This work is supported by the Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica and the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan, the Republic of China (Contract No. 104-2119-M-001-014).

NOTE: This protocol is developed for reducing the spatial heterogeneity of maltotriose and bradykinin fragment (1-7) prepared with the dried-droplet method. The protocol consists of three main steps, including preparation and preconditioning, sample deposition and drying, and mass spectrometry data analysis. The procedures are outlined and described in more detail below:
1. Preparation and Preconditioning
<ol>
	<li>Cleaning the Sample Plate
	<ol>
		<li>Wear nitrile gloves and hand-wash the sample plate gently with detergent and distilled-deionized water (DDW).</li>
		<li>Rinse the sample plate with methanol (MeOH) and DDW.</li>
		<li>Insert the sample plate in a 600 ml beaker and fill with DDW.</li>
		<li>Sonicate the sample plate in DDW for 15 min in an ultrasonic bath (200 W, 40 kHz).</li>
		<li>Remove DDW from the beaker and fill the beaker with MeOH.</li>
		<li>Sonicate the sample plate in MeOH for 15 min in the ultrasonic bath (200 W, 40 kHz).</li>
		<li>Blow off the solvent drops on the plate with nitrogen gas and keep the sample plate dry before sample deposition.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Regulating Drying Chamber Temperature 
	NOTE: The drying chamber is a 35 x 20 x 45 cm3 (W x D x H) acrylic chamber. Figure 1 shows the picture of this drying system. The chamber is purged with room temperature nitrogen gas through a gas flowmeter at a constant flow rate to maintain a low relative humidity condition monitored by a calibrated hygrometer installed inside the drying chamber. A copper base block in the drying chamber equipped with a programmed constant temperature water circulator is used to accommodate stainless steel sample plates. The copper base block is able to regulate the sample plate temperature from 5 to 25 &#176;C. The temperatures of air, copper base block, and the sample plate are monitored by K-type thermocouples.
	<ol>
		<li>Open the door and rapidly put the sample plate on the copper base block then close the door.</li>
		<li>Manually adjust the gas flowmeter to set the nitrogen flow rate to 10 standard cubic feet per hour (SCFH).</li>
		<li>Monitor the relative humidity in the drying chamber by the hygrometer and fine tune the gas flowmeter to ensure the relative humidity is always below 25%.</li>
		<li>Monitor the temperature of the sample plate by K-type thermocouples and adjust the water circulator temperature manually until the sample plate reaches 5 &#176;C for experiment or room temperature (25 &#176;C) for control. 
		NOTE: In order to stabilize the sample plate at a designed temperature, the water circulator temperature is typically set 0 to 5 &#176;C lower than the designed sample. For example, to maintain 5 &#176;C at the sample plate, the temperature setting of the water circulator is in the range of 0 to 2 &#176;C; to maintain the sample plate at 25 &#176;C, the temperature setting of the water circulator is in the range of 23 to 25 &#176;C.</li>
		<li>Ensure the required temperatures and the relative humidity are reached (Table 1) before sample deposition. 
		NOTE: All parameters as well as their setting values for the drying processes with different sample plate temperatures are shown in Table 1. 
		NOTE: At a low sample plate temperature, water condensation on the sample plate may occur if the chamber door is open for a long time. If water condensation occurs, close the door and DO NOT deposit any sample on it until water condensation is dried out.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Preparation of Matrix and Analyte Solutions
	<ol>
		<li>Preparation of matrix solutions
		<ol>
			<li>Prepare 0.1 M THAP solution with 50% acetonitrile (ACN): 50% DDW aqueous solution.</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
		<li>Preparation of analytes
		<ol>
			<li>Prepare 10-4 M maltotriose solution with DDW.</li>
			<li>Prepare 10-5 M bradykinin fragment (1-7) solution in 50% acetonitrile (ACN) : 50% DDW aqueous solution.</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
2. Sample Deposition and Drying
<ol>
	<li>Premix 0.25 &#181;l of 0.1 M THAP solution and 0.25 &#181;l of 10-4 M maltotriose or 10-5 M bradykinin fragment (1-7) solutions in a microcentrifuge tube.</li>
	<li>Vortex the mixed solution for 3 sec.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge the mixed solution for 2 sec (2,000 x g) to collect the solution at the bottom of the centrifuge tube.</li>
	<li>Open the door of the drying chamber, carefully deposit 0.1 &#181;l of the solution on the sample plate with pipette and close the door immediately.</li>
	<li>Wait for the sample droplet to dry out. 
	NOTE: The typically observed drying times with different sample plate temperatures are listed in Table 1. For sample plate temperature of 5 &#176;C, the average drying time is 800 to 1,000 sec; for sample plate temperature of 25 &#176;C, the average drying time is 100 to 150 sec.</li>
	<li>After drying, open the door of the drying chamber.</li>
