Enter Creative Proteomics, a company that has made it their mission to provide the highest quality proteomics and metabolomics services, tailored specifically to the unique needs of clients operating in both academia and industry. One of the most crucial services offered by Creative Proteomics is none other than the Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis, the gold standard in protein and metabolite identification and quantification. Creative Proteomics' LC-MS analysis boasts of unparalleled accuracy and precision, making it the go-to choice for clients looking to identify and quantify compounds in even the most complex of samples. Our expertise in data interpretation and analysis ensures that clients receive the most comprehensive and reliable results possible.
What is LC-MS Analysis Used For?
LC-MS has earned its place in the annals of analytical prowess, enabling the identification, quantification, and characterization of even the most complex mixtures of compounds.
Widely employed in myriad fields, from pharmaceuticals to biotechnology, environmental analysis, and even forensic sciences, LC-MS analysis has proven its worth time and time again. From identifying elusive unknown compounds to determining the structure of known compounds and even quantifying compounds in a myriad of matrices, the power of LC-MS analysis is undeniable.
In the pharmaceutical industry, LC-MS provides invaluable assistance to drug discovery and development. It's an essential tool in metabolite identification, drug-target binding studies, and pharmacokinetic analysis, providing the most comprehensive and reliable results possible.But it doesn't stop there. LC-MS analysis finds itself at the forefront of environmental analysis, detecting and quantifying pollutants and contaminants in water, soil, and even air.
How Does LC-MS Work?
The intricacies of LC-MS analysis is a two-step process that delves deep into the world of analytical prowess. The first step, Liquid Chromatography (LC), is a daunting task that involves separating the sample based on a myriad of chemical properties - think polarity, size, and charge.
But it's not just liquid chromatography that makes LC-MS analysis so formidable. The second step, Mass Spectrometry (MS), introduces an entirely new level of analytical expertise. The separated compounds are ionized, then separated based on their mass-to-charge ratio.
The combination of LC and MS is where the true magic happens. The LC step separates the sample into individual components, providing a level of detail that would be otherwise unattainable. But it's the MS step that truly shines, providing invaluable information on the chemical composition and structure of each component. It's a combination that allows for the separation and analysis of even the most complex mixtures of compounds, making LC-MS analysis an indispensable tool in the world of analytical chemistry.
Advantages of LC-MS
When it comes to the analysis of various compounds, LC-MS reigns supreme due to its multitude of advantages that far surpass other analytical techniques. At the forefront of its many advantages is its astonishingly high sensitivity, which facilitates the detection of even the most minuscule of compounds at concentrations that would otherwise escape notice, making it a prominent choice for a broad scope of analytical applications; Another key advantage offered by LC-MS is its remarkable specificity, which enables the identification and quantification of specific compounds within mixtures that would prove challenging for other analytical techniques. This specificity also allows researchers to gain crucial insights into the molecular composition of complex chemical samples, and thus aid in the development of countless breakthrough discoveries；Moreover, the power of LC-MS extends to its diverse analytical capabilities, covering a wide range of compounds, including small molecules, peptides, proteins, and nucleic acids. Such versatility enables researchers to analyze a broad spectrum of chemical compounds, providing accuracy in results and insightful knowledge regarding molecular structure; It can also provide invaluable structural information on compounds, such as fragmentation patterns and adduct formation, delivering a treasure trove of information from complex chemical samples, making it an indispensable tool in the field of analytical chemistry.
Limitations of LC-MS
Despite being a powerful analytical technique, LC-MS does not come without its limitations, as it entails an array of constraining factors that can significantly hinder its applicability in certain research settings. Among its foremost limitations is its steep cost, which can be a barrier for some researchers and companies.
Furthermore, LC-MS poses yet another challenge in the form of both requiring specialized training and expertise to operate and analyze data, making it a formidable hurdle to overcome for newcomers in the field, and thus further inflating the overall cost of analysis.
In addition to these factors, LC-MS can also substantially falter in its accuracy when working with high concentrations, as its limited dynamic range can prove detrimental to quantification. Additionally, the susceptibility of LC-MS to matrix effects compounds its hindrances, an attribute in which the ionization and separation of compounds in complex matrices are negatively affected, thereby depriving researchers of crucial insights into their chemical samples.
What is Liquid LC-MS/MS?
The modern era of analytical chemistry boasts an unrivaled analytical technique in the form of liquid chromatography, coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), exquisitely fashioned to deliver a level of sensitivity and selectivity unmatched by its contemporaries.
The two-pronged approach to mass spectrometry utilized in LC-MS/MS is a marvel of analytical technology, wherein the first mass spectrometer singularly selects specific ions from the LC separation, leaving other ions untarnished. The second mass spectrometer in turn, decimates the selected ion, revealing an unprecedented level of detailed structural information that unlocks the full potential of the LC-MS/MS analytical tool.
This supremely advanced form of LC-MS analysis is extensively used in targeted analysis, where specific compounds are selected for quantification or identification, providing analytic power that could only have been dreamed of in the nascent days of analytical chemistry. Additionally, LC-MS/MS finds a compelling application in the fields of proteomics and metabolomics, empowering researchers to identify and quantify elusive proteins or metabolites in complex mixtures, inadvertently expanding the boundaries of modern analytical chemistry.
What Our LC-MS and LC-MS/MS Service Offer
At Creative Proteomics, we offer a comprehensive LC-MS and LC-MS/MS service that includes sample preparation, analysis, and data interpretation. Our state-of-the-art equipment and experienced staff ensure high-quality results and quick turnaround times.
We offer both targeted and untargeted LC-MS analysis for a variety of applications, including drug discovery, proteomics and metabolomics. Our LC-MS/MS service provides even greater sensitivity and specificity, making it ideal for the analysis of complex mixtures.
Proteomics ID
Single protein or mixtures of proteins identified using LC/MS/MS
Proteomics PTM
Protein PTMs identified using LC/MS/MS
Metabolomics Analysis
Targeted metabolomics and untargeted metabolomics analysis using LC/MS/MS
Peptide Mapping
LC-MS/MS can be used to verify the amino acid sequence of a protein therapeutic. Typically this involves digesting the sample with a series of peptidases and the fragments can be ran on the LC-MS/MS to verify the expected mass from each fragment.
Quality Control
LC-MS is a convenient method for identity testing using a reference standard and to determine purity of drug product or drug substance.
Analytical workflow of LC-MS
(Kathleen A Stringer et al., Frontiers in Immunology 2016)
Why Choose Our LC-MS Service
Fast turnaround times
Personal service from method experts
Competitive prices
Result accuracy guarantee
Suitable Sample for LC-MS Analysis
Organic solutions
Proteins
Dissolved polymers
Water samples
Pharmaceuticals
Ideal uses of LC-MS
Determining molecular weights during polymerization
Identifying parts of larger biomolecules
Identifying unknown organic contaminants
Detecting impurities in water samples
Testing for toxins
