Biotechnology Bulletin ›› 2021, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (1): 32-51.doi: 10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2020-1374

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Spatially Resolved Metabolomics:Progress and Challenges

YIN Zhi-bin1(), HUANG Wen-jie1, WU Xin-zhou2(), YAN Shi-juan1()   

  1. 1. Agro-biological Gene Research Center,Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Guangdong Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources Preservation and Utilization,Guangzhou 510640
    2. College of Plant Protection,South China Agricultural University,Guangzhou 510642
  • Received:2020-11-12 Online:2021-01-26 Published:2021-01-15
  • Contact: WU Xin-zhou,YAN Shi-juan E-mail:zbyin@agrogene.ac.cn;wuxz@scau.edu.cn;shijuan@agrogene.ac.cn

Abstract:

Spatially resolved metabolomics is developed by integrating mass spectrometry imaging(MSI)and metabolomics methods for accurate determination of types,contents,and spatial differentiation of endogenous and exogenous metabolites within plant and animal tissues. Benefiting from the unique features of label-free and non-specific detections,as well as high sensitivity,high chemical coverage,and simultaneous detection of elements and molecules,MSI has gained an increasing attention as a powerful tool in spatial and temporal visualization of various metabolites,peptides,and proteins. Herein,we introduce the current research status of metabolomics and MSI techniques,then focus on the emerging applications of spatially resolved metabolomics in plant and animal tissues,as well as at the single cell levels,and finally prospect the current bottlenecks and future developing trends in spatially resolved metabolomics. As an emerging molecular imaging-based omics technique,spatially resolved metabolomics is featured for its label-free and visualized detection of absorption,distribution,metabolism,and excretion of exogenous drugs in animal tissues,and provides insights into the biosynthesis,transport pathways,and accumulation of various metabolites in plant tissues. This technique facilitates further applications in the discovery of targeted drugs,understanding of pathological mechanisms,and a spatial metabolic network closely related to the growth and development of plants and animals.

Key words: mass spectrometry imaging, metabolomics, spatially resolved, visualized detection, metabolic products