	<li>Set the water circulator temperature to room temperature (25 &#176;C). 
	NOTE: Skip this step if the sample plate is kept constantly at room temperature (25 &#176;C) during the drying process.</li>
	<li>After the sample plate temperature returns to room temperature (25 &#176;C), remove the sample plate from the drying chamber.</li>
	<li>Examine the sample morphology under a 5X stereomicroscope and take a snapshot bright-field image. 
	NOTE: If the crystal morphologies are not as expected, it is necessary to prepare a new sample with the same procedure. Typical crystal morphologies are shown in the upper panels of Figure 2. 
	NOTE: In the cases with low sample plate temperatures, such as 5 &#176;C, it is important to warm up the sample plate to room temperature before taking it out of the drying chamber. When depositing the samples, DO NOT keep the premixed solution in the tip of the pipette over 10 sec. DO NOT use the premixed solution again after depositing the samples. The upper panels of Figure 2 show bright-field images of samples prepared with different sample plate temperatures.</li>
</ol>
3. Mass Spectrometry Data Analysis
<ol>
	<li>Mass Spectrometry Data Acquisition 
	NOTE: After preparation, the sample can be analyzed using imaging mass spectrometry. In the current study, the imaging MS experiments are conducted using a laboratory-built synchronized dual-polarity TOF (DP-TOF) imaging mass spectrometer.15 Commercial MALDI-TOF mass spectrometers with imaging capability are also suitable for such experiments. The mass spectrometer is operated in linear extraction and positive ion modes with optimized extraction delays. The kinetic energy of ions is 20 kV. The laser beam size is 35 &#181;m in diameter on the sample surface, and the spectrum of every spot is the average of 5 laser shots.
	<ol>
		<li>Insert the sample plate into the MALDI mass spectrometer.</li>
		<li>Perform imaging mass spectrometry analysis to the sample prepared in steps 2.1-2.9.</li>
		<li>Select a characteristic mass peak from the mass list shown in the result window and click &#34;2D&#34; to plot a two-dimensional ion image. 
		NOTE: For maltotriose mixed with THAP, the characteristic peaks are sodiated maltotriose, protonated THAP, and sodiated THAP. For bradykinin fragment (1-7) mixed with THAP, the characteristic peaks include protonated bradykinin fragment (1-7), protonated THAP, and sodiated THAP.</li>
		<li>Click the adjustment buttons in the popup window to determine the upper and lower limits of the signal intensity and click &#34;save a picture&#34;. This setting defines the contrast of ion images. 
		NOTE: In every individual set of data, the cracked regions and the null spots showing low brightness are eliminated.</li>
		<li>Observe and compare the ion image with the bright-field image that was taken at step 2.9. 
		NOTE: Imaging mass spectrometry and construction of images of particular ions can be achieved with commercial instruments. Due to the variety of data acquisition and analysis software, the users should follow software instructions provided by the instrument vendor to get high quality images.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Data Analysis 
	NOTE: The heterogeneity of samples is analyzed quantitatively. In this demonstration, every sample is divided into multiple concentric areas by software developed in-house to analyze the spatial distribution of the ions. The analysis can also be performed using stand-alone data analysis software.
	<ol>
		<li>Click the null spots and the cracked regions in the ion image shown in the result window to remove unimportant areas. 
		NOTE: This procedure defines the essential area of ion image.</li>
		<li>Click &#34;find edge&#34; button to find the outmost layer of the ion image.</li>
		<li>Click &#34;deduct&#34; to save the ion abundance information of the outmost layer in a database and remove this layer from the ion image simultaneously. A check box representing this outmost layer will appear in the &#34;output data&#34; list of the result window.</li>
		<li>Repeat steps 3.2.2 and 3.2.3 until the center of the ion image is defined.</li>
		<li>Click and select all the check boxes in the &#34;output data&#34; list and click &#34;export&#34; to export the data.</li>
		<li>Open the exported data using spreadsheet software to calculate the average ion abundance of every layer to obtain the spatial distribution information of ions.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Karas, M., Hillenkamp, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Laser+Desorption+Ionization+of+Proteins+with+Molecular+Masses+Exceeding+10000+Daltons.">Laser Desorption Ionization of Proteins with Molecular Masses Exceeding 10000 Daltons.</a> Anal. Chem. 60, 2299-2301 (1988).</li><li>Beavis, R. C., Chait, B. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Velocity+Distributions+of+Intact+High+Mass+Polypeptide+Molecule+Ions+Produced+by+Matrix+Assisted+Laser+Desorption.">Velocity Distributions of Intact High Mass Polypeptide Molecule Ions Produced by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption.</a> Chem. Phys. Lett. 181, 479-484 (1991).</li><li>Beavis, R. C., Chaudhary, T., Chait, B. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Alpha-Cyano-4-Hydroxycinnamic+Acid+as+a+Matrix+for+Matrix-Assisted+Laser+Desorption+Mass-Spectrometry.">Alpha-Cyano-4-Hydroxycinnamic Acid as a Matrix for Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Mass-Spectrometry.</a> Org. Mass Spectrom. 27, 156-158 (1992).</li><li>Ehring, H., Karas, M., Hillenkamp, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Role+of+Photoionization+and+Photochemistry+in+Ionization+Processes+of+Organic-Molecules+and+Relevance+for+Matrix-Assisted+Laser+Desorption+Ionization+Mass-Spectrometry.">Role of Photoionization and Photochemistry in Ionization Processes of Organic-Molecules and Relevance for Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass-Spectrometry.</a> Org. Mass Spectrom. 27, 472-480 (1992).</li><li>Strupat, K., Karas, M., Hillenkamp, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=2,5-Dihydroxybenzoic+Acid+-+a+New+Matrix+for+Laser+Desorption+Ionization+Mass-Spectrometry.">2,5-Dihydroxybenzoic Acid - a New Matrix for Laser Desorption Ionization Mass-Spectrometry.</a> Int. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Process. 111, 89-102 (1991).</li><li>Hu, H., Larson, R. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evaporation+of+a+Sessile+Droplet+on+a+Substrate.">Evaporation of a Sessile Droplet on a Substrate.</a> J. Phys. Chem. B. 106, 1334-1344 (2002).</li><li>Deegan, R. D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Capillary+Flow+as+the+Cause+of+Ring+Stains+from+Dried+Liquid+Drops.">Capillary Flow as the Cause of Ring Stains from Dried Liquid Drops.</a> Nature. 389, 827-829 (1997).</li><li>Hu, J. -. B., Chen, Y. -. C., Urban, P. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Coffee-Ring+Effects+in+Laser+Desorption/Ionization+Mass+Spectrometry.">Coffee-Ring Effects in Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry.</a> Anal. Chim. Acta. 766, 77-82 (2013).</li><li>Schwartz, S. A., Reyzer, M. L., Caprioli, R. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Direct+Tissue+Analysis+Using+Matrix-Assisted+Laser+Desorption/Ionization+Mass+Spectrometry:+Practical+Aspects+of+Sample+Preparation.">Direct Tissue Analysis Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry: Practical Aspects of Sample Preparation.</a> J. Mass Spectrom. 38, 699-708 (2003).</li><li>Hu, H., Larson, R. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Marangoni+Effect+Reverses+Coffee-Ring+Depositions.">Marangoni Effect Reverses Coffee-Ring Depositions.</a> J. Phys. Chem. B. 110, 7090-7094 (2006).</li><li>Bhardwaj, R., Fang, X., Attinger, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pattern+Formation+During+the+Evaporation+of+a+Colloidal+Nanoliter+Drop:+A+Numerical+and+Experimental+Study.">Pattern Formation During the Evaporation of a Colloidal Nanoliter Drop: A Numerical and Experimental Study.</a> New J. Phys. 11, 075020 (2009).</li><li>Savino, R., Paterna, D., Favaloro, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Buoyancy+and+Marangoni+Effects+in+an+Evaporating+Drop.">Buoyancy and Marangoni Effects in an Evaporating Drop.</a> J Thermophys Heat Tr. 16, 562-574 (2002).</li><li>Probstein, R. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Surface Tension. in Physicochemical Hydrodynamics : An Introduction. , 305-361 (1994).</li><li>Lai, Y. -. H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Reducing+Spatial+Heterogeneity+of+MALDI+Samples+with+Marangoni+Flows+During+Sample+Preparation.">Reducing Spatial Heterogeneity of MALDI Samples with Marangoni Flows During Sample Preparation.</a> J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom. 27, 1314-1321 (2016).</li><li>Hsiao, C. -. H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comprehensive+Molecular+Imaging+of+Photolabile+Surface+Samples+with+Synchronized+Dual-Polarity+Time-of-Flight+Mass+Spectrometry.">Comprehensive Molecular Imaging of Photolabile Surface Samples with Synchronized Dual-Polarity Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.</a> Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 25, 834-842 (2011).</li><li>Vorm, O., Roepstorff, P., Mann, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Improved+Resolution+and+Very+High-Sensitivity+in+MALDI+TOF+of+Matrix+Surfaces+Made+by+Fast+Evaporation.">Improved Resolution and Very High-Sensitivity in MALDI TOF of Matrix Surfaces Made by Fast Evaporation.</a> Anal. Chem. 66, 3281-3287 (1994).</li><li>Gabriel, S. J., Schwarzinger, C., Schwarzinger, B., Panne, U., Weidner, S. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Matrix+Segregation+as+the+Major+Cause+for+Sample+Inhomogeneity+in+MALDI+Dried+Droplet+Spots.">Matrix Segregation as the Major Cause for Sample Inhomogeneity in MALDI Dried Droplet Spots.</a> J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom. 25, 1356-1363 (2014).</li><li>Mampallil, D., Eral, H. B., van den Ende, D., Mugele, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Control+of+Evaporating+Complex+Fluids+through+Electrowetting.">Control of Evaporating Complex Fluids through Electrowetting.</a> Soft Matter. 8, 10614-10617 (2012).</li></ol>

