Interest in using high-resolution MS (HRMS) continues to grow. In addition to DMPK applications Citation[1,2], it is now being used for clinical and doping applications Citation[3,4] as well as toxicological and forensic applications Citation[5–7]. This special edition of Bioanalysis focusing on HRMS is a follow-up to the 2012 special focus issue of Bioanalysis on HRMS. The 2012 publication focused primarily on discovery bioanalysis plus metabolite identification applications of HRMS. The 2013 publication expands the focus to include regulated bioanalysis, peptide quantitation and protein therapeutics, as well as editorials and opinions on various HRMS topics, including using HRMS for forensic and clinical toxicology. In addition, there are articles on the utility of various software tools that are being developed to facilitate the ability to use HRMS for various applications.
This 2013 special focus issue of Bioanalysis focusing on HRMS is a collection of articles that update and expand the scope of how HRMS is being used by scientists engaged in various aspects of new drug discovery and drug development. There are three review articles: one on metabolite identification with HRMS Citation[8]; one on using microflow LC–HRMS for bioanalysis Citation[9]; and one on structural characterization of protein therapeutics Citation[10]. There is one article describing software automation tools for using HRMS in metabolic stability screening Citation[11]. There are two perspective articles: one focused on HRMS in discovery bioanalysis Citation[12] and one focused on regulated bioanalysis Citation[13]. There are five editorial and/or opinion pieces: beyond the paradigm shift Citation[14]; metabotype analysis by HRMS Citation[15]; benefits and pitfalls of HRMS Citation[16]; peptide quantification by HRMS Citation[17]; and HRMS for forensic and clinical toxicology Citation[18]. Finally, there are four research articles on HRMS: a metabolite profiling and reactive metabolite case study Citation[19]; large molecule quantification study Citation[20]; metabolomics and data-mining tools Citation[21]; and a report on using HRMS for a regulated bioanalysis assay of six bile acids Citation[22].
Together, these articles demonstrate the rapid expansion of interest in using HRMS for multiple types of assays of interest to not only DMPK scientists, but also scientists involved in various areas of pharmaceutical science from discovery to clinical applications for both small and large molecules.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.
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