Autori: M.Penescu,I.Sisu,V.L.Purcarea,E.Sisu

Editorial: Farmacia, 57(6), p.667-680, 2009.

Rezumat:

Mass spectrometry (MS) was introduced into clinical laboratories, and first
applied to the evaluation of children at risk of inborn errors of metabolism.
For the analysis of macromolecules and in particular for proteins, glycoconjugates
and polynucleotides, a major milestone was achieved with the development in 1987 of matrix
assisted laser desorption ionization by Karas and Hillenkamp and in 1988 of electrospray
ionization by J. Fenn. Over the past decade progress in mass spectrometry and its hyphenation
with separation techniques has made these tools essential in life sciences.
The use of MS is, however, not yet routine in many fields where it could influence
clinical decisions. While medical research using MS is expanding, few applications have
become part of the standard “bedside” practice. This is partly because the transition of MS
from a research tool to a reliable clinical diagnostic platform requires rigorous
standardization, spectral quality control and assurance, standard operating procedures for
robotic and automatic sample application, and standardized controls to ensure generation of
highly reproducible spectra. Reliable identification of protein expression patterns and
associated protein biomarkers that differentiate affected kidneys from healthy ones or that
distinguish different stages of a disease has now started to become feasible.

Cuvinte cheie: nefropati,spectrometrie de masa // nephropathies, mass spectrometry