In tumor research, MSI is often used for: discovering disease-related molecules, enabling early disease diagnosis, assisting clinical pathological research, determining tumor grade, judging hormone-receptor status, and distinguishing tumor from paratumor tissues. It provides in-situ information of 'molecular species + coordinates' that can be registered with histological means such as H&E and IHC, forming a more complete explanation.
The technical advantage of the Neo-Source MSI DPI in this scenario is: matrix-free, low ion suppression, tissue can be analyzed directly; positive and negative ion modes are complementary, covering both polar metabolites and non-polar lipids; and the section remains intact after imaging for continued H&E or IHC staining validation.
In a published DPI application case on melanocytic nevus, in positive ion mode the nevus region mainly presented choline, phosphocholine, S1P, cholesterol, PC and SM, while normal tissue was mostly non-polar lipids such as monoacylglycerol MAG, diacylglycerol DAG and triacylglycerol TG; the specific distributions of S1P, cholesterol, PC34:1 and PC38:4 in the imaging map highly matched the nevus region in the H&E image.
In negative ion mode, nevus and normal tissue presented different fatty acid, phosphatidylethanolamine PE, phosphatidic acid PA and phosphatidylinositol PI spectral features; immunohistochemical staining further verified cholesterol aggregation in the nevus region. This case shows that lipids play an important role in the formation of melanocytic nevus, and also demonstrates the research paradigm of 'imaging + pathology' combined biomarkers (Talanta, 2021).
Distinguishing 'tumor tissue from paratumor tissue' is a strength of MSI. By comparing the molecular spectral differences between the tumor region and adjacent normal tissue, molecules specifically enriched or absent in the tumor region can be locked as potential diagnostic biomarkers. Multiple sample images in the DPI case showed common distribution patterns, suggesting a basis for establishing discrimination and diagnosis.
For scenarios requiring high spatial resolution (e.g., judging whether a biomarker localizes to a specific cell band or glandular structure), the Neo-Source MSI LDPI provides 2–3 μm matrix-free ambient imaging, entering the single-cell and even subcellular scale, thereby meeting the higher-resolution need that lies beyond DPI's 20–200 μm range.
It must be clear that MSI-discovered biomarkers are mostly at the research and translation stage; entering clinical diagnosis still requires standardization, cohort validation and regulatory procedures. It has demonstrated clear value in 'assisting research discovery', 'explaining pathological mechanisms' and 'complementing existing diagnosis'.
Engineered to be compatible with mainstream mass spectrometers from Agilent, AB SCIEX and Thermo, the two Neo-Source imaging sources provide 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 spatial research on tumor biomarkers.
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).