We use the below types of equipment for IMS with DESI.

Waters Xevo QToF

Xevo QTOF is a hybrid tandem MS equipment which is arranged quadruple and time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry in series. This high spatial solution and MS/MS can make a qualitative analysis of unknown compounds more efficient.

Waters Xevo TQ-XS

This equipment is a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer that is arranged quadrupole mass spectrometer in series. The property of this device is SRM(selected reaction monitoring) that makes IMS more high selectivity.