Statistical detection of differentially abundant ions in mass spectrometry-based imaging experiments with complex designs

• Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI) characterizes changes in chemical composition between regions of biological samples such as tissues. One goal of statistical analysis of MSI experiments is class comparison, i.e. determining analytes that change in abundance between conditions more systematically than as expected by random variation. To reach accurate and reproducible conclusions, statistical analysis must appropriately reflect the initial research question, the design of the MSI experiment, and all the associated sources of variation. This manuscript highlights the importance of following these general statistical principles. Using the example of two case studies with complex experimental designs, and with different strategies of data acquisition, we demonstrate the extent to which choices made at key points of this workflow impact the results, and provide suggestions for appropriate design and analysis of MSI experiments that aim at detecting differentially abundant analytes. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Analytisk kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Analytical Chemistry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Mass spectrometry imaging

Nano-DESI MSI

DESI MSI

Experimental design

Statistical analysis

Spatial statistics

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)