Lipid imaging with time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS)

► Recent instrumental and sample preparation methodologicaladvances achieved in ToF- SIMS, as well as the successful applications of these advances in the detection of lipid from biological material are described in this review. ► The performance of ToF-SIMS in the analysis of lipids is compared to similar imaging techniques, including MALDI, DESI and dynamic SIMS. ► Various lipid species detected and identified using ToF-SIMS are compiled in tables and organized using the lipid classification system established by the Lipid MAPS consortium. ► State-of-the-art ToF-SIMS instruments, the J105 3D Chemical Imager and C60+-QSTAR, are described and their potential application in the field of lipidomics is discussed.