Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging of tissue samples is an ever growing field which has the potential to advance proteomics and biomarker discoveries for disease related research. One of the largest obstacles the technique must face is the lack of standardization among the protocols used to carry out imaging. Here, an overall review of sample preparation is presented. Attention is given to the process known as washing. Tissue images relay information on the position and relative quantity of proteins and other biomolecules within an organ section. The washing process is crucial in ensuring that protein delocalization does not occur while also ensuring that the signal-to-noise ratio is not diminished after matrix application. Finally, classification algorithms provide a method of differentiating and identifying various tissues given MALDI-MS spectral data. A set of these classification algorithms are reviewed and optimized to provide better classification for use in MALDI tissue biomarker discovery and medical applications.
- Preparation, Acquisition, and Analysis of Biological Samples Using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
- Josue Alfaro
- Jeffrey Agar (Advisor)
- Brandeis University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences; Master of Science (MS)
- Master of Science (MS), Brandeis University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
- Brandeis University
- Brandeis University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
- 10192/91; 9923879938101921
- Copyright by Josue Alfaro 2012
- Department of Chemistry
- English
- Thesis