Mass Spectrometry Imaging

Detect, localize & quantify molecules

The Expert and Pioneer in Spatial Bioanalysis

ImaBiotech is a pioneer in spatial bioanalysis, spatial biology with innovative technologies and proprietary software and methods. The company developed the Imaging Mass Spectrometry technology for more than a decade to detect elements, biomolecules without labeling (Quantitative Mass Spectrometry Imaging, MALDI imaging, LA-ICP imaging or SIMS imaging) or with metal tags (Hyperion Imaging Mass Cytometry from Fluidigm). The benefits of all these techniques remains in a large multiplex capabilities, single cell resolution and quantification. Since 15 years, ImaBiotech’s team developed robust and quantitative methods through many patents and protocols making ImaBiotech the worldwide leader in this field. QMSI changes the rules of the game of the pharmaceutical industry in all the therapeutic areas. The QMSI is translational and help to investigate where the drug and biomarkers are localized and support PK/PD relationship in preclinical and clinical stages.

ImaBiotech performed 550+ drug development studies using Mass Spectrometry Imaging, Multiplex Immuno-staining in various drug discovery stages in pharmacokinetics, in translational research and clinical stages.

What is it ?

The Quantitative Mass Spectrometry Imaging (QMSI) is a technique developed for:

- The detection target molecules (drugs, metabolites, lipids, endogenous metabolites, peptides and proteins) or elements (Zinc, Copper, Gold, Calcium, Iron, Gadolinium, etc.)
- Single cell imaging
- The quantification with accuracy and precision

For What Benefits?

High Multiplexing

Simultaneous localization and quantification of thousands of compounds

Quantitative

Accurate and precise methods have been proprietary of ImaBiotech under patents and know-how

Fast

From minutes to a few hours according to image size and resolution

Standardized & reproducible

Methods and technologies have been developed by ImaBiotech’s team to guarantee quality of the studies

Our Different Techniques

MALDI Imaging

MALDI Imaging uses a Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization technique to detect intact molecules amino acids, metabolites, drugs, lipids and proteins from a tissue section. Also called Molecular histology technique, Mass spectrometry imaging by MALDI imaging is the most sensitive and robust technique that can detect simultaneously more than thousand molecules. ImaBiotech has developed process and software (Quantinetix and Multimaging) to make it more robust and quantitative. Variability has been measured to certify data interpretation and absolute quantification to guarantee the accuracy and precision to drug efficacy. Over the past years, ImaBiotech delivered more than 450 drug distribution and quantification studies using MALDI imaging and more than 100 publications in this field making ImaBiotech the #1 CRO.

LA-ICP-MS Imaging

LA-ICP-MS imaging is another Mass Spectrometry Imaging technique. Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma instrument allows to detect elements from a tissue section. Combined to MALDI imaging, LA-ICP MS imaging is a great tool to study the distribution and quantification of elements that are responsible for cell activities, growth, homeostasis such as Iron, Copper, Calcium, Zinc, etc…This technique has been developed into the ImaBiotech’s platform and Multimaging software that allows the overlay of staining images made by LA-ICP MS imaging and MALDI imaging. ImaBiotech offers the same robustness and accuracy for ICP MS than for MALDI imaging using controls to guarantee data interpretations.

Imaging Mass Cytometry – Hyperion, Fluidigm Technology

Hyperion™ Imaging System (Imaging Mass Cytometry technique) is a high multiplex Immuno staining technique (uses antibodies coupled to stable metal isotopes). The system, developed by Fluidigm Corp allows the analysis of tissue sections with a resolution of 1 μm. The core advantage of Imaging Mass Cytometry compared to fluorescent microscopy isthe possibility to image more than 40+ markers simultaneously from a single slide. And there is almost no noise in the data as each metal isotopes has its on distinct detection peak and does not overlap with other metal isotopes. There is almost zero background noise and thus the contrast between markers of interest and the background is ideal for image analysis.