May 14, 2025

Public workspaceMatrix Sublimation via In-House Developed Sublimation Apparatus

 Forked from Matrix Sublimation via In-House Developed Sublimation Apparatus
DOI
dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.j8nlkrpq1v5r/v1
  • 1Vanderbilt University;
  • 2University of Alabama at Birmingham
  • VU Biomolecular Multimodal Imaging Center / Spraggins Research Group
  • Human BioMolecular Atlas Program (HuBMAP) Method Development Community
Madeline E. Colley
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DOI: dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.j8nlkrpq1v5r/v1
Protocol Citation: David Anderson, Martin Dufrense, Jeffrey D. Messinger, Jamie Allen, Katerina V Djambazova, Angela R.S. Kruse, Christine A. Curcio, Kevin L. Schey, Richard M. Caprioli, Olof Isberg, Melissa Farrow, Jeff Spraggins 2025. Matrix Sublimation via In-House Developed Sublimation Apparatus. protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.j8nlkrpq1v5r/v1
License: This is an open access protocol distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License,  which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Protocol status: Working
We use this protocol and it's working
Created: May 13, 2025
Last Modified: May 14, 2025
Protocol Integer ID: 218225
Keywords: MALDI IMS, matrix, Sublimation
Abstract
Scope:
This protocol describes the use of an in-house developed sublimation device to deposit small molecule matrices onto tissue sections for high resolution MALDI imaging mass spectrometry (IMS). Concentrations will vary based on matrix type.
Materials
Slides with sample affixed
Matrix of choice
Solvents: acetone, isopropyl alcohol, ethanol
Dry ice
Sample Section Preparation
Sample Section Preparation
Chill three solutions of Concentration150 millimolar (mM) ammonium formate TemperatureOn ice for 30 minutes.
Wash sectioned tissue slides with three separate solutions of Concentration150 millimolar (mM) ammonium formate for Duration00:00:45 each.
45s
Dry tissue using a stream of nitrogen gas.
Cold Trap Preparation
Cold Trap Preparation
Ensure the cold sleeve is at least 2/3 full of ethanol or isopropyl alcohol when trap is fully seated.
Carefully add dry ice chips to the ethanol bath in the sleeve and allow chips to sublimate off.
Repeat until minimal sublimation of dry ice is observed (ethanol has reached equilibrium temperature).


Sublimation Apparatus Set up
Sublimation Apparatus Set up
Ensure that the vacuum line is securely installed between the cold trap and the apparatus lid.
Ensure that the electrical connections between the heater controller and the passthrough in the apparatus base are secure and remain dry.
Place sample slides in the sample holder indentations.
Use copper tape or magnetic holder as needed to secure samples as close to the center of the holder as possible.
Place sample holder in the lid using the embedded magnets.


Matrix Preparation
Matrix Preparation
5m
5m
Dissolve 6mg of matrix in Amount2 mL of acetone for a total matrix concentration of Concentration3 mg/mL .
Note
Concentration will vary depending on matrix used.

Place matrix pan on a level surface and evenly distribute the matrix solution by dispensing the solution in an equilateral triangle around the center of the matrix pan.
Note
Dispense three solutions of 0.667 mL each.



Wait for solvent to dry (Duration00:03:00 ).
3m
Sublimation Procedure
Sublimation Procedure
30m
30m
Place matrix pan on the heat plate in the apparatus base.
Check that mating surfaces of the lid, base, and the O-ring are clean, and carefully seat the O-ring in the groove in the base.
Place apparatus lid on the base, ensure that base is fully seated in the indentions on the induction heater top cover. Start pulling vacuum.
Once it is clear that vacuum is established, ensure that bath drain stopcock is closed. Add a small amount of acetone (Amount20 mL ) into the well than fill with dry ice and allow to cool for Duration00:03:00 .
3m
Wait for the pressure to fall to < 50 mTorr measured at the pump (usually ~25 mTorr).
Note the pressure at the pump and at the apparatus.
Turn on internal thermocouple.
Turn on induction heater, set heater to 390F temperature setting, and start a Start Duration00:10:00 timer.
Note
Temperature will fluctuate. Make sure ice bath is stocked with dry ice and that there is sufficient melt to cover the bath surface.

10m
Turn off the heater and remove dry ice chips from the ice bath. Replace ice bath with warm water and open to drain excess water. Repeat warm water exchanges until the apparatus is at room temperature.
Note
A heat gun can be used to help warm up the valve prior to turning it.
The entire process may take up to 15 minutes to complete.

Turn off the vacuum pump and break vacuum with the leak valve on the vacuum manifold and remove matrix-coated samples.
Clean Up
Clean Up
5m
5m
Clean matrix pan and sample holder with acetone.
Annealing
Annealing
1m
1m
Place samples on a heating plate (130oC) for 30 seconds.