Abstract: A method of analyzing a population of cells is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the method includes i) obtaining an array of cells on a substrate, wherein the cells are labeled with one or more mass tags and are separated from one another, ii) measuring, using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), the abundance of the one or more mass tags at a plurality of locations occupied by the cells, thereby generating, for each individual cell measured, a set of data, and iii) outputting the set of data for each of the cells analyzed. Also provided herein are systems that find use in performing the subject method. In some embodiments, the system is an automated system for analyzing a population of cells using SIMS.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for stratification of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) tumors with respect to prognostic features that distinguish primary DCIS tumors with a high probability of recurrence and invasive disease, representing tumor progression, from tumors that will not recur. Stratification methods may comprise analysis of a DCIS tissue sample with MIBI-TOF imaging.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a population of cells is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the method includes i) obtaining an array of cells on a substrate, wherein the cells are labeled with one or more mass tags and are separated from one another, ii) measuring, using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), the abundance of the one or more mass tags at a plurality of locations occupied by the cells, thereby generating, for each individual cell measured, a set of data, and iii) outputting the set of data for each of the cells analyzed. Also provided herein are systems that find use in performing the subject method. In some embodiments, the system is an automated system for analyzing a population of cells using SIMS.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a population of cells is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the method includes i) obtaining an array of cells on a substrate, wherein the cells are labeled with one or more mass tags and are separated from one another, ii) measuring, using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), the abundance of the one or more mass tags at a plurality of locations occupied by the cells, thereby generating, for each individual cell measured, a set of data, and iii) outputting the set of data for each of the cells analyzed. Also provided herein are systems that find use in performing the subject method. In some embodiments, the system is an automated system for analyzing a population of cells using SIMS.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of generating a high resolution image of a cellular sample, the method including i) labeling a cellular sample with at least one mass tag, thereby producing a labeled sample in which a biological feature of interest is associated with the at least one mass tag, ii) scanning the sample with a continuous or near-continuous primary ion beam to generate sputtered secondary ions and sputtered neutral species, iii) photoionizing the sputtered neutrals to generate ionized neutral species, wherein the sputtered neutrals are photoionized at a site that is proximal to their source on the sample, iv) detecting the ionized neutral species by mass spectrometry, thereby obtaining spatially addressed measurements of the abundance of the at least one mass tag across an area of the sample, and v) producing an image of the sample using the measurements. A system for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of generating a high resolution two-dimensional image of a sample comprising cells and extracellular structures is provided. In certain embodiments, the method comprises: labeling a sample with at least one mass tag, thereby producing a labeled sample; scanning the sample with a secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS) ion beam to generate a data set that comprises spatially-addressable measurements of the abundance of the mass tag across an area of the sample; and outputting the data set. In many embodiments, the data set contains the identity and abundance of the mass tag. A system for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a population of cells is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the method includes i) obtaining an array of cells on a substrate, wherein the cells are labeled with one or more mass tags and are separated from one another, ii) measuring, using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), the abundance of the one or more mass tags at a plurality of locations occupied by the cells, thereby generating, for each individual cell measured, a set of data, and iii) outputting the set of data for each of the cells analyzed. Also provided herein are systems that find use in performing the subject method. In some embodiments, the system is an automated system for analyzing a population of cells using SIMS.

