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Hello group, my company is considering buying a new LC-MS/MS system
(currently we are just using LC-MS) for analysis of our PK samples.
We are working with small hydrophobic peptides and peptidomimetics
(around 4 - 5 residues). I have never used an MS-MS system, and was
wondering if anyone can offer any advice. Does anyone have a system
that they are particularly happy with and would recommend? Is there a
good resource where I could learn more about available systems and
differences from single MS systems?
Thanks,
Alene McCoy
Pacific NW Biotechnology
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The following message was posted to: PharmPK
Hi Alene,
The three established players in the field are Sciex, Thermofinnigan
and Waters, all of whom have been building good triple quadrupole
mass spec systems for about 15 years now. (Other manufactures such
as Agilent and Shimadzu are coming up with some nice systems, but so
far, these are the major players for quantitative bioanalysis to
support PK.)
The Sciex API 4000 and 5000 have been the leading platforms for small
molecule lc/ms/ms quantitation for the past several years. The ion
source on the 4000/5000 is extremely rugged and can hold up to many
hundreds of samples without loosing sensitivity. However, the Sciex
software for this platform, named "Analyst" has many quirks and is
not as intuitive as Waters "MassLynx" software or Thermofinnigan's
"Xcalibur" software.
The Thermofinnigan Quantum is roughly equal in sensitivity to the API
4000 or 5000 (it's compound dependent), and the Xcalibur software is
more intuitive. An advantage to the Quantum is its higher resolution
capability (without much loss in sensitivity). This gives greater
specificity to the mass spec portion of the method, which can
potentially be important in cases of interfering substances in the
matrix.
The Waters Quattro Premier XE is also quite sensitive, (roughly equal
to the others). It has the advantage of ultra fast scanning
capability. This is a distinct plus when combined with the modern
fast lc systems (such as the Waters AQUITY UPLC). Ultra thin peaks
require ultrafast scanning to get an adequate number of scans across
the peak for good quantitation. The MassLynx software is also quite
intuitive.
It's hard to go wrong with any of the above systems. Lately (the
past 5 years) most GLP labs have been using the Sciex platform,
(stability over time for large sample sets). Sciex is also widely
used in a Discovery environment, but Thermofinnigan and Waters seem
to have a greater presence in non-GLP labs. We use the Sciex
platform for both Discovery and GLP work. However, I've used the
other manufacturer's equipment in the past and I have friends who use
the other platforms.
Hope this helps.
Stuart
--
Stuart Coleman, Manager
Matrix BioAnalytical Laboratories
25 Science Park at Yale
New Haven, CT 06511
Web: www.matrixbioanalytical.com
Email: stuart.coleman.aaa.matrixbioanalytical.com
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