The authors declare no competing financial interest.

Based on previous theoretical predictions, temperature-induced hydrodynamic flows within droplets can overcome outward capillary flows induced by solvent evaporation. The efficiency of such internal recirculation of molecules is enhanced when the temperature gradients within a droplet increase. According to the predicted results, when keeping the sample plate temperature under 5 &#176;C while maintaining its surroundings at ambient temperature, the average velocity of recirculation flows within the droplet is about 4 tim...

Mass spectrometry (MS) is one of the most important analytical techniques for analyzing the molecular compositions of complex samples. Among all the ionization methods used in MS, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) is the most sensitive and widely used method in bioanalytical applications.1 In comparison to other ionization techniques, MALDI has the highest sensitivity and high tolerance to salt contaminants. Such analytical properties make MALDI the first choice for carbohydrate analysis and many proteomics applications. However, sample preparation is a crucial step for obtaining high quality data in MALDI-MS.
The most commonly used sample preparation method for MALDI-MS is the dried-droplet method, in which sample droplets are deposited on a surface and dried under ambient conditions. This drying method is simple and generally effective.2-5 However, a common problem in the dried-droplet method is that the resultant analyte/matrix crystals normally distribute irregularly. In many cases, the crystals aggregate at the periphery of sample areas, resulting in the so-called ring-stain formation.6-8 The heterogeneous crystal morphologies affect the spatial distribution of analyte molecules, which results in severe fluctuation in ion signal over sample areas. Such severe signal fluctuations and poor data reproducibility are known as the "sweet spot" problem in MALDI-MS.9 Thus, there is a great need for reducing spatial heterogeneities in MALDI-MS dried droplet applications.
Hydrodynamic flows in the sample droplet play an important role in determining the spatial distribution of samples prepared with the dried-droplet method.10-12 It was found that the evaporation of solvent induces outward capillary flows within droplets, which are responsible for the ring-stain formation.7,10 In contrast, recirculation flows induced by tangential surface-tension gradients may counterbalance the outward capillary flows.13 If the recirculation flow speeds are higher than that of the outward capillary flows, the samples can be efficiently redistributed to reduce the heterogeneity problem.14
In this work, we demonstrate a detailed protocol for preparing samples with a simple drying chamber to induce efficient recirculation flows during droplet drying processes. Droplet drying conditions are precisely controlled, including the temperatures of the sample plate and its surroundings, and the relative humidity within the chamber. The model analytes include maltotriose and bradykinin chain (1-7). The matrix used for the demonstration is 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone (THAP). The samples are examined with time-of-flight (TOF) MS, and the data are analyzed quantitatively to show the reduction of heterogeneity.

<table><tbody><tr><td>&lt;strong&gt;Reagent&lt;/strong&gt;</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Detergent powder</td><td>Alconox</td><td>242985</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Methanol</td><td>Merck</td><td>106009</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Acetonitrile</td><td>Merck</td><td>100003</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone (THAP)</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>T64602&amp;nbsp;</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Bradykinin fragment (1-7)</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>B1651</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Maltotriose</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>47884</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Pipette tips</td><td>Mettler Toledo</td><td>17005091</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Microcentrifuge tube</td><td>Axygen</td><td>MCT-150-C</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>&lt;strong&gt;Equipment&lt;/strong&gt;</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Milli-Q water purification system</td><td>Millipore</td><td>ZMQS6VFT1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Powder-free nitrile gloves</td><td>Microflex</td><td>SU-690</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>600 ml beaker</td><td>Duran</td><td>2110648</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ultrasonic cleaner</td><td>Delta</td><td>DC300H</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Hygrometer</td><td>Wisewind</td><td>5330</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Nitrogen gas flowmeter</td><td>Dwyer</td><td>RMA-6-SSV</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>K-type thermocouples</td><td>Digitron</td><td>311-1670</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Centrifuge</td><td>Select BioProducts</td><td>Force Mini&amp;nbsp;</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Pipette</td><td>Rainin</td><td>pipet-lite XLS</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Stereomicroscope</td><td>Olympus</td><td>SZX16</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Temperature controllable drying chamber</td><td>this lab</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Synchronized dual-polarity time-of-flight imaging mass spectrometer (DP-TOF IMS)</td><td>this lab</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>MALDI-TOF stainless steel sample target</td><td>this lab</td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

