Tissue analysis by mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry

摘要

Described is a method of analysis of bacteria in tissue samples using mass spectrometry. The method comprises using a first device to generate aerosol or vapour from one or more regions of a first target of biological material. The device comprises a desorption electrospray ionisation (“DESI”) ion source or a desorption electro-flow focusing (“DEFFI”) ion source. The biological material is a specimen from an animal subject. The aerosol or vapour is analysed by mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry. The spectrometric data obtained is used to identify bacteria or microbes in the sample. Also described are apparatus for carrying out the method.