Premium
A method for assessing and maintaining the reproducibility of mass spectrometric analyses of complex samples
Author(s) -
Lecchi Paolo,
Zhao Jinghua,
Wiggins Wesley S.,
Chen TzongHao,
Bertenshaw Greg P.,
Yip Ping F.,
Mansfield Brian C.,
Peltier John M.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
rapid communications in mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.528
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1097-0231
pISSN - 0951-4198
DOI - 10.1002/rcm.4079
Subject(s) - reproducibility , chemistry , biomarker discovery , mass spectrometry , spectral analysis , chromatography , simplicity , biochemical engineering , analytical chemistry (journal) , proteomics , engineering , epistemology , biochemistry , physics , philosophy , quantum mechanics , spectroscopy , gene
Abstract Direct injection mass spectrometric analysis of biological samples is potentially an attractive approach to the discovery of diagnostic patterns for specific pathophysiological conditions because of its speed and simplicity. Despite the possible benefits offered by such a method, its extensive application has been limited so far by several factors, including the inadequate reproducibility of the analytical results. We describe a method for monitoring and optimizing the performance of mass spectrometers used for biomarker discovery studies, based on the analysis of patterns of standardized spectral features. The method was successfully applied to maintaining spectral reproducibility during a multi‐day analysis of hundreds of serum samples despite an ion source failure, which necessitated minor maintenance. The monitoring method allowed the early detection of that failure and the restoration of the spectral profiles after the system was restarted. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.