Calibrators and Internal Standards in Protein Mass Spectrometry Assays: Differences, Commonalities, and Best-Practice Christopher Shuford (Presenter) Laboratory Corporation of America

Authors: Christopher M. Shuford (1)
(1) Laboratory Corporation of America, Burlington, NC, USA

Internal standards are not calibrators. This fact is often overlooked in the field of proteomics, which has propagated misconceptions as new protein mass spectrometry assays are translating into the clinical chemistry lab. In the first part of this 3 part series, the distinction between calibrators and internal standard will be highlighted in the context of protein measurements by mass spectrometry. In the second part of the series, best practices for calibration and standardization/harmonization of protein mass spectrometry assays will be discussed. Finally, options for internal standardization of protein mass spectrometry assays will be reviewed and contrasted in the third part of the series.

Introduction

Internal standards are not calibrators. This fact is often overlooked in the field of proteomics, which has propagated misconceptions as new protein mass spectrometry assays are translating into the clinical chemistry lab. In the first part of this 3 part series, the distinction between calibrators and internal standard will be highlighted in the context of protein measurements by mass spectrometry. In the second part of the series, best practices for calibration and standardization/harmonization of protein mass spectrometry assays will be discussed. Finally, options for internal standardization of protein mass spectrometry assays will be reviewed and contrasted in the third part of the series.

Methods

Results

Conclusions & Discussion