The future in disease models for mass spectrometry imaging, ethical issues, and the way forward

Abstract

Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI) has evolved into a valuable tool for research into and the diagnosis of disease pathology. The ability to perform multiplex analysis of a wide range of molecules (e.g., proteins, lipids, and metabolites) simultaneously per tissue section while retaining the histological structure of the sample allows molecular information and tissue morphology to be correlated, thus increasing our understanding of a particular disease. Further development of MSI is required to improve suitability to the alternative models available, so that the combined approach can successfully provide the information required in disease characterization and prevention. MSI has been shown to be capable of providing spatiomolecular information in tumor spheroids, living skin equivalents, and ex vivo human tissues. Due to a considerable interest and scientific effort there are many more designed alternative disease models available which would benefit from the information MSI could provide.