The Changing Face of LC–MS: From Experts to Users
November 1st 2008Two decades ago, MS was the preserve of experts and skilled technicians as the instrumentation required constant attention and adjustment. At that time, liquid chromatography (LC)–MS was in its infancy and atmospheric pressure ionization (API) source interfacing was just beginning. Samples requiring analysis were passed from the requesting scientist to these "experts for analysis." The samples would be analyzed, processed, and interpreted, and the results returned via a written report. Two decades later, the users and capabilities of LC–MS have changed significantly. Now mass spectrometers and LC–MS systems are ubiquitous in the analytical laboratory, especially in the pharmaceutical industry. These instruments are used by a wide variety of scientists for a diverse range of tasks, from purity screening in medicinal chemistry, to the quantification of drugs in blood and the identification of proteins for biomarker discovery. The usability of the current MS platforms has improved..
A New Perspective on the Challenges of Mass Spectrometry
November 1st 2008For drug discovery workflows, the issue of metabolite detection and identification in in vivo systems is a critical challenge. The wide range of complex matrices (such as bile, plasma, urine, and fecal extracts), and the ion suppression effects of these biological fluids, can cause a severe decrease in the ability to detect metabolites. Greater instrument sensitivity is necessary to detect these compounds and, at the same time, helps to minimize sample preparation, simply diluting the negative effects of these complex matrices and avoiding the time- and labor-consuming sample cleanup or concentration steps that otherwise might be required.
The Impact of Fast Chromatography and Its Effects on Mass Spectrometry
November 1st 2008For many years, and after several notable failures, many researchers were convinced that it was impossible to design a quadrupole time-of-flight (qTOF) mass spectrometer that was able to retain its ability to perform the high-resolution measurements necessary for definitive molecular formula determination of unknowns. Conventional wisdom indicated that there were many reasons (for example, temperature stability, ion diffusion, and ion loss on grids of reflectrons) that would make it impossible to improve resolution of these types of instruments. Figure 1 shows a schematic of an instrument designed for high-resolution measurements with fast chromatography (Maxis UHR-TOF mass spectrometer, Bruker Daltonics, Billerica, Massachusetts). The instrument includes an ion chiller, a series of ion refocusing operations, a single reflectron, and temperature control of the overall flight tube of the instrument.
Researchers Discover Tuberculosis in 9,000-year-old skeleton using HPLC
October 15th 2008Research by scientists from University College London (UCL) and Tel Aviv University shows that the tuberculosis infection is 3,000 years older than was previously imagined and that TB in people evolved before bovine TB.
Weed Killer Analyzed Using Molecularly Imprinted Polymer
October 15th 2008A research group from BRGM (Orleans, France) and Ecole Superieure de Physique et de Chimie Industrielles (Paris, France) used terbutylazine molecularly imprinted polymers following a pressurized liquid extraction step to remove interfering compounds from soil extracts containing the herbicide atrazine.