MIBI utilizes a primary ion beam to sputter the surface of a tissue sample, causing the release of secondary ions that are then detected and quantified. The tissue is first stained with antibodies conjugated to heavy metal isotopes. When the primary ion beam hits the tissue, it ionizes these metal tags, which are then detected by a mass spectrometer. This allows for the visualization of multiple (often more than 40) biomarkers in a single tissue section.
