A one‐step matrix application method for MALDI mass spectrometry imaging of bacterial colony biofilms |
| |
| Authors: | Bin Li Troy J. Comi Tong Si Sage J. B. Dunham Jonathan V. Sweedler |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Chemistry and Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA;2. Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA |
| |
| Abstract: | Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging of biofilms cultured on agar plates is challenging because of problems related to matrix deposition onto agar. We describe a one‐step, spray‐based application of a 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid solution for direct matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging of hydrated Bacillus subtilis biofilms on agar. Using both an optimized airbrush and a home‐built automatic sprayer, region‐specific distributions of signaling metabolites and cannibalistic factors were visualized from B. subtilis cells cultivated on biofilm‐promoting medium. The approach provides a homogeneous, relatively dry coating on hydrated samples, improving spot to spot signal repeatability compared with sieved matrix application, and is easily adapted for imaging a range of agar‐based biofilms. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
| |
| Keywords: | airbrush automatic sprayer biofilms MALDI MSI matrix application |
|
|
