The application notes of the Neo-Source MSI DPI list pathology diagnosis as a key area, covering disease biomarker discovery, early diagnosis and determining tumor grade. MSI provides in-situ information of 'molecular species + coordinates', and can lock molecules specifically enriched or absent by comparing spectral differences between tumor and paratumor regions.
Its engineering advantages fit this scenario: matrix-free, low ion suppression, tissue analyzed directly; 20–200 μm adjustable resolution; the section remains intact after imaging for continued H&E or IHC validation.
In a published DPI case, positive ion mode showed the nevus region mainly presented choline, phosphocholine, S1P, cholesterol, PC and SM, while normal tissue was mostly non-polar lipids such as MAG, DAG and TG; the specific distributions of S1P, cholesterol, PC34:1 and PC38:4 highly matched the H&E nevus region. Negative ion mode presented different PE, PA and PI spectral features, and IHC verified cholesterol aggregation in the nevus region (Talanta, 2021).
This case shows: the molecular boundary can clearly distinguish 'nevus region' from 'normal tissue', and the characteristic molecule distribution corresponds highly with histological structure, validating the 'imaging + pathology' paradigm.
Multiple sample images in the DPI case showed common distribution patterns, suggesting a basis for establishing distinction and diagnosis. Registering MSI sections with adjacent H&E/IHC sections can overlay molecular signals onto histological boundaries, giving the 'tumor–paratumor' judgment both morphological and molecular dual evidence.
For scenarios requiring higher spatial resolution (e.g., judging whether molecules localize to a specific cell band or gland), 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.
MSI-discovered distinction biomarkers are currently mostly at the research and translation stage; entering formal diagnosis still requires standardization, cohort validation and regulatory approval. It has clear value in 'assisting biomarker discovery', 'explaining mechanisms' and 'complementing existing diagnosis'.
Engineered to be compatible with mainstream mass spectrometers from Agilent, AB SCIEX and Thermo, DPI provides 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 paratumor-distinction research.
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).