Development of mass spectrometry as a tool for protein measurement in clinical biochemistry.

Abstract

Abstract

Proteomics is the study of proteins’ functions and structures as well as potential biomarkers. It has helped researchers to understand disorders, identify different diseases, and monitor treatment. However, methods are needed to study and measure proteins. Therefore, mass spectrometry is one of the essential methods used in proteomics. It has different types depending on the type of analysers, ion sources, and coupled methods, and each type has different usage and performed various tests. Combining two or more analysers or mass spectrometers is called tandem mass spectrometry which is a developed type of mass spectrometry. This technique can be used to measure proteins and Bio-Entities as biomarkers for some disorders and diseases. Sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristic are requirements to a method or a biomarker to be approved as well as validation. Thus, this method has high sensitivity and specificity for proteins measurement. Additionally, it can help scientists to understand clinical biochemistry and biomedicine clearly. The technique has many and different clinical applications in different laboratories. Although mass spectrometry has limitations, it is a useful and robust approach in proteomics. More development of mass spectrometry is required to improve its sensitivity and specificity and to be adopted widely in different fields.