This Week’s Mass Spec News

Worth Your Time

Introducing MEATiCode: a comprehensive proteomic liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MSMS) method for the simultaneous identification of species in meat authentication. Link 

Ki Tae Park and colleagues develop an efficient and simplified method to dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) lyase activity analysis using a gas dissolved gas extraction device coupled to selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS). Link 

Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) reveals 2-phenoxyethanol as a novel biomarker of active periodontal disease. Link 

Separation and identification of seventeen related substances in minocycline hydrochloride tablets, via two-dimensional liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (2D-LC-Q-TOF/MS). Link 

Researchers use ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) to measure tryptophan and nine related compounds in eye fluid to reveal metabolic shifts in patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma. Link 

Essential Reading

Glucose Identified as Broad Regulator of Tissue Differentiation

Glucose, long known as a universal fuel source for cells, has been identified as a key regulator of tissue differentiation in a study from Stanford Medicine. The research shows that glucose promotes the specialization of stem cells into mature tissues not by being metabolized, but by directly binding to proteins that control gene expression.

The findings emerged from an unbiased screening of biomolecular changes during skin cell differentiation, using mass spectrometry coupled with high-throughput analysis. The researchers identified 193 molecules that changed significantly as human epidermal stem cells matured into keratinocytes. Unexpectedly, glucose was among the most elevated.

Paul Khavari, chair of dermatology at Stanford Medicine, said: “This finding is a springboard for research on dysregulation of glucose levels, which affects hundreds of millions of people…” Read more! 

Community Corner

Blue Skies Ahead 

We like to keep our ear to the ground, here at The Analytical Scientist. A few months ago, we noticed the beginnings of an online migration from the mass spec community away from social media site X (formerly known as Twitter) – or X-odus, as aptly put by James Strachan – in favour of a newer platform. 

In line with these movements, I’m excited to share that The Analytical Scientist has now joined #TeamMassSpec over on Bluesky! Be sure to give us a follow at @analyticalsci.bsky.social so you never miss out on our latest stories, interviews and perspectives from the world of analytical science. (And fear not, loyalists of X – we’ll continue to be active on there too.)

We look forward to connecting with you there!