Methods for analyzing a tissue sample

Abstract

The invention generally relates to methods for analyzing a tissue sample. In certain aspects, the invention provides methods that involve obtaining a tissue sample including an unsaturated compound, conducting a radical reaction on the tissue sample that targets a carbon-carbon double bond within the unsaturated compound to thereby produce a plurality of compound isomers, subjecting the plurality of compound isomers to mass spectrometry analysis to identify a location of the carbon-carbon double bond within the unsaturated compound, and quantifying the plurality of compound isomers in order to distinguish normal tissue from diseased tissue.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for imaging a tissue sample, the method comprising:
 introducing reagents for a radical reaction to a tissue comprising an unsaturated compound, wherein the radical reaction targets a carbon-carbon double bond within the unsaturated compound;   conducting the radical reaction to produce reaction products;   scanning the tissue such that the reaction products are desorbed and ionized in a time resolved manner;   analyzing the desorbed and ionized reaction products in a mass spectrometer; and   producing an image of the tissue based on results of the analyzing step.   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein scanning comprising conducting a desorption electrospray ionization technique using a desorption electrospray ionization probe at a plurality of different locations on the tissue. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the reagents for the radical reaction are introduced to the tissue via the desorption electrospray ionization probe and ultraviolet light is applied to the tissue. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the conducting and scanning steps occur simultaneously. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the introducing step comprising applying reagents for radical reaction in a MALDI matrix to the tissue. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein scanning comprising conducting a MALDI technique using a MALDI source at a plurality of different locations on the tissue. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the conducting and scanning steps occur simultaneously.