Precise Lipid Localization from Tissue Sections using a Chemical Inkjet Printer for MALDI Matrix Deposition

This application note describes how to use a chemical inkjet printer for MALDI matrix deposition studies to allow precise lipid localisation from tissue sections, keeping biomolecules specifically localised by controlling the matrix deposition. The importance of lipids in cell life is demonstrated by the number of diseases related to their metabolic alteration such as in Alzheimer’s, diabetes, cancer and many other disease states. The most well known roles for lipids in cell function are chemical energy storage and structural components of cell membranes. However, the whole pallet of their function is not yet totally understood partly due to their complexity and the need for new technology and tools for their study.