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Peer-reviewedCC BYAnalytical chemistry

Enabling High-Throughput Tissue Sectioning for Robust Lipid Mass Spectrometry Imaging.

  • Ruben Jacobs1
  • Ritesh Chidambaram2
  • Vincent Steinbacher3
  • Chenwei Wei2
  • Tim Ragan2
  • Michiel Vandenbosch1
  • Ron M A Heeren1
  1. 1The Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging (M4I) Institute, Division of Imaging Mass Spectrometry (IMS), Maastricht University, Maastricht6229 ER, The Netherlands.
  2. 2TissueVision 150 California St STE 303, Newton, MA02458, The United States.
  3. 3Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich81675, Germany.
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Abstract

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) has been established as a powerful tool for the spatial characterization of molecules. Recent advances have been driven by improvements in the spatial resolution, acquisition time, and sensitivity. Although MALDI-MSI excels in the label-free, multiplexed detection of biomolecules, variations in sample preparation remain a significant source of experimental variability. Here, we present a workflow demonstrating the integration of a robust, completely automated tissue section processing system into a MALDI workflow. Importantly, PFA fixation and agarose embedding are demonstrated to preserve lipid compositional distributions. Combined, it enables robust and stable lipid imaging across a completely sectioned mouse brain. The integration of the Marinus MP system advances mass-spectrometry imaging toward a fully automated workflow, significantly reduces sample-preparation variability, and enables more consistent, reliable data acquisition and improved biological interpretation. Parallel with sectioning, serial two-photon (STP) tomography is used to acquire high-resolution digital images of every single section, providing a structural reference for downstream analyses. We demonstrate how the Allen Mouse Brain Atlas can be seamlessly integrated with these multimodal imaging data sets. This workflow enables precise region-specific comparisons and enriches the anatomical context with robust molecular information.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{jacobs2026enabling,
  title = {{Enabling High-Throughput Tissue Sectioning for Robust Lipid Mass Spectrometry Imaging.}},
  author = {Ruben Jacobs and Ritesh Chidambaram and Vincent Steinbacher and Chenwei Wei and Tim Ragan and Michiel Vandenbosch and Ron M A Heeren},
  journal = {Analytical chemistry},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1021/acs.analchem.6c03106},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42915698},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Enabling High-Throughput Tissue Sectioning for Robust Lipid Mass Spectrometry Imaging.
AU  - Ruben Jacobs
AU  - Ritesh Chidambaram
AU  - Vincent Steinbacher
AU  - Chenwei Wei
AU  - Tim Ragan
AU  - Michiel Vandenbosch
AU  - Ron M A Heeren
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/01
JO  - Analytical chemistry
DO  - 10.1021/acs.analchem.6c03106
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42915698
AB  - Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) has been established as a powerful tool for the spatial characterization of molecules. Recent advances have been driven by improvements in the spatial resolution, acquisition time, and sensitivity. Although MALDI-MSI excels in the label-free, multiplexed detection of biomolecules, variations in sample preparation remain a significant source of experimental variability. Here, we present a workflow demonstrating the integration of a robust, completely automated tissue section processing system into a MALDI workflow. Importantly, PFA fixation and agarose embedding are demonstrated to preserve lipid compositional distributions. Combined, it enables robust and stable lipid imaging across a completely sectioned mouse brain. The integration of the Marinus MP system advances mass-spectrometry imaging toward a fully automated workflow, significantly reduces sample-preparation variability, and enables more consistent, reliable data acquisition and improved biological interpretation. Parallel with sectioning, serial two-photon (STP) tomography is used to acquire high-resolution digital images of every single section, providing a structural reference for downstream analyses. We demonstrate how the Allen Mouse Brain Atlas can be seamlessly integrated with these multimodal imaging data sets. This workflow enables precise region-specific comparisons and enriches the anatomical context with robust molecular information.
SN  - 0003-2700
SN  - 1520-6882
ER  -