preparation of homogeneous maldi samples for quantitative applications

This protocol demonstrates a simple sample preparation to reduce spatial heterogeneity in ion signals during matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. The heterogeneity of ion signals is a severe problem in MALDI, which results in poor data reproducibility and makes MALDI unsuitable for quantitative analysis. By regulating sample plate temperature during sample preparation, thermal-induced hydrodynamic flows inside droplets of sample solution are able to reduce the heterogeneity problem. A room-temperature sample preparation chamber equipped with a temperature-regulated copper base block that holds MALDI sample plates facilitates precise control of the sample drying condition. After drying of sample droplets, the temperature of sample plates is returned to room temperature and removed from the chamber for subsequent mass spectrometric analysis. The areas of samples are examined with MALDI-imaging mass spectrometry to obtain the spatial distribution of all components in the sample. In comparison with the conventional dried-droplet method that prepares samples under ambient conditions without temperature control, the samples prepared with the method demonstrated herein show significantly better spatial distribution and signal intensity. According to observations using carbohydrate and peptide samples, decreasing substrate temperature while maintaining the surroundings at ambient temperature during the drying process can effectively reduce the heterogeneity of ion signals. This method is generally applicable to various combinations of samples and matrices.

The bright-field images as well as the MS images of maltotriose and bradykinin fragment (1-7) prepared with sample plate temperature of 5 and 25 &#176;C are shown in Figure 1. In the case of sodiated maltotriose, the ion signal mainly populates at the periphery of the sample area when it is prepared with a sample plate temperature of 25 &#176;C. By decreasing the sample plate temperature to 5 &#176;C, the signal populates homogeneously over the entire sample area. The onl...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Preparation of Homogeneous MALDI Samples for Quantitative Applications at JoVE.com

Preparation of Homogeneous MALDI Samples for Quantitative Applications

A protocol for reducing spatial heterogeneities of ion signals in MALDI mass spectrometry by regulating substrate temperature during sample drying processes is demonstrated.

This protocol demonstrates a simple sample preparation to reduce spatial heterogeneity in ion signals during matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization ...

preparation-of-homogeneous-maldi-samples-for-quantitative-applications

Universidad San Sebastian

Research

JoVE Journal

Biochemistry

8.7K Views.  Academia Sinica. A protocol for reducing spatial heterogeneities of ion signals in MALDI mass spectrometry by regulating substrate temperature during sample drying processes is demonstrated.

Video: Preparation of Homogeneous MALDI Samples for Quantitative Applications

Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Intact Proteins Larger than 100 kDa

Effectively determining masses of proteins is critical to many biological studies (e.g. for structural biology investigations). Accurate mass determination allows one to evaluate the correctness of protein primary sequences, the presence of mutations and/or post-translational modifications, the possible protein degradation, the sample homogeneity, and the degree of isotope incorporation in case of labelling (e.g. 13C labelling).
Electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry (MS) is widely used for mass determination of denatured proteins, but its efficiency is affected by the composition of the sample buffer. In particular, the presence of salts, detergents, and contaminants severely undermines the effectiveness of protein analysis by ESI-MS. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) MS is an attractive alternative, due to its salt tolerance and the simplicity of data acquisition and interpretation. Moreover, the mass determination of large heterogeneous proteins (bigger than 100 kDa) is easier by MALDI-MS due to the absence of overlapping high charge state distributions which are present in ESI spectra.
Here we present an accessible approach for analyzing proteins larger than 100 kDa by MALDI-time of flight (TOF). We illustrate the advantages of using a mixture of two matrices (i.e. 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and &#945;-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid) and the utility of the thin layer method as approach for sample deposition. We also discuss the critical role of the matrix and solvent purity, of the standards used for calibration, of the laser energy, and of the acquisition time. Overall, we provide information necessary to a novice for analyzing intact proteins larger than 100 kDa by MALDI-MS.

Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Intact Proteins Larger than 100 kDa

Accurate mass measurement represents an important step during the investigation of proteins. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) can be used for such determination and its key advantage is the tolerance to salts, detergents and contaminants. Here we illustrate an accessible approach for the analysis of proteins larger than 100 kDa by MALDI-MS.

Effectively determining masses of proteins is critical to many biological studies (e.g. for structural biology investigations). Accurate mass ...

Chemistry

MALDI Sample Preparation: the Ultra Thin Layer Method

This video demonstrates the preparation of an ultra-thin matrix/analyte layer for analyzing peptides and proteins by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-MS) 1,2. The ultra-thin layer method involves the production of a substrate layer of matrix crystals (alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid) on the sample plate, which serves as a seeding ground for subsequent crystallization of a matrix/analyte mixture. Advantages of the ultra-thin layer method over other sample deposition approaches (e.g. dried droplet) are that it provides (i) greater tolerance to impurities such as salts and detergents, (ii) better resolution, and (iii) higher spatial uniformity. This method is especially useful for the accurate mass determination of proteins. The protocol was initially developed and optimized for the analysis of membrane proteins and used to successfully analyze ion channels, metabolite transporters, and receptors, containing between 2 and 12 transmembrane domains 2. Since the original publication, it has also shown to be equally useful for the analysis of soluble proteins. Indeed, we have used it for a large number of proteins having a wide range of properties, including those with molecular masses as high as 380 kDa 3. It is currently our method of choice for the molecular mass analysis of all proteins. The described procedure consistently produces high-quality spectra, and it is sensitive, robust, and easy to implement.

This video demonstrates the preparation of an ultra-thin matrix/analyte layer for analyzing peptides and proteins by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-MS).

This video demonstrates the preparation of an ultra-thin matrix/analyte layer for analyzing peptides and proteins by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption ...

Biology

Low Molecular Weight Protein Enrichment on Mesoporous Silica Thin Films for Biomarker Discovery

The identification of circulating biomarkers holds great potential for non invasive approaches in early diagnosis and prognosis, as well as for the monitoring of therapeutic efficiency.1-3 The circulating low molecular weight proteome (LMWP) composed of small proteins shed from tissues and cells or peptide fragments derived from the proteolytic degradation of larger proteins, has been associated with the pathological condition in patients and likely reflects the state of disease.4,5 Despite these potential clinical applications, the use of Mass Spectrometry (MS) to profile the LMWP from biological fluids has proven to be very challenging due to the large dynamic range of protein and peptide concentrations in serum.6 Without sample pre-treatment, some of the more highly abundant proteins obscure the detection of low-abundance species in serum/plasma. Current proteomic-based approaches, such as two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel-electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and shotgun proteomics methods are labor-intensive, low throughput and offer limited suitability for clinical applications.7-9 Therefore, a more effective strategy is needed to isolate LMWP from blood and allow the high throughput screening of clinical samples. 
Here, we present a fast, efficient and reliable multi-fractionation system based on mesoporous silica chips to specifically target and enrich LMWP.10,11 Mesoporous silica (MPS) thin films with tunable features at the nanoscale were fabricated using the triblock copolymer template pathway. Using different polymer templates and polymer concentrations in the precursor solution, various pore size distributions, pore structures, connectivity and surface properties were determined and applied for selective recovery of low mass proteins. The selective parsing of the enriched peptides into different subclasses according to their physicochemical properties will enhance the efficiency of recovery and detection of low abundance species. In combination with mass spectrometry and statistic analysis, we demonstrated the correlation between the nanophase characteristics of the mesoporous silica thin films and the specificity and efficacy of low mass proteome harvesting. The results presented herein reveal the potential of the nanotechnology-based technology to provide a powerful alternative to conventional methods for LMWP harvesting from complex biological fluids. Because of the ability to tune the material properties, the capability for low-cost production, the simplicity and rapidity of sample collection, and the greatly reduced sample requirements for analysis, this novel nanotechnology will substantially impact the field of proteomic biomarker research and clinical proteomic assessment.

We developed a technology based on mesoporous silica thin film for the selective recovery of low molecular weight proteins and peptides from human serum. The physico-chemical properties of our mesoporous chips were finely tuned to provide substantial control in peptide enrichment and consequently profile the serum proteome for diagnostic purposes.

The identification of circulating biomarkers holds great potential for non invasive approaches in early diagnosis and prognosis, as well as for the ...

