A Tandem Mass Spectrometry Primer for Metabolite Disease Detection

Abstract

Mass Spectrometry is being utilized in biochemical research and clinical testing at an astounding rate. This is due to its power as a universal detector when combined with chromatographic separation schemes or when used in its most powerful and versatile mode, as a tandem mass spectrometer. With this increased utilization, the technique is use by more than traditional analytical chemists, rather it is used by scientists who specialize in other areas of biological sciences and medicine. The results and their meaning also impact physicians and medical professionals since an assay performed with mass spectrometry at its core may have a different clinical selectivity and sensitivity than more traditional / classical immunoassays. This brief guide or primer is designed to provide a very basic overview of the many facets of mass spectrometry so that other articles describing its use can be better understood. The guide includes a few examples of the practice of mass spectrometry in screening and clinical diagnostics.