Sample Preparation for Clinical Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Assays

Explore Preparation and Automation Options

This webinar encompasses various sample preparation options for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) assays. It highlights the importance of sample processing in the clinical laboratory environment and illustrates the fit-for-purpose application of processing techniques in clinical mass spectrometry.

Dr. Clarke will discuss the theory behind different specimen preparation methods and the strengths and weaknesses of each, as well as uncover opportunities for automation. Topics include the role of upfront sample management for blood and urine specimens, microsamples, and handling dried specimens. There will also be a basic introduction to the application of LC-MS approaches for various specimen sources, i.e., alternative matrices, and elaboration about new technologies and automated alternatives for sample processing.

Learning Objectives

This webinar will help you:

• Describe various pain points and challenges in clinical LC-MS
• Discuss the impact on LC-MS assay performance of various specimen preparation approaches
• Apply a fit-for-purpose approach to the selection of a specimen preparation method
• Explain alternative specimen and microsample types and critical specimen preparation limitations

Presenter: William Clarke, PhD, MBA, DABCC (Professor of Pathology and Deputy Director, Quality and Regulatory Affairs, Pathology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

Dr. Clarke received his PhD in analytical chemistry from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln in 2000, followed by a post-doctoral fellowship in clinical chemistry at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine that he completed in 2002. He remained at Johns Hopkins and is a professor in the Department of Pathology and the director of point-of-care testing and clinical toxicology for the hospital. In addition, he received an MBA focused on medical services management from the Carey School of Business at Johns Hopkins in 2007. His research interests include clinical mass spectrometry; method development and evaluation for therapeutic drug monitoring, clinical toxicology, and point-of-care testing; and development/validation of biomarker use in drug management.

Dr. Clarke authored or co-authored over 150 peer-reviewed and published manuscripts or book chapters. He co-edited the textbook Contemporary Practice in Clinical Chemistry and is co-editor-in-chief of the journal Practical Laboratory Medicine.