This Week’s Mass Spec News

Worth Your Time

Researchers demonstrate the effects of modulating drying gas temperature and gas flow on measuring data generated from ion mobility quadrupole time-of-flight (IM-QTOF) mass spectrometry. Link 

A rapid, simple method involving liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) monitors Janus kinase (JAK) 1 inhibitor Upadacitinib in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Link 

Using a combination of techniques – reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC), electrospray ionization (ESI) or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), drift tube ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), and mass spectrometry – Erin Baker and colleagues publish the retention times, collision cross section values and m/z ratios for 175 per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Link 

Researchers characterize four regioisomers of a Sugammadex-related impurity (Di-OH-SGM) via a combination of liquid chromatography and cyclic ion mobility–mass spectrometry (cIM-MS) – representing a promising new way to determine isomeric mixtures. Link 

Pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) is evaluated as a method for detecting a range of polymers in human blood. The authors conclude that, due to an abundance of interferences and pyrolysis products, it is not currently suitable. Link  

Essential Reading

Worth Its Salt

Using an advanced cryogenic imaging method known as cryogenic nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (CryoNanoSIMS), a study from the University of Lausanne, Switzerland has shed light on how plants respond to high salt levels, providing the first direct visualization of how sodium is managed at cellular levels. 

“Plants are fundamentally dependent on extracting mineral nutrients from the soil, but we were never able to observe their transport and accumulation at sufficient resolution,” said Niko Geldner, co-corresponding author and leader of the UNIL research team in their press release. “The CryoNanoSIMS technology finally achieves this and promises to transform our understanding of plant nutrition, beyond the problem of salt…” Read more! 

P-tau: Predictor and Protector in Alzheimer’s

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and Hebrew University of Jerusalem have identified the phosphorylated tau (p-tau) protein as a potential resource to develop treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, as well as herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1). 

The team used advanced imaging techniques and in vitro models to analyze interactions between p-tau and HSV-1, before mass spectrometry and western blotting were applied to demonstrate the link between increased HSV-1 associated protein concentrations and disease severity. Additional findings pointed to the cGAS-STRING-TBK1 pathway, which leads to tau phosphorylation as a result of HSV-1 infection, as an area to target for the development of new therapeutic options… Read more! 

Community Corner

Jenny Joins JASMS

Congratulations are in order for Jenny Brodbelt, who was announced earlier this week as the new Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry (ASMS). Jenny is an established member of ASMS, working as an Associate Editor for the journal since 2006 in addition to a stint as ASMS President between 2014 and 2016. 

In the announcement, Jenny stated that she is “excited about the opportunity to lead the journal and will strive to increase the metrics of JASMS and further elevate its status and impact as the premier mass spectrometry journal." On behalf of everyone here at The Analytical Scientist, we wish Jenny the very best of luck in her new role! 

Finally, check out our 2023 Sitting Down With interview featuring Jenny Brodbelt: “Mentor, Collaborator, UVPD Pioneer.”