MALDI matrix is precisely delivered to specific surface locations via a non-contact spotting method, minimizing the possibility of contamination. Matrix can be automatically and reproducibly deposited directly onto a tissue surface in pre-selected regions.
Large matrix arrays can be generated to cover the entire surfaces of tissue sections (imaging) or smaller arrays can be used to study the differences between a number of different areas within the tissue (profiling).
The system incorporates a camera and an onboard scanner. The camera is employed to optimize and monitor droplet formation, whilst the visible light scanner is used to identify target areas on the tissue surface for reagent delivery, aid visualization of the deposited arrays and create a target map for printing.
The CHIP-1000 also has an image import functionality. This enables tissue images to be imported from other scanning devices and overlaid on the tissue image on the MALDI plate. The CHIP-1000 facilitates the simple transfer of spotted sample locations to the Axima™ MALDI mass spectrometer for mass spectral data acquisition.