Mass Spectrometry Laboratory
| Cutting-Edge Research |
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| The Mass Spectrometry Laboratory has an active independent research program applying mass spectrometry to the diagnosis and treatment of disease states. |
The Mass Spectrometry Laboratory at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center provides an analytical resource that focuses on the application of mass spectrometry and allied chromatographic approaches to the analysis of complex biological samples.
The facility is recognized as a leader in the area of cholesterol, steroid and bile acid metabolism and consequently has built a strong national and international program in this area of research. Training in analytical biochemistry is offered to clinical fellows and graduates, and a strong emphasis on method development has led to collaborations with investigators in other divisions within the Research Foundation.
Goals of Mass Spectrometry Laboratory
The goals of the department are to better understand the biochemical basis of disease, to improve diagnostic approaches to diction of early-stage diseases and to explore mechanisms that lead to improved treatments or prevention.
Instrumentation
The laboratory is equipped with a high-resolution VG Qutospec Q" GC-MS-MS instrument, a Micromass LC Quattro Electrospray Triple" quadrupole instrument, and two Waters Micro" LC-MS instruments. These instruments are complemented with four capillary column gas chromatography instruments and four high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems having ultraviolet fluorescence and electrochemical detectors that are available for method development and analytical support.
| Current Testing |
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| - Serum bile acids by GC-MS
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| - Plasma Topiramate (Topamax)
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| - Fast atom bombardment ionization mass spectrometry (FAB-MS) of urinary bile acids for detection of inborn errors in bile acid synthesis.
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Research
The Laboratory has an active independent research program applying mass spectrometry to the diagnosis and treatment of disease states, and to the understanding of developmental biochemistry, physiology and pathophysiology. The mass spectrometer provides structural information based upon the molecular weight and fragmentation of the molecule, offers high sensitivity and precision for quantification. The techniques can distinguish stable-isotopically labeled analogs by their differences in mass and are therefore a powerful tool for tracer and kinetic studies in pediatrics, where the use of radioactive tracers can be avoided.
Contact Information
Paul Steele, MD
Medical Director, Pathology / Laboratory Medicine
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Phone: 513-636-4898 or 1-800-653-5516
Fax: 513-636-8850
OR
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