Atomic and Molecular Mass Spectrometry Imaging

Abstract

This review article summarizes the practical aspects of contemporary mass spectrometry imaging (MSI). Although the number of MSI academic installations in the Czech Republic is less than ten, we expect a substantial spreading into further basic or applied research areas. At present, most of mass spectrometry vendors offer MSI packages, and we hope that in future this technique will be as common as optical microscopy. Visualization of components without any labelling represents a significant advantage. On the other hand, the condition of a sufficient analytical dynamic range and ionization efficiencies of visualized components should be fulfilled in any successful experiment.