Authors:

Emma Hoffman

Date Created:

Not specified

Course Title:

Professor:

Not specified

About Paper:

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a powerful analytical technique used to visualize the distribution of biomolecules in tissue samples. However, detecting certain classes of molecules, such as amino acids, sterols, fatty acids, and peptides, poses a challenge due to their low ionization efficiency, resulting in weak signals that are hard to distinguish from noise. To overcome this limitation, chemical derivatization techniques are employed, where specific functional groups within these molecules react with reagents to enhance their ionization properties. In this study, we focus on improving the detection of amino acids, sterols, and lipids for their application in nanoDESI (nanospray desorption electrospray ionization) imaging, which requires a quick reaction with few intermediates. 9-Fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl chloride (Fmoc-Cl) and 2-picolylamine were utilized for amino acid derivatization, while betaine aldehyde was employed for sterol and lipid derivatization. Dansyl chloride was used for all three molecule classes. Analysis of the samples was conducted using a linear ion trap mass spectrometer (LTQ) and trapped ion mobility time-of-flight spectrometer (timsTOF). Through mass spectrometry experimental analysis, we were able to prove that Fmoc-Cl, betaine aldehyde, and dansyl chloride are all effective derivatization agents for their respective classes of biomolecules and might be employed for future uses in MSI.

Source:

Purdue University / 2023

Topics:

No topics listed

Co-authors:

Emma Hoffman