Mass spectrometry coupled to imaging techniques: the better the view the greater the challenge.

摘要: These are definitively exciting times for membrane lipid researchers. Once considered just as the cell building blocks, important role these lipids play is steadily being acknowledged. The improvement occurred in mass spectrometry techniques (MS) allows establishment of precise composition biological extracts. However, to fully understand function each individual species, we need know its spatial distribution and dynamics. In past ten years, field has experienced a profound revolution thanks development MS-based allowing imaging (MSI). Images reveal verify what many researchers had already shown by different means, but none convincing an image: type presents specific composition, which highly sensitive physiological pathological state. While will help place position they deserve, also open black box containing all unknown regulatory mechanisms accounting such tailored composition. Thus, results urges disciplines redefine their paradigm study including complexity revealed MSI techniques.