Abstract
Mass spectrometry has for many years enabled us to rapidly identify and quantify many different compounds in biological samples. The equipment is currently available in specialist centres investigating metabolic disorders and in toxicology laboratories. Improvements in sample introduction and refinements in the mass spectrometry hardware now allow higher sample throughput without extensive sample purification. Many mass spectrometers are compact and operated by computers that also assist data handling.
Mass spectrometry has the potential to change hospital laboratory operations generally. Consideration of the practical and financial aspects of its application may reveal cost-effective means of improving the specificity of analyte assay. Considerable advantages are expected in the analysis of metabolites and drugs and in proteomics.