What does LAESI image with?

Pulsed-laser ablation of the tissue surface produces a molecule-containing plume, then electrospray ionization collects it; ablation samples, electrospray ionizes, ambient and matrix-free.

What samples is LAESI suitable for?

In-situ imaging of water-rich samples such as living animal tissue and plant leaves, with small trauma and repeatable sampling; plant secondary metabolites are a classic scenario.

Does LAESI need matrix?

It needs no MALDI matrix; ablation occurs ambient and matrix-free, a low-prep route.

How to choose between LAESI and LDPI/DPI/DESI?

LAESI uses laser ablation plus electrospray, suiting water-rich in-vivo/plant samples; DESI uses spray desorption, LDPI/DPI use photochemical ionization; choose by sample state and resolution needs.

Technology Primer · Mass Spectrometry Imaging

LAESI Laser Ablation Electrospray Ionization

LAESI (Laser Ablation Electrospray Ionization) uses pulsed-laser ablation of the tissue surface to produce a molecule-containing plume, then converts it into ions via electrospray ionization (ESI). It is an ion source for ambient, matrix-free, in-situ MSI of living tissue and plants.

Table of Contents
Working Principle: Ablation + Electrospray Ionization In-Vivo and Plant Imaging Advantages Imaging Performance and Limitations Positioning Among Other Ambient Sources

LAESI Laser Ablation Electrospray Ionization — schematic diagram

Working Principle: Ablation + Electrospray Ionization

A pulsed laser focuses on the tissue surface, vaporizing/ablating local tissue into a molecule-containing plume; charged droplets from electrospray meet this plume and complete ionization through droplet collision before entering the analyzer. Ablation provides sampling, electrospray provides ionization.

Because ablation occurs at ambient pressure and matrix-free, LAESI avoids MALDI's matrix spraying and differs from pure DESI's liquid-phase desorption, suiting direct sampling of surfaces (water-rich tissue, plant sections).

In-Vivo and Plant Imaging Advantages

LAESI can image living animal tissue, plant leaves, and other water-rich samples in-situ, with small trauma and repeatable sampling, suiting longitudinal studies (repeated observation of the same site). Plants, rich in water and secondary metabolites, are a classic LAESI application scenario.

Its ambient nature eases operation in open environments, and with optical positioning it can sample specific regions, supporting in-vivo molecular dynamics observation.

Imaging Performance and Limitations

LAESI images metabolites, lipids, and secondary metabolites well; spatial resolution is limited by laser spot and electrospray geometry, typically on the order of tens to hundreds of microns. Ablation depth control determines sampling layer thickness.

For subcellular resolution or extreme background control, LAESI is not the strongest; for ambient, in-vivo, plant, or coarse-resolution in-situ imaging, it is a distinctive choice.

Positioning Among Other Ambient Sources

LAESI, DESI, LDPI, and DPI all belong to the ambient matrix-free family: DESI desorbs by spray, LDPI/DPI by photochemical ionization, LAESI by laser ablation plus electrospray. For water-rich in-vivo/plant samples, LAESI's ablation sampling is more direct.

Selection should combine the sample's water state, whether repeated in-vivo sampling is needed, and the host interface; Neo-Source LDPI/DPI can serve as an alternative or supplement for ambient matrix-free imaging.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What does LAESI image with?: Pulsed-laser ablation of the tissue surface produces a molecule-containing plume, then electrospray ionization collects it; ablation samples, electrospray ionizes, ambient and matrix-free.
What samples is LAESI suitable for?: In-situ imaging of water-rich samples such as living animal tissue and plant leaves, with small trauma and repeatable sampling; plant secondary metabolites are a classic scenario.
Does LAESI need matrix?: It needs no MALDI matrix; ablation occurs ambient and matrix-free, a low-prep route.
How to choose between LAESI and LDPI/DPI/DESI?: LAESI uses laser ablation plus electrospray, suiting water-rich in-vivo/plant samples; DESI uses spray desorption, LDPI/DPI use photochemical ionization; choose by sample state and resolution needs.

Get Specifications & Quotation

To obtain detailed specifications, compatible models, or a quotation for the MSI LDPI / DPI full series imaging ion sources, visit the Neo-Source official website, or contact the official team for compatibility advice tailored to your mass spectrometer (Agilent / SCIEX / Thermo and other mainstream MS).

DESI Neo-Source MSI LDPI Laser Desorption Photoionization imaging ion source DPI Dual-Photoionization Imaging Source In-situ Analysis (In-situ)Ambient Operation (Ambient Operation)

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