macroMS

macroMS performs image-guided matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry acquisition and analysis to enable spatially resolved chemical characterization of macroscopic samples.

Key Features:

• Image-guided analysis: Aligns optical imaging from a camera or flatbed scanner to guide MALDI-TOF acquisition for targeted sampling of specific locations on sample surfaces such as microbial colonies and liquid microdroplets.
• Target recognition and filtering: Identifies and filters targets within optical images to restrict spectral acquisition to relevant sample regions.
• Correction for optical distortion: Corrects optical distortion in acquired images to improve the spatial accuracy of target localization and alignment with spectral data.
• Custom geometry file integration: Integrates custom geometry files for mass spectrometry devices to enable targeted acquisition at predefined coordinates.
• Data analysis and visualization: Provides data analysis and visualization tools to assist identification of samples containing compounds of interest, with limited in-suite analysis capabilities.

Scientific Applications:

• High-throughput screening: Applied to rapid screening workflows, including assaying enzyme mutant libraries of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
• Nanoliter droplet analysis: Used for analysis of nL droplet arrays containing Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas fluorescens.
• Rapid large-scale biochemical analyses: Enables high-throughput processing at rates reported at approximately 2 seconds per sample for large-scale chemical characterization.

Methodology:

Optical imaging of macroscopic samples is processed to identify target areas, optical distortions are corrected, custom geometry files are integrated for targeted MALDI-TOF acquisition, and resulting spectra are analyzed and visualized within the suite.