MALDI Molecular Imager – The Complete MALDI Imaging Solution
Webinar April 17, 2007
Dr. Deininger and Dr. Suckau, Bruker Daltonik GmbH, Bremen, Germany
The MALDI Molecular Imager™ combines FLEX-series MALDI-TOF MS with smartbeam laser technology with histological tissue imaging. The system provides high-resolution images of protein biomarkers and drug candidates in biological, clinical and pharmaceutical research.
The complete imaging solution comprises the fully-automated ImagePrep station, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, data analysis and statistical evaluation software.

The ImagePrep is a Matrix Deposition Device for MALDI Imaging in Biomarker Discovery, Drug Imaging and Pathology Research.
The new ImagePrep device provides highly reproducible sample preparations for MALDI Imaging in a fully automated, push-button process. At the same time, it enables excellent spectra quality at high image resolution of 50 micron.
In the ImagePrep station, a matrix aerosol is created by vibrational vaporization under controlled conditions that is gently deposited onto tissue sections. An average droplet size of ~20 µm is generated, all droplet diameters are < 50 µm.
An optical sensor monitors the light scattered from matrix crystals to control all relevant preparation parameters in real-time: deposition periods and intervals, matrix layer thickness, wetness, drying rate, etc..
During the wetting period the scattered light intensity fades while drying increases the intensity due to crystal formation. At complete dryness the signal is a direct measure of the thickness of the matrix layer.


