What does this strategy enable?
Combine mass spectrometry imaging with taxon-specific fluorescence labeling to associate spatial chemistry with microbial identity.
Transferable workflow
Workflow
- 1
Preserve spatial correspondence
Prepare material compatible with both fluorescence labeling and MSI.
- 2
Measure chemistry and microbial identity
Acquire ion images and taxon-specific FISH fluorescence using the sequence specified by the selected published method.
- 3
Register and compare images
Align the two measurements to assess which chemical distributions coincide with labeled microbes.
Evidence of reuse
Published implementations and adaptations
These papers applied, adapted, extended, benchmarked or formalized the Strategy after its originating publication. They are examples of precedent, not a ranking of software choices.
Visualization of metabolites and microbes at high spatial resolution using MALDI mass spectrometry imaging and in situ fluorescence labeling
Detailed metaFISH preparation, acquisition and image-integration instructions.
Spatial metabolomics of in situ host–microbe interactions at the micrometre scale
metaFISH integrates fluorescence and metabolite images on the same tissue section at micrometre scale.
Strategy profile
Related objectives
Host–microbe interaction
Components
Sample preparation, Data acquisition, Metadata analysis
Scope and considerations
Designed for
- Spatial association of metabolites with microbes in heterogeneous samples.
Important requirements
- MS imaging and taxon-specific FISH microscopy from corresponding material.
- Validated preparation, imaging order and spatial registration.
Considerations
- Colocalization alone does not establish biosynthesis or metabolite exchange.
- Resolution depends on both modalities; the original method should not be described as universally single-cell.
Reusable resources
Publication
Kaltenpoth M, Strupat K, Svatos A. The ISME Journal 10, 527-531 (2016); first published online 14 July 2015.