MSACL 2017 US Abstract

LC-MS/MS Troubleshooting: An Introduction

Imir Metushi (Presenter)
LabCorp/Esoterix

Bio: Imir finished his BS in Chemistry from York University (Toronto, Canada) specializing in analytical chemistry. He then went to pursue a Ph.D in Pharmacology at the University of Toronto where he developed an interest in biomarker development for adverse drug reactions (ADRs). He has 22 publications in high quality journals and has given several oral presentations in meetings such as: Society of Toxicology and American Association of Clinical Chemists. His interests are in biomarker discovery as well as performing immunoassay and mass spectrometry applications utilized in the clinical chemistry laboratory. Imir graduated from the Clinical Chemistry fellowship program at UC San Diego and is currently working as a laboratory director for LabCorp (Esoterix site in Calabasas).

Authorship: Imir G. Metushi
University of California San Diego, Department of Pathology, 10300 Campus Point Drive, San Diego, CA 92121

Short Abstract

Liquid chromatography is a critical component during LC-MS analysis and it accounts for the larger portion of troubleshooting problems during a LC-MS run. This presentation will talk about some general approaches to ensure good LC workflow, some of which include guard column choices, ferrule connections, tubing etc. Two short cases will be used to illustrate the basic concepts presented.

Long Abstract

Liquid chromatography is an essential component during compound identification through LC-MS. In fact, given the large number of compounds that most clinical and forensic labs deal with, and the large number of drugs in screening panels, the need for good LC separation has increased. Some of the most frequent problems encountered during LC-MS analysis pertain to liquid chromatography and can be anywhere from bad peak shape to missing peaks. In this presentation some basic concepts regarding good practices for setting up LC connections and troubleshooting LC problems will be presented. A step by step approach will be taken to investigate a pre column leak to post column leak. General approaches to good LC plumbing will be discussed as well as tube fitting and ferrule fitting. Two short cases will follow the presentation to reinforce basic concepts. One case will discuss a run for which bad peak shapes were observed and the other will illustrate problems when the peak height/area of analytes has significantly decreased over one day.

By the end of the session users should be able to:

1. Understand basic LC plumbing.

2. Understand what kind of LC problem leads to bad peak shape and reduced peak area.

3. Be able to develop a step by step approach to troubleshoot LC problems.


References & Acknowledgements:


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