Recent advances in inorganic materials for LDI-MS analysis of small molecules

In this review, various inorganic materials were summarized for the analysis of small molecules by laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS).

Applications of nanomaterials in mass spectrometry analysis

Mass spectrometry (MS) based analyses have received intense research interest in a series of rapidly developing disciplines. Although current MS techniques have enjoyed great successes, several key challenges still remain in practical applications, especially for the detection of biomolecules in biological systems. The use of nanomaterials in MS based analysis provides a promising approach due to their unique physical and chemical properties. In this review, nanomaterials with different compositions and nanostructures employed in MS applications are summarised and classified by their functions. Such an integrated and wide reaching review will provide a comprehensive handbook to researchers with various backgrounds working in this exciting interdisciplinary area.

Nonthermal Current-Stimulated Desorption of Gases from Carbon Nanotubes

The desorption of gases from carbon nanotubes is usually a slow process that limits the nanotubes’ utility as sensors or as memristors. Here, we demonstrate that flow in the nanotube above the Poole-Frenkel conduction threshold can stimulate adsorbates to desorb without heating the sensor substantially. The method is general: alcohols, aromatics, amines, and phosphonates were all found to desorb. We postulate that the process is analogous to electron-stimulated desorption, but with an internally conducted rather than externally applied source of electrons.

Mass spectrometry imaging of pharmacological compounds in tissue sections

The use of MS imaging (MSI) to resolve the spatial and pharmacodynamic distributions of compounds in tissues is emerging as a powerful tool for pharmacological research. Unlike established imaging techniques, only limited a priori knowledge is required and no extensive manipulation (e.g., radiolabeling) of drugs is necessary prior to dosing. MS provides highly multiplexed detection, making it possible to identify compounds, their metabolites and other changes in biomolecular abundances directly off tissue sections in a single pass. This can be employed to obtain near cellular, or potentially subcellular, resolution images. Consideration of technical limitations that affect the process is required, from sample preparation through to analyte ionization and detection. The techniques have only recently been adapted for imaging and novel variations to the established MSI methodologies will further enhance the application of MSI for pharmacological research.