  Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) as an analytical tool for bio-molecular and
bio-medical research targets, accurate compound localization and
identification. In terms of dedicated instrumentation, this translates into the
demand for more detail in the image dimension (spatial resolution) and in the
spectral dimension (mass resolution and accuracy), preferably combined in one
instrument. At the same time, large area biological tissue samples require fast
acquisition schemes, instrument automation and a robust data infrastructure.
This review discusses the analytical capabilities of an "ideal" MSI instrument
for bio-molecular and bio-medical molecular imaging. The analytical attributes
of such an ideal system are contrasted with technological and methodological
challenges in MSI. In particular, innovative instrumentation for high spatial
resolution imaging in combination with high sample throughput is discussed.
Detector technology that targets various shortcomings of conventional imaging
detector systems is highlighted. The benefits of accurate mass analysis, high
mass resolving power, additional separation strategies and multimodal
three-dimensional data reconstruction algorithms are discussed to provide the
reader with an insight in the current technological advances and the potential
of MSI for bio-medical research.

Instrumentation and Detectors