This study develops a chiral LC-MS/MS method with pre-column derivatization for simultaneous determination of carnitine (CAR) and acetylcarnitine (ACA) enantiomers in food. Conversion to 3-nitrophenylhydrazine derivatives followed by separation on a CHIRALPAK ZWIX (−) column provided resolution values above 1.57 for the respective enantiomers.After validation, the method was applied to meat, milk, and fermented soybean products. L-CAR and L-ACA were detected in all tested foods, while trace amounts of D-CAR were identified in the traditional Japanese fermented food Hama-natto, demonstrating the method’s suitability for selective food analysis.<blockquote><h4>The original article</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949771X26000101#sec0010">Development of a chiral liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for simultaneous determination of carnitine and acetylcarnitine enantiomers in food samples</a></h4>Aogu Furusho, Hiroki Mizuno, Yutaro Nakayama, Eiji Sugiyama, Kenji Kojima, Kenichiro TodorokiJ. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. Open., 2026, 100111, Volume 7<div><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949771X26000101#sec0010">10.1016/j.jpbao.2026.100111</a></div><h6>licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC-BY 4.0</a></h6></blockquote>Selected sections from the article follow. Formats and hyperlinks were adapted from the original.<div><div><div><div><div>Carnitine (CAR) is a functional endogenous compound found in various animals <a style="color:rgb(2, 114, 177);font-size:16px;line-height:26px;text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949771X26000101#bib1">[1]</a>. Since CAR has one asymmetric carbon in its structure, the l- and d-enantiomers are present. l-CAR is a cofactor that transports long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria and promotes energy production via β-oxidation <a style="color:rgb(2, 114, 177);font-size:16px;line-height:26px;text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949771X26000101#bib2">[2]</a>. Humans biosynthesize 25% of the required amounts of l-CAR from l-lysine and l-methionine and ingest the remaining 75% from foodstuffs <a style="color:rgb(2, 114, 177);font-size:16px;line-height:26px;text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949771X26000101#bib3">[3]</a>, <a style="color:rgb(2, 114, 177);font-size:16px;line-height:26px;text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949771X26000101#bib4">[4]</a>. The insufficient intake of l-CAR induces a CAR deficiency <a style="color:rgb(2, 114, 177);font-size:16px;line-height:26px;text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949771X26000101#bib5">[5]</a>, and levocarnitine (l-form) is used as the therapeutic drug. Acetylcarnitine (ACA) is an acetylated molecule of CAR and is converted from CAR by carnitine O-acetyltransferase in the human body <a style="color:rgb(2, 114, 177);font-size:16px;line-height:26px;text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949771X26000101#bib6">[6]</a>. ACA is also related to energy production and is essential for storing acetyl groups to produce acetylcholine <a style="color:rgb(2, 114, 177);font-size:16px;line-height:26px;text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949771X26000101#bib7">[7]</a>. A previous study demonstrated that l-ACA taken from foods was partially hydrolyzed in the body and increased the l-CAR concentration within the tissues of aged rats <a style="color:rgb(2, 114, 177);font-size:16px;line-height:26px;text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949771X26000101#bib8">[8]</a>, indicating that CAR and ACA are interconverted. Furthermore, l-ACA has some therapeutic effects to downregulate inflammation-induced angiogenesis <a style="color:rgb(2, 114, 177);font-size:16px;line-height:26px;text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949771X26000101#bib9">[9]</a> and to reduce nerve pain <a style="color:rgb(2, 114, 177);font-size:16px;line-height:26px;text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949771X26000101#bib7">[7]</a>, <a style="color:rgb(2, 114, 177);font-size:16px;line-height:26px;text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949771X26000101#bib10">[10]</a>, making it a promising drug candidate. Both CAR and ACA are also commercially available as supplements to reduce body fat.Meanwhile, the d-isomers don’t have the above functions and are not thought to be present in the human body. Previous studies have revealed some specific functions such that d-CAR inhibited the l-CAR absorption causing CAR deficiency <a style="color:rgb(2, 114, 177);font-size:16px;line-height:26px;text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949771X26000101#bib11">[11]</a>, and d-ACA enhanced the efficiency of the drug for the Pompe disease <a style="color:rgb(2, 114, 177);font-size:16px;line-height:26px;text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949771X26000101#bib12">[12]</a>. Since the physiological actions of the d-forms and l-forms differ, enantioselective analysis of the CAR and ACA enantiomers is desirable for studying their functions and biokinetics.Several analytical methods have been already developed for the determination of the CAR and ACA enantiomers. In these methods, two approaches were mainly taken; i.e., the reversed-phase separation with the combination of diastereomeric derivatization and the direct separation by an enantioselective column. To convert enantiomers to diastereomers, chiral reagents, such as (+)-1-(9-fluorenyl)ethyl