Critical Considerations for High‐Reliability Open Access LC/MS

Abstract

The implementation of Open Access Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (OA‐LC/MS) systems involved the investigation of various vendor's LC/MS systems, post‐purchase LC and MS set‐up involving theoretical and practical considerations, and the specific use of open access software. The targeted objectives were robustness, ease of use, chromatographic and mass spectral fidelity, long LC column life, and exceptional uptime. Numerous factors were addressed from initial instrument selection, user‐friendliness, maintainability and operating costs, reliability, robustness through overall manageability, and finally, the impact on productivity. During the 24‐months study, 12 systems were commissioned to meet the needs of 165 scientists and demonstrated benchmarks such as column durability, 6–8k injections/lifetime average, and >99% instrument uptime. The users' sample analysis rate is currently >130k samples/year at an average cost of <$2.50/sample analysis. This high‐reliability OA‐LC/MS facility is successful by virtue of the choice of instrumentation, management, and maintenance of all aspects of the operation by a single researcher.

Keywords:

• Open access LC/MS
• Column selection
• API‐MS
• HPLC
• ESI‐MS
• High reliability

Acknowledgments

Jon Baldvins, Michael Jackson, and Uwe Neue (and his Waters' group for images).