A method for measuring the chirality of molecules in a sample of chiral molecules, the sample including at least one chemical species, the method including the steps of: introducing the sample of chiral molecules into an ionisation area; ionising the molecules by electromagnetic radiation in the ionisation area; and detecting a distribution of electrons produced by ionisation and emitted at the front and back of the ionisation area relative to the axis, z, of propagation of the electromagnetic radiation; wherein the electromagnetic radiation is elliptically polarised, the ellipticity varying continuously and periodically as a function of time, the method further including a step of: determining the chirality of the molecules from the electron distribution detected continuously as a function of time. A system is also provided for measuring the chirality of molecules using such a method.

In order to display an image which enables easy observation of the state of adhesion of a sample regardless of the kind of matrix, its distribution and other factors in a MALDI mass spectrometer configured to irradiate a sample on a sample plate (15) with laser light to ionize a component in the sample and perform a mass spectrometric analysis, the MALDI mass spectrometer includes: a plurality of light source units (30a, 30b), each configured to emit a beam of light with a different wavelength distribution; an illumination light switching section (42, 31) configured to selectively cast one of the beams of light emitted from the light source units, onto the sample plate as illumination light; and an imaging section (32) configured to acquire an optical image of the sample plate formed by the illumination light, the imaging section being common to the light source units.

In an imaging mass spectrometer for analyzing the same kind of samples using results of imaging mass spectrometric analysis performed on those samples, a measurement section (1) acquires mass spectrometric data by performing an analysis on each of the micro areas on a sample. A region-of-interest setter (32) sets an ROI on each sample, and divides each ROI into the same number of subregions each including the micro areas so that the subregions correspond to each other on the samples respectively covering roughly identical sites on the samples. An individual-index-value calculator (33) calculates an individual index value for each subregion, using mass spectrometric data acquired at the micro areas in the subregion, the individual index value reflecting a similarity or difference among the samples in terms of a degree of expression of each m/z value. A general-index-value calculator (34) calculates a general index value for each m/z value among the ROIs of the samples, using the individual index values calculated for the ink values for each subregion included in each ROI.

Imaging by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) requires that a sample be encased in an amorphous solid, such as amorphous ice. In current cryo-EM preparation systems, once the sample has been deposited on an EM grid and coated in the amorphous solid, the EM grid must be removed from vacuum and then transferred into the vacuum of the cryo-EM system. As a result, samples deposited on the grid are exposed to damage and contamination. The present invention provides improved EM grid handling systems and devices compatible with advanced cryo-EM sample preparation techniques and which reduce or eliminate exposure of the sample on the grid to atmosphere and elevated temperatures. These methods and devices will also significantly reduce handling time and complexities associated with cryo-EM sample preparation.

Methods for laser induced ablation spectroscopy (LIBS) are disclosed. Light from laser ablation can be gathered into a lightguide fiber bundle that is subdivided into branches. One branch can convey a first portion of the light to a broadband spectrometer operable to analyze a relatively wide spectral segment, and a different branch can convey a second portion of the light to a high dispersion spectrometer operable to measure minor concentrations and/or trace elements. Emissions can be analyzed using a plurality of spectrometers having distinct and/or complementary capabilities, and with a synergistic method using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Methods for enhancing a fluorescence intensity of a sample by adding an aromatic compound thereto. Workflows for a combined fluorescence-MALDI microscopy/imaging instrument also are disclosed comprising combining MALDI imaging and fluorescence imaging of the same sample in one sample preparation step. The presently disclosed workflow reduces the sampling time to one workday and minimizes sample degradation.

The invention generally relates to methods for analyzing a tissue sample. In certain aspects, the invention provides methods that involve obtaining a tissue sample including an unsaturated compound, conducting a radical reaction on the tissue sample that targets a carbon-carbon double bond within the unsaturated compound to thereby produce a plurality of compound isomers, subjecting the plurality of compound isomers to mass spectrometry analysis to identify a location of the carbon-carbon double bond within the unsaturated compound, and quantifying the plurality of compound isomers in order to distinguish normal tissue from diseased tissue.

A method of analysis using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: (a) using a first device to generate smoke, aerosol or vapour from a target in vitro or ex vivo cell population; (b) mass analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said smoke, aerosol or vapour, or ions derived therefrom, in order to obtain spectrometric data; and (c) analysing said spectrometric data in order to identify and/or characterise said target cell population or one or more cells and/or compounds present in said target cell population.

A method and apparatus for monitoring and/or controlling the extent of denaturation and/or bond cleavages of proteins on any surface (e.g., biological tissues, biofilms, etc.). In one embodiment, a low power laser (e.g., a 5 mW, 362 nm diode laser) is directed through a biological sample to a photodetector. The sample is heated by a set of radiant heaters to between about 220° C. and about 250° C. in a time period of between 10 seconds to 60 seconds. The baseline transmissivity of the sample is monitored continuously throughout treatment of the biological sample via continuous monitoring of the signal voltage detected at the photodetector. Upon detection of increase in relative transmissivity in the biological sample, the heating treatment is concluded and the biological sample is removed for in situ protein identification as part of an imaging MALDI-MS measurement.

A method of analysis using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The method comprises: using a first device to generate smoke, aerosol or vapour from a target comprising or consisting of a microbial population; mass analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said smoke, aerosol or vapour, or ions derived therefrom, in order to obtain spectrometric data; and analysing said spectrometric data in order to analyse said microbial population.