Imaging of membrane lipids in single cells by imprint-imaging time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry

A new method for identification and localization of organic molecules in biological samples is described. The method involves making an imprint of a biological sample on a silver (Ag) surface and subsequent analysis of the imprint by imaging time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). Using this method, detection of unfragmented, Ag cationized molecules at a spatial resolution of