OpenMZxy

OpenMZxy controls mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) experiments by integrating a low-temperature plasma (LTP) ambient ionization probe coupled to a quadrupole mass analyzer and USB plug-and-play components to acquire spatially resolved distributions of metabolites, proteins, and lipids in biological tissues.

Key Features:

• Cost-Effective Setup: Paired with a basic MSI system assembled from affordable, USB plug-and-play components for low-cost hardware integration.
• Versatile Ionization Source: Employs a low-temperature plasma (LTP) ambient ionization probe coupled to a quadrupole mass analyzer, enabling ionization of volatile and semi-volatile metabolites.
• Resolution and Sampling Area: Supports a practical spatial resolution of 1 mm across a 100×100 mm sampling area, enabling up to 10,000 sampling points per image.
• Sampling Modes: Supports both automatic and manual sampling modes and records position data for each sampling point.
• Analyzer Compatibility: Prototype system is adaptable for use with various types of mass analyzers, extending applicability across different instrument platforms.

Scientific Applications:

• Spatial metabolomics, lipidomics, and proteomics: Enables mapping of metabolites, proteins, and lipids within biological tissues for spatially resolved molecular analysis.
• Imaging of volatile and semi-volatile metabolites: Facilitates spatial mapping of volatile and semi-volatile small molecules using ambient LTP ionization.
• Natural product localization and discovery: Supports localization studies exemplified by imaging metabolites in Capsicum annuum ('Jalapeño pepper'), confirming capsaicin in the placenta and identifying previously unknown low molecular weight compounds in defined areas.

Methodology:

Acquisition uses an ambient low-temperature plasma (LTP) ionization probe coupled to a quadrupole mass analyzer with position-recorded sampling across a defined grid.