Many key mechanisms occur at the organelle level: distribution of lipids on membranes, transfer of metabolites between cytoplasm and nucleus, aggregation of signaling molecules at specific structures. Population or single-cell average measurement flattens this structural information. Subcellular imaging uses MSI to advance resolution to the organelle scale, directly revealing the spatial localization of molecules.
The Neo-Source MSI LDPI provides 2–3 μm matrix-free ambient imaging, with resolution entering subcellular scale; combined with ambient open-air operation, samples need no vacuum and no matrix, suitable for fresh or frozen tissue analyzed directly.
The Neo-Source MSI LDPI combines laser desorption with photoionization, requiring no matrix spraying and no matrix interference, capable of detecting a minimum m/z as low as 70, keeping the small-molecule low-mass spectrum very clean; the 2–3 μm spatial resolution is among the leading in the industry, able to depict molecular distribution at the subcellular scale.
LDPI is compatible with mainstream mass spectrometers from Agilent, AB SCIEX and Thermo, following the engineering route of matrix-free preparation and ready-to-use, making subcellular imaging easier to translate from research into production and testing environments.
Subcellular imaging can be used for: distribution of lipids on membrane structures, molecular features of neuronal subcellular regions, internal chemistry of microbial single cells, and molecular localization of specific cell bands in pathological tissue. Neo-Source's website news notes that when spatial resolution moves from tissue level to 2–3 μm, imaging enters the single-cell and subcellular scale, raising new life-science research questions.
For needs requiring wide polarity coverage at the subcellular scale simultaneously, LDPI's matrix-free and clean small-molecule low-mass features are especially well suited, and it can complement DPI (20–200 μm, no polarity bias) by scale and polarity.
Subcellular MSI has higher requirements for resolution, signal intensity and statistical sample size; when single-point signal is weak, scan step size and validation workflow should be carefully designed, and conclusions should be combined with complementary methods such as electron microscopy and fluorescence. Its core value lies in providing the dimension of 'subcellular molecular space'.
Engineered, the two Neo-Source imaging sources are compatible with mainstream mass spectrometers, providing a proprietary titanium-alloy ion-transfer tube that does not damage the sample at the front end and is detachable for cleaning, enabling stable and reproducible subcellular imaging.
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).