Cryo-ultramicrotomy and Mass Spectrometry Imaging Analysis of Nudibranch Microstructures

In this paper, we investigate the presence of latrunculin A in the outer rim of a nudibranch Chromodoris kuiteri and show that by combining ultrathin cryosection methods with MALDI MSI we can achieve improved lateral (x and y) resolution and very high resolution in the z dimension by virtue of the ultrathin 200 nm thin cryosections. We also demonstrate that a post ionization laser increases sensitivity. Recent advances in MALDI source design have improved the lateral resolution (x and y) and sensitivity during MSI. Taken together, very high z resolution, from ultrathin sections, and improved lateral (x and y) resolution will allow for subcellular molecular imaging with the potential for subcellular 3D volume reconstruction.

Automated summary

In this paper, we investigate the presence of a toxin in a nudibranch and demonstrate improved resolution and sensitivity for subcellular molecular imaging. The findings suggest the potential for subcellular 3D volume reconstruction.