AUTHOR=Shi Xiujuan , Liu Mingru , Qi Yue , Ma Hongzhe , Wang Zhaoying , Chen Yanhua , Abliz Zeper 

TITLE=A laboratory-friendly protocol for freeze-drying sample preparation in ToF-SIMS single-cell imaging

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Chemistry

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2025.1523712

DOI=10.3389/fchem.2025.1523712

ISSN=2296-2646

ABSTRACT=ToF-SIMS is a high spatial resolution imaging technique for cellular or subcellular analysis of biological samples. Accurate molecular data in single-cell studies depend on proper cell morphology and chemical integrity, highlighting the importance of sample preparation. In this work, we standardized a more efficient freeze-drying method using standard lab materials and improved the sample preparation process. Our comprehensive freeze-drying protocol for cellular samples, encompassing washing, fixation, and drying steps, facilitates the acquisition of enhanced cellular information and ensures high reproducibility. These improvements are poised to significantly advance single-cell mass spectrometry imaging research.