Recent progress in metabolomics using ion mobility-mass spectrometry

• Published in: TrAC, Trends in analytical chemistry (Regular ed.) Trends in analytical chemistry (Regular ed.), 2019-07, Vol.116, p.274-281
• Main Authors: Levy, Allison J., Oranzi, Nicholas R., Ahmadireskety, Atiye, Kemperman, Robin H.J., Wei, Michael S., Yost, Richard A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Direct sampling; Ion mobility spectrometry; Ion mobility-mass spectrometry; Lipidomics; Liquid chromatography-ion mobility-mass spectrometry; Mass spectrometry; Mass spectrometry imaging; Metabolomics
• ISSN: 0165-9936; 1879-3142
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2019.05.001

In recent years, metabolomics and lipidomics approaches have become increasingly popular for use in the analysis of human heath, molecular mechanisms, and disease progression. Despite the growth in applications and advances in instrumentation, metabolomics and lipidomics are limited by factors including interference from matrix effects, the need for lengthy for chromatographic analysis, and structural diversity of metabolites and lipids creating interference of isomers and isobars, which can confound identification. Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) provides a method to enhance throughput, enhance isomeric separation, and reduce chemical noise. This review focuses on (i) the use of IMS and subsequent advancements in global metabolomics and lipidomics, (ii) the application and benefits of IMS in targeted metabolomics studies, and (iii) the use of IMS for non-chromatographic methods such as direct analysis, desorption ionization methods, and imaging. •Integration of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) enhances isomeric separation.•IMS improves metabolome coverage.•IMS mass spectrometry imaging enhances spatial characterization of tissues.•Addition of collision cross sections to metabolite databases are needed.