Abstract:
Disclosed are methods for detecting and quantifying target analytes in a sample by mass analysis that include detecting the presence of ions of the target analyte in the sample and quantifying the amount of the target analyte. The methods can include one or more standards (e.g., internal and/or external standards) that may be labelled (e.g., isotopically labelled).
Abstract:
Systems and methods are provided for microbial identification using cleavable tags. Control information is sent to a mass spectrometer to fragment one or more nucleic acid primers labeled with a first tag and monitor for an intensity of the first tag in a mass spectrometry (MS) method. An ion source provides a beam of ions from a polymerase chain reaction amplified sample that includes one or more nucleic acid primers labeled with the first tag. The first tag binds to one or more nucleic acid primers of a known microbe and is cleaved from the nucleic acid primers during the MS method. The mass spectrometer receives the beam of ions and is adapted to perform the MS method on the beam of ions. If the intensity of the first tag received from the mass spectrometer exceeds a threshold value, the known microbe is identified in the sample.
Abstract:
One embodiment of the invention is directed to a sample processing system for analyzing a biological sample from a patient. The sample processing system comprises: a plurality of analyzers comprising at least one mass spectrometer, wherein each analyzer in the plurality of analyzers is configured to acquire at least one measurement value corresponding to at least one characteristic of the biological sample; at least one data storage component which stores (i) a list of parameters for the plurality of analyzers, and (ii) at least two condition sets, which contain data associated with completing one or more test orders. The condition sets contain data which differ by at least one variable; and a control system operatively coupled to the plurality of analyzers, and the at least one data storage component. The control system is configured to (i) determine which condition set of the at least two condition sets to use based on the determined condition set, (ii) determine which analyzer or analyzers of the plurality of analyzers to use to process each test order based on the determined condition set and one or more parameters from the list of parameters, and (iii) cause the determined analyzer or analyzers to acquire one or more measurement values for the biological sample.
Abstract:
A method is described for mass spectrometric analysis, detection and quantification of catecholamines. The methods can comprise reacting the catecholamines with a 4-aminoantipyrine reagent and detecting and/or quantifying the adduct produced by the reaction. The methods can also allow for multiplexing. Compounds formed by the reactions are also provided.
Abstract:
A method for screening a drug for cytochrome P450 (CYP) induction is provided and can include incubating the drug with a microsome-containing biological sample and then quantitating at least one cytochrome P450 isoform. The isoforms can be selected from 2B6, 3A4, 1A2, and 3A5 isoforms. In some embodiments, the method uses liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MSMS). A quantitated value can be compared to a threshold value and the drug can be determined to exhibit an acceptable CYP induction potential when the quantitated value does not exceed the threshold value. Isolated peptides are also provided.
Abstract:
Labeling reagents, sets of labeling reagents, and labeling techniques are provided for the relative quantitation, absolute quantitation, or both, of ketone or aldehyde compounds including, but not limited to, analytes comprising steroids or ketosteroids. The analytes can be medical or pharmaceutical compounds in biological samples. Methods for labeling, analyzing, and quantifying ketone or aldehyde compounds are also disclosed as are methods that also use mass spectrometry.
Abstract:
One or more known compounds are separated from a mixture using a separation device that allows processor-controlled adjustment of a separation parameter. The separated compounds are ionized and, for each cycle of a plurality of cycles, a mass spectrometer executes on the ion beam a series of MRM transitions read from a list. Two or more contiguous groups of MRM transitions to be monitored separately are received. Each group includes at least one sentinel transition that identifies a next group that is to be monitored and identifies a value for the separation parameter for the next group. A first group is placed on the list. When a sentinel transition of the first group is detected, a next group identified by the sentinel transition is placed on the list and the separation parameter is adjusted to a value identified by the sentinel transition for the next group.
Abstract:
Methods, compositions, kits, and apparatuses for MS-based quantification of a target analyte (e.g., a peptide, a hormone) in a sample are provided for increasing the productivity and/or throughput of samples by reducing the time and/or cost associated with conventional techniques for external instrument calibration that typically utilize a series of calibrators that are sequentially run through the same analytical process as a batch of samples. In various aspects, calibration mixtures are provided containing a known quantity of a plurality of calibrants for a target analyte of interest, with each calibrant being distinguishable in the calibration mixture by mass spectrometry such that a complete calibration curve can be generated from a single external calibration run.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for processing fluids on a macro- or micro-scale are described. In various aspects, a fluid may have a plurality of elongated (i.e., substantially rod-shaped) magnetic elements disposed therein within a fluid container. An illustrative fluid container is an actuator electrode or a processing vial of a microfluidic device, such as a digital microfluidic device. A magnet component may be configured to generate a magnetic force sufficient to influence the movement of the plurality of elongated magnetic elements within the fluid to be processed. For example, the magnetic force (or magnetic force gradient) may influence the plurality of elongated magnetic elements to rotate, spin, and/or move laterally side-to-side. The shape and movements of the plurality of elongated magnetic elements facilitate the rapid and efficient processing of the fluid, such as fluid mixing and/or fluid separation.
Abstract:
A method for screening a drug for cytochrome P450 (CYP) induction is provided and can include incubating the drug with a microsome-containing biological sample and then quantitating at least one cytochrome P450 isoform. The isoforms can be selected from 2B6, 3A4, 1A2, and 3A5 isoforms. In some embodiments, the method uses liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MSMS). A quantitated value can be compared to a threshold value and the drug can be determined to exhibit an acceptable CYP induction potential when the quantitated value does not exceed the threshold value. Isolated peptides are also provided.