Challenges and Opportunities for Biological Mass Spectrometry Core Facilities in the Developing World

Area of Science:

• Biological mass spectrometry (MS)
• Proteomics
• Metabolomics

Background:

• Rapid expansion of biological mass spectrometry (MS) availability in developing countries, primarily through core facilities.
• Increasing local feasibility of proteomics and metabolomics research in these nations.
• Potential for increased research output in high-burden areas like infectious diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the growth of MS in South Africa as a model for establishing MS core facilities in other developing nations.
• To identify key challenges and suggest strategies for successful MS facility implementation.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the rapid growth of MS in South Africa, involving approximately 20 laboratories.
• Summarizing experiences from 6 different institutions to assess the current state of biological MS research.
• Focusing on service provision and user education as critical components for facility success.

Main Results:

• Emphasis on developing new services over acquiring new instruments is recommended for MS facilities.
• Supply chain delays for reagents and instrument maintenance pose significant challenges.
• A key challenge is educating users on experimental design, artifact identification, and data interpretation in proteomics and metabolomics.

Conclusions:

• South Africa's MS facility growth serves as a valuable model for other developing nations.
• Addressing supply chain and maintenance issues is crucial for facility efficiency.
• Enhanced user education is essential for maximizing the impact of MS research in resource-limited settings.