Abstract

Towards Reliable Mass Spectrometry Methods for Metabolomics Research

Alan Race, Research Scientist, National Physical Laboratory

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a rapidly growing field which includes a suite of techniques capable of providing ‘information-rich’ images in diverse application areas including materials research, forensics, biomedicine and drug development. The wealth of available methods, uncertainties in the techniques and sheer volume of data generated make the task of evaluating MS approaches extremely challenging. Increased confidence in MSI can only be achieved by establishing an understanding of the fundamentals of the techniques alongside development of an appropriate metrology framework, suitable reference standards and higher order reference measurement procedures. We present results from studies probing the performance of MALDI, DESI, PADI and LESA for a range of analytes. Metrology investigations into sampling mechanisms, optimum ion source configurations and technique fundamentals will be discussed. Within this work we also consider methods for handling large data volumes and comparing data from multiple samples and experiments, essential for large MS imaging studies in metabolomics research.