Ardrey Kell High School 1 article published in JoVE Biology Sample Preparation for Rapid Lipid Analysis in Drosophila Brain Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging Yuki X. Chen*1,5,6, Kelly Veerasammy*1,2, Jun Yin*3, Tenzin Choetso1,4, Tiffany Zhong7, Muniyat A. Choudhury1,4,5, Cory Weng1,4,5, Ethan Xu8, Mayan A. Hein9,10, Rinat Abzalimov2, Ye He1 1Advanced Science Research Center, Neuroscience Initiative, the City University of New York, Graduate Center New York, 2Advanced Science Research Center, Structural Biology Initiative, the City University of New York, Graduate Center, 3National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, 4The City College of New York, CUNY, 5Macaulay Honors College, CUNY, 6Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, The City University of New York, 7Princeton University, 8Ardrey Kell High School, 9The Borough of Manhattan Community College, CUNY, 10Gallatin School of Individualized Study, New York University The aim of this protocol is to provide detailed guidance on the proper sample preparation for lipid and metabolite analysis in small tissues, such as the Drosophila brain, using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging.