Cell and tissue analysis using infrared desorption ionization on silicon

Application of Infrared desorption ionization on silicon (IR DIOS) for the analysis of cells and tissues. A linear mass spectrometer with delayed extraction was used with a 0.5 mm thick polished silicon wafer as the sample target. The IR-DOS of E. Coli at 2.94 μm exhibited similar peaks in the 300 to 1500 m/z range as compared to UV MALDI. It was also found that the mass spectra obtained from E. Coli were different from those observed from B. Cerus