This paper is about UPLC/MS for metabolite identification; it demonstrated the first usage of UltraPerformance LC (UPLC) applications and as such is first in the field. The data in this paper illustrates how the technique can be used to gain more information about very complex samples due to the high resolving power of the system, which results in increased detection limits, faster analysis, and superior quality of data.

This paper describes a new methodology for LC/MS analysis of biological samples, which is now being rapidly adopted within the pharmaceutical and academic research environments.

This paper illustrates the use of a commercially available technology to significantly improve the speed, sensitivity, and quality of the data obtained in a metabolism study. These studies involve the detection of low-level drug metabolites or biomarkers in complex sample matrices, such as plasma and urine.

This task is normally accomplished by the use of expensive chromatographic and mass spectrometry detectors. This new technology not only allows these expensive mass spectrometers to detect analytes at a lower level, but also makes better use of the instrumentation from a financial point of view, as the data is obtained within a shorter time-frame.

Personally, I have been involved in LC/Ms and LC/NMR/MS for metabolite identification for over 10 years, first at GlaxoWellcome and more recently at the Waters Corporation. During this time, I have worked on and evaluated many interesting and novel chromatographic and MS detection techniques, such as capillary LC, monolith technology, Ion trap MS and Q-Tof MS.

I was also involved in the early stages of the development of the UltraPerformance LC system, working through the mechanical and chemistry issues to bring this technology to a reliable, robust, usable methodology.