Probe-based chemical modulations of tissues for IMS

Chemical modulation imaging over a tissue is gaining momentum in the field of mass spectrometry. Some endogenous or exogenous compounds present in a tissue can be visualized by imaging mass spectrometry after chemical derivatization. This approach gives researchers the possibility to elude chemical interferences in components of the tissues, such as lipids or salts, as well as interferences caused by the matrix. The use of primary and secondary antibodies, the chemical derivatization of peptides and small molecules, and the use of ¹⁸O labeling are various examples reviewed in this article to demonstrate the importance and potential of this emerging aspect of imaging mass spectrometry.This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Imaging Mass Spectrometry: A User's Guide to a New Technique for Biological and Biomedical Research.