Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026
11:02
Identification and Quantification of Deranged Metabolites in Critically Ill Patients Using NMR-Based Metabolomics
Published on: November 29, 2024
Challenges and developments in tandem mass spectrometry based clinical metabolomics
Uta Ceglarek1, Alexander Leichtle, Mathias Brügel
1Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 27, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany. uta.ceglarek@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
|November 15, 2008
Summary
Clinical metabolomics uses metabolic signatures to predict health and disease risk. Advanced mass spectrometry techniques enable multi-target metabolome profiling for personalized medicine.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Clinical metabolomics investigates metabolic signatures in biological samples to assess health and disease.
- Metabolic profiles are influenced by genetic, epigenetic, environmental, dietary, and behavioral factors.
- Accurate analysis of metabolic alterations is crucial for understanding individual health status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe new concepts and developments in mass spectrometry-based multi-target metabolome profiling.
- To highlight the diagnostic potential of metabolite profiling arrays in clinical research.
- To advance the goals of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine through metabolomics.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing powerful analytical techniques such as liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
- Employing novel hyphenated approaches like Quadrupole Linear Ion Trap (QTrap) mass spectrometry for metabolite identification and quantification.
- Developing mass spectrometry-based multi-target metabolome profiling strategies.
Main Results:
- LC-MS/MS provides a rapid, effective, and economical method for analyzing pre-defined target metabolites.
- QTrap mass spectrometry enables simultaneous identification and quantification of known and unknown metabolic targets.
- Newborn screening experiences offer valuable insights into the diagnostic utility of metabolite profiling.
Conclusions:
- Mass spectrometry-based metabolomics holds significant promise for clinical diagnostics and research.
- Metabolite profiling arrays demonstrate diagnostic potential, particularly informed by newborn screening.
- Metabolomics is a key enabler for achieving predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine.
Related Concept Videos
01:33Peptide Identification Using Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Tandem mass spectrometry, also known as MS/MS or MS2, is an analytical technique that employs two mass analyzers. Essentially it is a series of mass spectrometers that helps isolate a particular biomolecule and then helps study its chemical properties.
This technique helps gather information regarding the protein from which the peptide was obtained and to study the peptides’ amino acid sequence. Identifying peptides from a complex mixture is an important component of the growing field of...
This technique helps gather information regarding the protein from which the peptide was obtained and to study the peptides’ amino acid sequence. Identifying peptides from a complex mixture is an important component of the growing field of...
01:21Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Tandem mass spectrometry is a technique that uses multiple mass analyzers in series to obtain a higher selectivity and reduce chemical noise during analyte detection. Instruments with multiple analyzers separated by an interaction cell enable secondary fragmentation and selected study of the fragment ions.Secondary fragmentations occur in the interaction cell and can be induced by various factors. Fragmentation induced by collision with inert gases, such as N2, Ar, He, etc., is called...
01:19MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
Mass spectrometry is a powerful characterization technique that can identify and separate a wide variety of compounds ranging from chemical to biological entities, based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). The instruments that allow this detection, known as mass spectrometers, have three components: an ion source, a mass analyzer, and a detector. These spectrometers differ based on the nature of their ion source and analyzers.Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) is a commonly...
01:21Mass Spectrometry: Complex Analysis
Mass spectrometry is an important technique for the identification of pure compounds. However, it has some limitations for the analysis of complex mixtures, often due to excessive fragmentation making the spectrum too complicated to decipher. Mass spectrometry can be combined with suitable separation methods in sequence, forming hyphenated methods, which are useful in the analysis of complex mixtures.
GC–MS is a powerful hyphenated method commonly used in forensics and environmental...
GC–MS is a powerful hyphenated method commonly used in forensics and environmental...
01:19Mass Spectrometry: Overview
Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique used to determine the molecular mass and molecular formula of a compound. The basic principle of mass spectrometry is to generate ions from the analyte molecule and measure these ion abundances against their molecular mass. One common type of ionization, known as electron ionization or EI, bombards the analyte molecules in the gas phase with high-energy electron beams. The electron beams displace an electron from the molecule and leave behind a...
01:25Rapid Identification of Pathogens
MALDI-TOF MS has transformed clinical microbiology by offering a rapid and reliable method for pathogen identification. The traditional approach to microbial identification typically involves time-consuming culture techniques and biochemical tests, which can delay the initiation of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. MALDI-TOF MS avoids these delays by using characteristic ribosomal protein mass patterns of microbial cells, enabling accurate species-level identification within minutes.Principle...