New Platform for Label-Free, Proximal Cellular Pharmacodynamic Assays: Identification of Glutaminase Inhibitors Using Infrared Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Data processing for high-throughput mass spectrometry in drug discovery

INTRODUCTION

High-throughput mass spectrometry that could deliver > 10 times faster sample readout speed than traditional LC-based platforms has emerged as a powerful analytical technique, enabling the rapid analysis of complex biological samples. This increased speed of MS data acquisition has brought a critical demand for automatic data processing capabilities that should match or surpass the speed of data acquisition. Those data processing capabilities should serve the different requirements of drug discovery workflows.

AREAS COVERED

This paper introduced the key steps of the automatic data processing workflows for high-throughput MS technologies. Specific examples and requirements are detailed for different drug discovery applications.

EXPERT OPINION

The demand for automatic data processing in high-throughput mass spectrometry is driven by the need to keep pace with the accelerated speed of data acquisition. The seamless integration of processing capabilities with LIMS, efficient data review mechanisms, and the exploration of future features such as real-time feedback, automatic method optimization, and AI model training is crucial for advancing the drug discovery field. As technology continues to evolve, the synergy between high-throughput mass spectrometry and intelligent data processing will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the future of high-throughput drug discovery applications.

Ultra-high-throughput mass spectrometry in drug discovery: fundamentals and recent advances

INTRODUCTION

Ultra-high-throughput mass spectrometry, uHT-MS, is a technology that utilizes ionization and sample delivery technologies optimized to enable sampling from well plates at > 1 sample per second. These technologies do not need a chromatographic separation step and can be utilized in a wide variety of assays to detect a broad range of analytes including small molecules, lipids, and proteins.

AREAS COVERED

This manuscript provides a brief historical review of high-throughput mass spectrometry and the recently developed technologies that have enabled uHT-MS. The report also provides examples and references on how uHT-MS has been used in biochemical and chemical assays, nuisance compound profiling, protein analysis and high throughput experimentation for chemical synthesis.

EXPERT OPINION

The fast analysis time provided by uHT-MS is transforming how biochemical and chemical assays are performed in drug discovery. The potential to associate phenotypic responses produced by 1000's of compound treatments with changes in endogenous metabolite and lipid signals is becoming feasible. With the augmentation of simple, fast, high-throughput sample preparation, the scope of uHT-MS usage will increase. However, it likely will not supplant LC-MS for analyses that require low detection limits from complex matrices or characterization of complex biotherapeutics such as antibody-drug conjugates.