{
  "abstract": "Desorption electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry imaging (DESI–MSI) enables ambient, matrix-free molecular imaging with minimal sample preparation. This protocol describes a workflow for single-cell MSI of OVCAR-8 cells using DESI coupled to Orbitrap mass spectrometers. The system integrates a DESI sprayer, a modified mass spectrometer interface, a motorized XYZ stage, and an optical breadboard for high-spatial-resolution imaging. Cells are cultured on gridded glass coverslips, washed with ammonium formate solution to reduce salt interference, dried, and analyzed under ambient conditions. Solvent is delivered continuously using a nano-liquid chromatography system, and nebulizing nitrogen gas is regulated to maintain spray stability. The protocol also describes raster imaging, pixel control, and optical-to-mass spectrometry image registration for single-cell localization. High mass resolution and mass accuracy provided by Orbitrap detection enable differentiation of closely related molecular species and support single-cell metabolomic analysis. This protocol provides an adaptable strategy for implementing high-spatial-resolution single-cell MSI using multiple Orbitrap mass spectrometer platforms.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma",
    "Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Campus"
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Nathan Colwell"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Dan Chen"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Deepti Bhusal"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Zongkai Peng"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Zhibo Yang"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/az5tzttj2pyh9.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3791/71691",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13726570/",
  "id": "az5tzttj2pyh9",
  "issns": [
    "1940-087X"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.3791/71691",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND-3.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND 3.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Article"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "1607|Mass Spectrometry Techniques and Applications"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7164674976",
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": "PMC13726570",
  "pmid": "42371812",
  "published": "2026-06-12",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/az5tzttj2pyh9.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-05T12:22:53Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13726570",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.3791/71691"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "chemistry",
      "origin": "openalex:1607|Mass Spectrometry Techniques and Applications",
      "subfield": "physical"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Single-Cell Mass Spectrometry Imaging Using Desorption Electrospray Ionization Coupled To Orbitrap Mass Spectrometers",
  "title_text": "Single-Cell Mass Spectrometry Imaging Using Desorption Electrospray Ionization Coupled To Orbitrap Mass Spectrometers",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-06T12:22:29Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/az5tzttj2pyh9",
  "venue": "Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE",
  "versions": []
}