Bioengineering

Optimal Preparation of Formalin Fixed Samples for Peptide Based Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging Workflows

The use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization, mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI) has rapidly expanded, since this technique analyzes a host of biomolecules from drugs and lipids to N-glycans. Although various sample preparation techniques exist, detecting peptides from formaldehyde preserved tissues remains one of the most difficult challenges for this type of mass spectrometric analysis. For this reason, we have created and optimized a robust methodology that preserves the spatial information contained within the sample, while eliciting the greatest number of ionizable peptides. We have also aimed to achieve this in a cost effective and simple way, thereby eliminating potential bias or preparation error, which can occur when using automated instrumentation. The end result is a reproducible and inexpensive protocol.

This protocol describes a reproducible and reliable method for the sublimation-based preparation of formalin fixed tissue destined for imaging mass spectrometry.

The use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization, mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI) has rapidly expanded, since this technique analyzes a host ...

Peptide and Protein Quantification Using Automated Immuno-MALDI (iMALDI)

Mass spectrometry (MS) is one of the most commonly used technologies for quantifying proteins in complex samples, with excellent assay specificity as a result of the direct detection of the mass-to-charge ratio of each target molecule. However, MS-based proteomics, like most other analytical techniques, has a bias towards measuring high-abundance analytes, so it is challenging to achieve detection limits of low ng/mL or pg/mL in complex samples, and this is the concentration range for many disease-relevant proteins in biofluids such as human plasma. To assist in the detection of low-abundance analytes, immuno-enrichment has been integrated into the assay to concentrate and purify the analyte before MS measurement, significantly improving assay sensitivity. In this work, the immuno- Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (iMALDI) technology is presented for the quantification of proteins and peptides in biofluids, based on immuno-enrichment on beads, followed by MALDI-MS measurement without prior elution. The anti-peptide antibodies are functionalized on magnetic beads, and incubated with samples. After washing, the beads are directly transferred onto a MALDI target plate, and the signals are measured by a MALDI-Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) instrument after the matrix solution has been applied to the beads. The sample preparation procedure is simplified compared to other immuno-MS assays, and the MALDI measurement is fast. The whole sample preparation is automated with a liquid handling system, with improved assay reproducibility and higher throughput. In this article, the iMALDI assay is used for determining the peptide angiotensin I (Ang I) concentration in plasma, which is used clinically as readout of plasma renin activity for the screening of primary aldosteronism (PA).

Peptide and Protein Quantification Using Automated Immuno-MALDI iMALDI

A protocol for the protein quantification in complex biological fluids using automated immuno-MALDI (iMALDI) technology is presented.

Mass spectrometry (MS) is one of the most commonly used technologies for quantifying proteins in complex samples, with excellent assay specificity as a ...

Using the Open-Source MALDI TOF-MS IDBac Pipeline for Analysis of Microbial Protein and Specialized Metabolite Data

In order to visualize the relationship between bacterial phylogeny and specialized metabolite production of bacterial colonies growing on nutrient agar, we developed IDBac&#8212;a low-cost and high-throughput matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) bioinformatics pipeline. IDBac software is designed for non-experts, is freely available, and capable of analyzing a few to thousands of bacterial colonies. Here, we present procedures for the preparation of bacterial colonies for MALDI-TOF MS analysis, MS instrument operation, and data processing and visualization in IDBac. In particular, we instruct users how to cluster bacteria into dendrograms based on protein MS fingerprints and interactively create Metabolite Association Networks (MANs) from specialized metabolite data.

IDBac is an open-source mass spectrometry-based bioinformatics pipeline that integrates data from both intact protein and specialized metabolite spectra, collected on cell material scraped from bacterial colonies. The pipeline allows researchers to rapidly organize hundreds to thousands of bacterial colonies into putative taxonomic groups, and further differentiate them based on specialized metabolite production.

In order to visualize the relationship between bacterial phylogeny and specialized metabolite production of bacterial colonies growing on nutrient agar, ...

Characterization of Synthetic Polymers via Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometry

There are many techniques that can be employed in the characterization of synthetic homopolymers, but few provide as useful of information for end group analysis as matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). This tutorial demonstrates methods for optimization of the sample preparation, spectral acquisition, and data analysis of synthetic polymers using MALDI-TOF MS. Critical parameters during sample preparation include the selection of the matrix, identification of an appropriate cationization salt, and tuning the relative proportions of the matrix, cation, and analyte. The acquisition parameters, such as mode (linear or reflector), polarization (positive or negative), acceleration voltage, and delay time, are also important. Given some knowledge of the chemistry involved to synthesize the polymer and optimizing both the data acquisition parameters and the sample preparation conditions, spectra should be obtained with sufficient resolution and mass accuracy to enable the unambiguous determination of the end groups of most homopolymers (masses below 10,000) in addition to the repeat unit mass and the overall molecular weight distribution. Though demonstrated on a limited set of polymers, these general techniques are applicable to a much wider range of synthetic polymers for determining mass distributions, though end group determination is only possible for homopolymers with narrow dispersity.

