Multimodal Imaging System

Importance of the Topic

Multimodal imaging integrates molecular and elemental information to provide comprehensive tissue analysis. By combining high–resolution optical microscopy, MALDI mass spectrometry imaging, and laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), researchers can visualize both distribution and quantitation of biomolecules and elements within biological samples. This holistic approach advances understanding in fields such as pathology, pharmacokinetics, and biomaterials research.

Objectives and Study Overview

The whitepaper presents the Shimadzu multimodal imaging system, its capabilities, and data analysis workflow. Key goals are to demonstrate:

• The acceleration of high-resolution mass spectrometry imaging with the iMScope QT combined with LCMS-9030.
• Seamless integration of molecular and elemental imaging using a unified software platform (IMAGEREVEAL MS).
• Applications in biomedical models, including contrast agent distribution and photosensitizer localization.

Methodology

The iMScope QT performs atmospheric-pressure MALDI imaging alongside an optical microscope, achieving improved spatial resolution and sensitivity in under 20% of the time required by earlier methods. For elemental analysis, a laser ablation system couples to ICPMS-2030 to conduct LA-ICP-MS, mapping element distributions quantitatively. The software IMAGEREVEAL MS receives data in the imdx format, supporting conversion from common imaging formats (imzML, Analyze7.5) and raw iMScope files, enabling joint visualization and multivariate statistical analysis.

Used Instrumentation

• iMScope QT Imaging Mass Microscope
• LCMS-9030 High-Performance Liquid Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer
• ICPMS-2030 Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer with Laser Ablation
• IMAGEREVEAL MS Ver.1.1 Data Analysis Software

Main Results and Discussion

Two case studies illustrate system performance:

• Gadolinium Contrast Agent in Mouse Cardiac Tissue: LA-ICP-MS mapped Gd distribution in myocardial infarction regions, while iMScope QT molecular imaging detected structures of Gadofluorine P. Overlay confirmed co-localization in collagen-rich extracellular matrix.
• Photosensitizer in Tumor Spheroids: LA-ICP-MS quantified Pd-labeled mTHPP within HT-29 spheroids; complementary MALDI imaging visualized both native and Pd-bound photosensitizer with matching spatial patterns.

These examples highlight the synergy of molecular specificity and elemental quantitation, improving analytical throughput and data interpretability.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The Shimadzu multimodal imaging platform offers:

• Accelerated data acquisition and high spatial resolution.
• Switchable workflows for qualitative LC/MS and positional imaging.
• Unified data analysis with multivariate tools, reducing manual processing.

Applications span biomedical research, drug delivery studies, disease pathology, and material science.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Advances may include higher-speed laser scanning, expanded multimodal fusion with electron microscopy, and machine learning–driven image segmentation. Integration with single-cell analysis and real-time in vivo imaging promises new insights in precision medicine and pharmacodynamics.

Conclusion

The Shimadzu multimodal imaging system streamlines the pairing of molecular and elemental maps, delivering robust, high-resolution insights across diverse research areas. Its unified hardware and software approach enhances throughput and data quality, positioning it as a critical tool for next-generation analytical workflows.