MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry for quantitative, specific, and sensitive analysis of DNA and RNA

Cell-free fetal DNA and RNA released into the maternal circulation offer new opportunities to study fetal and pregnancy-associated abnormalities. Similarly, tumor cells can release cell-free DNA and RNA into the peripheral circulation, and these cell-free DNA and RNA can be used for cancer diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis. However, these DNA and RNA often exist at very low concentrations (for fetal DNA, approximately 20 genome-equivalents (G.E.)/mL of plasma in the first trimester). The analysis is further complicated by the predominant amount of blood cell-derived DNA and RNA. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry can provide quantitative, specific, and sensitive analysis of DNA and RNA, and thus may be a useful technology for the field.