Driving high sensitivity in biomolecular MS: improving this key parameter enables novel applications and powers additional techniques.
21 November, 2012 by Bruce Thomson, Chief Scientist, AB SCIEXMass spectrometry has become a key tool for the analysis of biomolecules in applications that range from discovery of biomarkers to the analysis of drug metabolites. While many of the analytical benchmarks of the mass spectrometer - limit of quantitation or LOQ, signal-to-noise or S/N, dynamic range, mass resolution - are important for these applications, the absolute sensitivity is a key factor that drives these characteristics.
Thermo Scientific EQuan MAX Plus LC-MS system for water and beverage analysis
15 November, 2012The EQuan MAX Plus is a turnkey, automated LC-MS system for water and beverage analysis, designed to allow immediate user productivity and reduce human error by automating manual procedures.
Spectro Spectroblue ICP-OES spectrometer
06 November, 2012The Spectroblue, for inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), was designed to meet critical elemental analysis demands such as those required by environmental laboratories, process laboratories and research institutes.
Outwitting the drug counterfeiters
12 October, 2012Drug counterfeiting is so common in some developing countries that there is a greater probability of getting a fake drug than a real one, but new technology may put an end to this global pandemic.
Thermo Fisher Scientific DIA proteomics capability for Q Exactive mass spectrometer
05 October, 2012Thermo Fisher Scientific has introduced a data-independent acquisition (DIA) proteomics capability for the Thermo Scientific Q Exactive high-performance quadrupole-Orbitrap LC-MS/MS. The feature allows the mass spectrometer to collect MS/MS spectra on virtually all ions in a sample.
Using mass spectrometry to identify proteins at pg/mL levels
24 September, 2012By combining two well-established analytic techniques and adding a twist, researchers have been able to identify proteins from blood with as much accuracy and sensitivity as the antibody-based tests used clinically. The technique should be able to speed up development of diagnostic tests and treatments based on proteins specific to certain diseases.
Fat science - Wollongong Uni and AB SCIEX form lipid analysis partnership
21 September, 2012The University of Wollongong (UOW) and AB SCIEX have formed a research partnership to develop lipid analysis capabilities, including the most definitive and comprehensive identification of double bond position in lipids.
ANU sells time machine
18 September, 2012A SHRIMP IIe advanced geochronology instrument manufactured by ANU spin-off Australian Scientific Instruments has been purchased by Polish and Japanese researchers to investigate the geochronology of the Earth.
Monitoring post-flood water quality with mass spectrometry
12 September, 2012AB SCIEX has announced that the University of Queensland (UQ) is using the company’s mass spectrometry technology to analyse how the devastating floods of 2011 have affected water quality in Australia. Two of 12 AB SCIEX instruments installed at UQ are dedicated to environmental monitoring efforts.
Rigaku Supermini200 WDXRF spectrometer
06 September, 2012Rigaku has announced the release of the Supermini200 wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometer, an enhanced version of the Rigaku Supermini benchtop WDXRF spectrometer.
Doping detection stays a neck ahead
10 August, 2012While the eyes of the world may currently be focused on the Olympics, human sport is not the only area where drug testing is routinely carried out. Horse racing is a massive worldwide industry and regular testing is essential to maintain its integrity.
Shimadzu LCMS-8080 liquid chromatography mass spectrometer
08 August, 2012Shimadzu has launched a high-end liquid chromatography mass spectrometer - the LCMS-8080 - which delivers good sensitivity, high-quality data and fast cycle times.
Shimadzu LCMS-8040 system
01 August, 2012By incorporating ion optics and collision cell technology, the LCMS-8040 provides high multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) sensitivity. A five-fold increase in sensitivity has been achieved by improving ion focusing and minimising ion losses between multipole lenses.
Catching the drug cheats
30 July, 2012 by Janette WoodhouseRams testicles gave athletes in ancient Greece a testosterone boost, 1896 Paris-to-Bordeaux cyclists combined heroin and cocaine in a speedball, sprinters at the Berlin Olympics experimented with nitroglycerine in an effort to dilate their coronary arteries … athletes have been experimenting with performance-enhancing drugs and techniques for a long time.
Detecting new designer drugs
17 July, 2012A new method of drug testing developed by researchers at RTI International makes it possible to detect a wider range of synthetically produced ‘designer’ drugs.
