Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) is a novel spatial technique used to conduct spatial multi-omics analyses on tissue, providing abundance and spatial distribution data regarding various macromolecules, including proteins, lipids and metabolites. Its use in proteomics is still in its infancy, although if seen through could prove a valuable high-throughput tool for ongoing heterogenous disease research and potentially clinical diagnosis, especially when coupled with shotgun LC-MS/MS and other well-established proteomics techniques. In its current state, MALDI-MSI workflows are largely optimised in-house, and commercially available hardware and software designed specifically to aid in the reproducibility of these workflows are very expensive, meaning less accessibility of this technique to institutions.
Here I present my untargeted spatial proteomics analyses workflow, using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry imaging, using an accessible and reproducible matrix sublimation protocol and open-source bioinformatics solutions. I also present my initial results, outcomes and insights, expanding upon my initial presentation at Aus-Omics earlier this year.