Recent advances in mass spectrometry imaging combined with artificial intelligence for spatially clarifying molecular profiles: Toward biomedical applications

Abstract

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is an intuitive and multidimensional analysis method that provides spatial information on molecules in tissues or cells; it is widely used in biomedical research. However, MSI data sets are large and complex, and the quality of data processing directly affects its practical application. Fortunately, the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) has greatly simplified MSI data integration and image processing. The continued development of AI keeps enhancing MSI, and the integration of MSI and AI has benefited biomedical research. However, few reports summarize the recent developments in this important field. This review summarizes AI uses in currently reported MSI technology, including the introduction of the workflow for MSI data processing and mining, and provides examples of MSI combined with AI in disease diagnosis, tissue heterogeneity research, and tumor classification.