Mass Spectrometry Upgrade on the University Shared Platform: A Single Instrument with Dual Capabilities – Routine Mass Spectrometry and Mass Spectrometry Imaging Configurations

Analytical and Testing Centres at universities and faculty-level shared platforms often face a dilemma: a single mass spectrometer must serve course teaching, routine testing and cutting-edge research; with instrument time already in short supply, procuring imaging equipment separately is neither practical nor cost-effective. Upgrading existing mass spectrometers to a dual-purpose ‘routine mass spectrometry + mass spectrometry imaging’ configuration is increasingly becoming a pragmatic choice for shared platforms. This article explains how to set up such a configuration and what to bear in mind.

The Equipment Dilemma Facing Shared Platforms

The core metrics for shared platforms are equipment utilisation and service coverage. A mass spectrometer used solely for routine qualitative analysis cannot meet the growing imaging needs of staff and students; however, purchasing a separate, dedicated imaging instrument not only consumes a substantial amount of funding but also takes up already limited floor space. More realistically, many platforms already possess Agilent, AB SCIEX and Thermo instruments in good working order, which simply lack imaging capabilities.

The ‘one instrument, two functions’ configuration logic

By retrofitting existing mass spectrometers with an MSI DPI (20–200 μm) or MSI LDPI (2–3 μm) imaging source, the instrument retains its original conventional mass spectrometry functions whilst gaining new MSI capabilities. The same instrument is used for routine quantitative screening and teaching demonstrations, and can be switched to imaging mode when required for section analysis or sample distribution analysis. This configuration adds ‘incremental functionality’ to ‘existing assets’, expanding the service portfolio without increasing the number of instruments.

Seamless mode switching is essential for effective sharing

As the shared platform is used on a rotational basis by multiple users, the ease of switching modes directly determines its availability. The DESI/PI dual-mode capability of the MSI DPI allows switching between conventional DESI and dual-mode whilst retaining reproducible parameter templates. Operators can call up templates based on sample type, eliminating the need to adjust parameters from scratch each time. The platform can establish two standard workflows for ‘conventional mode’ and ‘imaging mode’; specifying the intended use at the time of booking reduces the cost of mode switching.

Booking and Sample Management

The dual-purpose nature of the instrument raises a management issue: how to allocate instrument time between routine testing and imaging. It is recommended that the platform distinguish between these two types of tasks within the booking system, clearly specifying the scan duration required for imaging tasks (which is typically longer than single-point acquisition) to avoid excessive occupation of routine instrument time. Regarding samples, the matrix-free imaging source imposes minimal requirements for sample preparation, making it easier for students to submit samples; however, sectioned samples still require standardised preparation, and the platform should provide standard submission guidelines.

Training and Open Access

The value of a shared platform lies in its ‘open access’. Operating imaging sources involves additional scan parameters and spatial registration compared to conventional mass spectrometry; the platform should therefore provide basic training to enable postgraduate students to independently carry out standard procedures. Using validation samples (such as plant section quality control slides) as introductory exercises can lower the learning curve. Only with adequate training will the equipment avoid becoming a mere ornament that ‘only specialised personnel know how to use’.

Case Study: A Closed-Loop Approach from Service to Output

When a platform is capable of dual-purpose use, the research workflow for staff and students is streamlined: for a single sample, conventional screening is first carried out to confirm composition, followed by imaging to examine distribution, with data generated seamlessly on the same instrument. In terms of teaching, students can intuitively see ‘what molecules look like in space’, which provides a more tangible experience than simply reading mass spectra. This closed-loop approach represents the most tangible benefit of upgrading a shared platform.

Summary

When upgrading mass spectrometry imaging capabilities on university shared platforms, there is no need to procure entirely new instruments. By retrofitting existing Agilent, AB SCIEX and Thermo host instruments with DPI/LDPI modules to create a dual-purpose configuration, institutions can maintain routine services whilst expanding their imaging capabilities. The key lies in standardising mode switching, booking management and training procedures, ensuring the equipment is genuinely accessible to staff and students.