Clinical Applications of Mass Spectrometry in Biomolecular Analysis: Methods and Protocols [Hardcover]

This updated volume provides stepwise instructions for the analysis of numerous clinically important analytes by mass spectrometry. Mass spectrometry offers clinical laboratory scientists a number of advantages including increased sensitivity and specificity, multiple component analysis, and limited need for specialized reagents. These techniques are essential in laboratory fields including endocrinology, biochemical genetics, drug analysis, proteomics, and pathogen identification. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Introduction to Mass Spectrometry for Bimolecular Analysis in a Clinical Laboratory.- System Performance Monitoring in Clinical Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).- Tandem Mass Spectrometry for the Analysis of Plasma/Serum Acylcarnitines for the Diagnosis of Certain Organic Acidurias and Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorders.- Quantification of Plasma S-Adenosylmethionine and S-Adenosylhomocysteine Using Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Tandem Mass Spectrometry.- Quantitation of Aldosterone in Serum or Plasma Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).- Comprehensive Determination of Amino Acids for Diagnosis of Inborn Errors of Metabolism.- Quantification of Branched-Chain Amino Acids in Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spl£(