A Beginner’s Guide to Mass Spectrometry Imaging

Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI) builds upon conventional mass spectrometry by allowing molecular distributions to be visualised directly from a sample surface. Unlike traditional approaches that require homogenisation and extraction, MSI captures mass spectra at defined spatial coordinates, building detailed molecular maps. Technological advancements in MSI have enabled very high spatial resolution and faster acquisition speeds. These developments have expanded MSI’s applications across biomedical research, pharmaceutical development, and forensic analysis, establishing it as a powerful tool for spatial-omics and molecular imaging.