Automation plays a central role in imaging mass spectrometry when researchers analyze large and diverse sample cohorts. In this interview, Pierre Chaurand, Professor of Chemistry at the Université de Montréal, explains how laboratories often process more than 50 tumor samples collected over time—from biobanks or directly from surgery. These staggered arrivals demand strict reproducibility across the entire analytical workflow.
Chaurand highlights that variability most often arises during sample preparation. From tissue handling and matrix deposition to data acquisition and analysis, each step must remain tightly controlled. Automation reduces inconsistencies, strengthens protocol adherence, and supports reliable comparisons across extended studies.
Automated matrix deposition systems allow laboratories to tailor preparation to specific biomolecule classes and analytical questions. By minimizing manual intervention, researchers improve confidence in spatial data and ensure robust, reproducible imaging mass spectrometry results—especially in large-scale clinical or translational studies.
