Considerations for mass spectrometry-based multi-omic analysis of clinical samples

Area of Science:

• Clinical mass spectrometry
• Biomolecular analysis
• Biospecimen research

Background:

• Mass spectrometry is increasingly used in clinical labs for analyzing proteins, lipids, and metabolites in human specimens.
• The expansion of omic investigations necessitates careful consideration of the entire experimental workflow.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review considerations for analyzing clinical specimens using mass spectrometry.
• To emphasize sample handling, profiling, targeted measurements, and disease relevance.
• To provide commentary on new technologies with clinical applications.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature and best practices for mass spectrometry in clinical settings.
• Focus on sample types including blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid.
• Exclusion of integrated genomic or transcriptomic data analysis.

Main Results:

• Mass spectrometry is crucial for understanding the composition of clinical biospecimens.
• Proper sample handling and data analysis are critical for reliable results.
• Emerging technologies offer new avenues for clinical mass spectrometry.

Conclusions:

• The application of mass spectrometry in analyzing clinical specimens is growing.
• Integrating multi-omic data from mass spectrometry is essential for advancing human health and disease research.