MALDI mass spectrometry imaging in targeted drug discovery and development: The pros, the cons, and prospects in global omics techniques

Abstract

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) is a label-free tissue-based throughput analytical technology for the qualitative and quantitative spatial analyses of biomolecules, such as proteins and peptides, lipids, drug molecules and/or their metabolites. It has proven to be a useful analytical platform in new drug discovery, disease diagnosis and prognosis, and evaluation of drug efficacy. We provide a brief and succinct overview of the role of these thematic areas in this review. We then draw the attention of the readgsers to the strengths and weaknesses of MALDI-MSI in global omics particularly, metabolomics, lipidomics and proteomics. By so doing, we throw light on the scientific areas that need redress in order to fully realize the potential of this analytical platform.