Characterization of Synthetic Polymers via Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

A protocol for the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) characterization of synthetic polymers is described including the optimization of sample preparation, spectral acquisition, and data analysis.

There are many techniques that can be employed in the characterization of synthetic homopolymers, but few provide as useful of information for end group ...

An Efficient Sample Preparation Method to Enhance Carbohydrate Ion Signals in Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Sample preparation is a critical process in mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of carbohydrates. Although matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) MS is the method of choice in carbohydrate analysis, poor ion signal and data reproducibility of carbohydrate samples continue to be severe problems. For quantitative analysis of carbohydrates, an effective analytical protocol providing superior data quality is necessary. This video demonstrates sample preparation protocols to improve signal intensity and minimize data variation of carbohydrates in MALDI-MS. After drying and crystallization of sample droplets, the crystal morphology is reformed by methanol before mass spectrometric analysis. The enhancement in carbohydrate signal is examined with MALDI imaging mass spectrometry (IMS). Experimental results show that crystal reformation adjusts crystalline structures and redistributes carbohydrate analytes. In comparison with the dried droplet preparation method in conventional MALDI-MS, reforming carbohydrate crystal morphologies with methanol shows significantly better signal intensity, ion image distribution, and data stability. Since the protocols demonstrated herein do not involve changes in sample composition, they are generally applicable to various carbohydrates and matrixes.

A protocol for enhancing carbohydrate ion signals in MALDI mass spectrometry by reforming crystalline structures during sample preparation processes is demonstrated.

Sample preparation is a critical process in mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of carbohydrates. Although matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) ...

Dithranol as a Matrix for Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Imaging on a Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) determines the spatial localization and distribution patterns of compounds on the surface of a tissue section, mainly using MALDI (matrix&#160;assisted laser desorption/ionization)-based analytical techniques. New matrices for small-molecule MSI, which can improve the analysis of low-molecular weight (MW) compounds, are needed. These matrices should provide increased analyte signals while decreasing MALDI background signals. In addition, the use of ultrahigh-resolution instruments, such as Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometers, has&#160;the ability to resolve analyte signals from matrix signals, and this can partially overcome many problems associated with the background originating from the MALDI matrix. The reduction in the intensities of the metastable matrix clusters by FTICR MS can also help to overcome some of the interferences associated with matrix peaks on other instruments. High-resolution instruments such as the FTICR mass spectrometers are advantageous as they can produce distribution patterns of many compounds simultaneously while still providing confidence in chemical identifications. Dithranol (DT; 1,8-dihydroxy-9,10-dihydroanthracen-9-one) has previously been reported as a MALDI matrix for tissue imaging. In this work, a protocol for the use of DT for MALDI imaging of endogenous lipids from the surfaces of mammalian tissue sections, by positive-ion MALDI-MS, on an ultrahigh-resolution hybrid quadrupole FTICR instrument has been provided.

Dithranol (DT; 1,8-dihydroxy-9,10-dihydroanthracen-9-one) has previously been reported as a MALDI matrix for tissue imaging of small molecules; protocols for the use of DT for the MALDI imaging of endogenous lipids on the surface of tissue sections&#160;by positive-ion MALDI-MS on an ultrahigh-resolution quadrupole-FTICR instrument are provided here.

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) determines the spatial localization and distribution patterns of compounds on the surface of a tissue section, mainly ...

Sample Preparation for Metabolic Profiling using MALDI Mass Spectrometry Imaging

Metabolomics, the study to identify and quantify small molecules and metabolites present in an experimental sample, has emerged as an important tool to investigate the biological activities during development and diseases. Metabolomics approaches&#160;are widely employed in the study of cancer, nutrition/diet, diabetes, and other physiological and pathological conditions involving metabolic processes. An advantageous tool that aids in metabolomic profiling advocated in this paper is matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI). Its ability to detect metabolites in situ without labeling, structural modifications, or other specialized reagents, such as those used in immunostaining, makes MALDI MSI a unique tool in advancing methodologies relevant in the field of metabolomics. An appropriate sample preparation process is critical to yield optimal results and will be the focus of this paper.

The goal of this protocol is to provide detailed guidance on the sample preparation when planning for experiments using MALDI MSI to maximize metabolic and molecular detection in biological samples.

Metabolomics, the study to identify and quantify small molecules and metabolites present in an experimental sample, has emerged as an important tool to ...