Svar Life Science

LC-MS/MS (Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry)

High-Performance LC-MS/MS for Small and Large Molecules

LC-MS/MS (Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry) is a powerful analytical technique widely used in bioanalytical laboratories for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of small molecules (e.g., drugs, metabolites) and large molecules (e.g., peptides, proteins, and biologics). Its use spans pharmacokinetics (PK), bioequivalence studies, and biomarker quantitation. Advanced LC-MS systems offer higher sensitivity and selectivity, making them pivotal for regulated bioanalysis.  

 

HOW IT WORKS

  • Sample Preparation
    • Biological samples (plasma, serum, urine, tissues) are processed to extract the analyte of interest.
    • Techniques like protein precipitation, solid-phase extraction (SPE), or liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) are commonly used.
  • Liquid Chromatography (LC)
    • Separates analytes in a complex biological matrix.
    • Uses a high-pressure system to pass the sample through a chromatographic column.
    • Helps reduce matrix effects and improve sensitivity.
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS)
    • Detects and quantifies compounds based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z).
    • The first mass spectrometer (MS1) selects precursor ions.
    • These ions are fragmented in a collision cell.
    • The second mass spectrometer (MS2) detects the fragment ions.
    • This process provides high specificity and sensitivity.

LC-MS/MS is widely used in pharmaceuticals, clinical diagnostics, food safety, and environmental analysis due to its accuracy and sensitivity.

Applications

Applications for Small Molecules

  • Pharmacokinetics (PK) & Pharmacodynamics (PD) studies
  • Bioequivalence (BE) and bioavailability (BA) studies
  • Therapeutic drug monitoring
  • Metabolite profiling

Applications for Large Molecules

  • Quantification of peptides, proteins, and biologics
  • Anti-drug antibody (ADA) assays
  • Biomarker analysis
  • Hybrid LC-MS/MS methods are used (e.g., digestion of proteins to peptides for quantification)
Lablytica - LC-MSMS systems 1

Advantages

Advantages of LC-MS/MS

  • High selectivity and sensitivity
  • Capable of detecting low concentrations in complex matrices
  • Applicable to both regulated (GLP/GCP) and non-regulated studies
  • Supports high-throughput analysis with automation

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