Mass spectrometry (MS) is a cornerstone of modern medicinal chemistry, enabling precise identification, quantification, and structural elucidation of molecules. From profiling drug metabolites to confirming compound purity and characterizing protein–ligand interactions, MS provides unmatched sensitivity and specificity across every stage of drug discovery and development.
This section explores the evolving role of MS in pharmaceutical research, including techniques like LC–MS/MS, MALDI-TOF, and high-resolution MS. Whether you're optimizing lead compounds, analyzing complex biological matrices, or validating biomarkers, mass spectrometry is the analytical engine driving molecular insight.
| Technique | Key Features and Applications |
|---|---|
| MALDI-TOF | Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization – Time of Flight. Ideal for large biomolecules like peptides and proteins. |
| High-Resolution MS (HRMS) | Offers precise mass measurements for structural elucidation and impurity profiling. Useful in metabolomics and proteomics |
LC–MS |
Combines liquid chromatography with tandem MS |
| LC-MS/MS | Combines liquid chromatography with tandem multiple quadrupoles for MS/MS analysis. Gold standard for quantifying drugs/metabolites in biological samples. Enables fragmentation of ions for structural analysis. Crucial for peptide sequencing and metabolite ID. |