Abstract: A method of generating a high resolution two-dimensional image of a sample comprising cells and extracellular structures is provided. In certain embodiments, the method comprises: labeling a sample with at least one mass tag, thereby producing a labeled sample; scanning the sample with a secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS) ion beam to generate a data set that comprises spatially-addressable measurements of the abundance of the mass tag across an area of the sample; and outputting the data set. In many embodiments, the data set contains the identity and abundance of the mass tag. A system for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of generating a high resolution image of a cellular sample, the method including i) labeling a cellular sample with at least one mass tag, thereby producing a labeled sample in which a biological feature of interest is associated with the at least one mass tag, ii) scanning the sample with a continuous or near-continuous primary ion beam to generate sputtered secondary ions and sputtered neutral species, iii) photoionizing the sputtered neutrals to generate ionized neutral species, wherein the sputtered neutrals are photoionized at a site that is proximal to their source on the sample, iv) detecting the ionized neutral species by mass spectrometry, thereby obtaining spatially addressed measurements of the abundance of the at least one mass tag across an area of the sample, and v) producing an image of the sample using the measurements. A system for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a population of cells is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the method includes i) obtaining an array of cells on a substrate, wherein the cells are labeled with one or more mass tags and are separated from one another, ii) measuring, using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), the abundance of the one or more mass tags at a plurality of locations occupied by the cells, thereby generating, for each individual cell measured, a set of data, and iii) outputting the set of data for each of the cells analyzed. Also provided herein are systems that find use in performing the subject method. In some embodiments, the system is an automated system for analyzing a population of cells using SIMS.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of generating a high resolution image of a cellular sample, the method including i) labeling a cellular sample with at least one mass tag, thereby producing a labeled sample in which a biological feature of interest is associated with the at least one mass tag, ii) scanning the sample with a continuous or near-continuous primary ion beam to generate sputtered secondary ions and sputtered neutral species, iii) photoionizing the sputtered neutrals to generate ionized neutral species, wherein the sputtered neutrals are photoionized at a site that is proximal to their source on the sample, iv) detecting the ionized neutral species by mass spectrometry, thereby obtaining spatially addressed measurements of the abundance of the at least one mass tag across an area of the sample, and v) producing an image of the sample using the measurements. A system for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a population of cells is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the method includes i) obtaining an array of cells on a substrate, wherein the cells are labeled with one or more mass tags and are separated from one another, ii) measuring, using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), the abundance of the one or more mass tags at a plurality of locations occupied by the cells, thereby generating, for each individual cell measured, a set of data, and iii) outputting the set of data for each of the cells analyzed. Also provided herein are systems that find use in performing the subject method. In some embodiments, the system is an automated system for analyzing a population of cells using SIMS.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer system for elemental analysis of a planar sample is provided. In some embodiments, the mass spectrometer system comprises: a primary ion source capable of irradiating a segment on planar sample with a beam of primary ions that is less than 1 mm in diameter, c) an orthogonal ion mass-to-charge ratio analyzer positioned downstream of sample interface, the analyzer being configured to separate secondary elemental atomic ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio by time of flight; d) an ion detector for detecting the secondary elemental atomic ions and producing mass spectra measurements; and e) a synchronizer, wherein the system is configured so that so that the beam of primary ions scans across the planar sample in two dimensions and the synchronizer associates the mass spectra measurements with positions on the planar sample.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of generating a high resolution image of a cellular sample, the method including i) labeling a cellular sample with at least one mass tag, thereby producing a labeled sample in which a biological feature of interest is associated with the at least one mass tag, ii) scanning the sample with a continuous or near-continuous primary ion beam to generate sputtered secondary ions and sputtered neutral species, iii) photoionizing the sputtered neutrals to generate ionized neutral species, wherein the sputtered neutrals are photoionized at a site that is proximal to their source on the sample, iv) detecting the ionized neutral species by mass spectrometry, thereby obtaining spatially addressed measurements of the abundance of the at least one mass tag across an area of the sample, and v) producing an image of the sample using the measurements. A system for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a population of cells is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the method includes i) obtaining an array of cells on a substrate, wherein the cells are labeled with one or more mass tags and are separated from one another, ii) measuring, using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), the abundance of the one or more mass tags at a plurality of locations occupied by the cells, thereby generating, for each individual cell measured, a set of data, and iii) outputting the set of data for each of the cells analyzed. Also provided herein are systems that find use in performing the subject method. In some embodiments, the system is an automated system for analyzing a population of cells using SIMS.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer system having: a primary ion source capable of irradiating a segment on a planar sample with a beam of primary ions, an orthogonal ion mass-to-charge ratio, the analyzer being configured to separate secondary elemental atomic ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio by time of flight; an ion detector for detecting secondary elemental atomic ions and producing mass spectra measurements; and a synchronizer. In the system, the beam of primary ions scans across the planar sample in two dimensions and the synchronizer associates the mass spectra measurements with positions on the planar sample.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer system for elemental analysis of a planar sample is provided. In some embodiments, the mass spectrometer system comprises: a primary ion source capable of irradiating a segment on planar sample with a beam of primary ions that is less than 1 mm in diameter, c) an orthogonal ion mass-to-charge ratio analyzer positioned downstream of sample interface, the analyzer being configured to separate secondary elemental atomic ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio by time of flight; d) an ion detector for detecting the secondary elemental atomic ions and producing mass spectra measurements; and e) a synchronizer, wherein the system is configured so that so that the beam of primary ions scans across the planar sample in two dimensions and the synchronizer associates the mass spectra measurements with positions on the planar sample.

Abstract: A method of generating a high resolution two-dimensional image of a sample comprising cells and extracellular structures is provided. In certain embodiments, the method comprises: labeling a sample with at least one mass tag, thereby producing a labeled sample; scanning the sample with a secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS) ion beam to generate a data set that comprises spatially-addressable measurements of the abundance of the mass tag across an area of the sample; and outputting the data set. In many embodiments, the data set contains the identity and abundance of the mass tag. A system for performing the method is also provided.