chloroformate <a style="color:rgb(2, 114, 177);font-size:16px;line-height:26px;text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949771X26000101#bib13">[13]</a> and l-alanine-β-naphthylamide <a style="color:rgb(2, 114, 177);font-size:16px;line-height:26px;text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949771X26000101#bib14">[14]</a>, were used. The conventional ODS column successfully separated the CAR and ACA enantiomers as their diastereomeric derivatives, and the methods were reported to be applicable for the enantiomeric purity check of drug substances. Regarding the chiral liquid chromatographic (LC) method, various types of enantioselective columns have been tested, but it was revealed that the separation of the CAR and ACA enantiomers was quite difficult <a style="color:rgb(2, 114, 177);font-size:16px;line-height:26px;text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949771X26000101#bib15">[15]</a>. A CHIRALCEL OD-R column based on the polysaccharide structure was among the few that achieved simultaneous separation of the CAR and ACA enantiomers. The target analytes were derivatized with (α-bromo)methyl phenyl ketone, and the method was applied to the analysis of drug substances <a style="color:rgb(2, 114, 177);font-size:16px;line-height:26px;text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949771X26000101#bib16">[16]</a>. However, the measurement of foods, pharmaceutical agents, and biological samples has scarcely been performed, likely due to the low selectivity of the LC separation and ultraviolet/fluorescence detection used in these methods. Thus, improving the selectivity of the method is required to expand the range of the measurable samples.In the present study, a chiral LC-tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of the CAR and ACA enantiomers. Direct separation using an enantioselective column enables the analysis independent of the optical purity of the reagents, and MS/MS could provide a higher selectivity than those of the previous methods. Furthermore, because CAR and ACA possess an ammonium cation which contributes to the high ionization efficiency, a high sensitivity by MS could also be expected. After the method development and validation, the content analyses of the CAR and ACA enantiomers were performed for meat, milk, and soybean fermented food samples.<h4>2. Experimental</h4><h5>2.4. LC-MS conditions</h5>The LC-MS/MS system consisted of ultra-high performance liquid chromatographic systems (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products/198">ACQUITY H-class</a> and<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products/199"> I-class</a>, Waters, Milford, MA, USA) and triple quadrupole mass spectrometers (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products/212">Xevo TQ-S</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products/209">TQ-S micro</a>, Waters). The chiral separation of CAR and ACA was performed on a CHIRALPAK ZWIX (-) column (3.0 mm I.D.×250 mm, 3 µm, Daicel Corporation, Osaka, Japan) at room temperature. The mobile phases were 5 mM FA/NH4FA in H2O/MeOH/MeCN (A: 2/9/89 and B: 2/19/79, v/v/v) at the flow rate of 0.25 mL/min. The LC gradient property was as follows: 0–25 min, 100% A; 25.1–45 min, 100% B; 45.1–60 min, 100% A. The MS detection was performed with the following conditions: 3.0 kV spray voltage for ESI positive ionization; 150 L/hr cone gas flow rate; 1000 L/hr desolvation gas flow rate; 150°C source temperature; 500°C desolvation temperature. The selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode was used for the detection, and the set transitions, cone voltage (CV), and collision energy (CE) for the target compounds are summarized in Table 1. The different CEs were used for 3-NPH-ACA on Xevo TQS (10 eV) and Xevo TQ-S micro (20 eV). Data processing was performed using <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products/635">MassLynx v4.2 software</a> (Waters).<h4>3. Results and discussion</h4><h5>3.4. Determination of the CAR and ACA enantiomers in food samples</h5>The developed method was applied to the analysis of the CAR and ACA enantiomers in food samples. CAR and ACA are known to be abundant in animal-based foods [23], thus, beef, pork, chicken, and milk were measured. The measured cuts of meat were the shank for beef, thigh for pork, and thigh for chicken in this study, and these parts are commonly used in commercially-available ground meats. Fermented foods are reported to contain relatively high levels of d-amino acids, and some of them are considered to be produced by bacteria during the fermentation process [24]. To investigate the production of CAR and ACA by bacteria, three fermented foods made from soy beans (miso, soy sauce, and Hama-natto) were analyzed. Hama-natto is a traditional food from the Hamamatsu City area in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Steamed soybeans are fermented with koji mold, then salted and dried in the sun.The chromatograms of the beef and Hama-natto samples are shown in Fig. 4. l-CAR and l-ACA were clearly observed in both samples. The l-forms were also found in the other tested samples, and their quantified values are summarized in Table 4. Comparing the amounts of l-CAR in the meat samples, beef had the highest levels, followed by pork and chicken. The l-ACA levels were also the highest in beef, and chicken contained more than pork.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/J_Pharm_Biomed_Anal_Open_2026_100111_Volume_7_Fig_4_Determination_of_the_CAR_and_ACA_enantiomers_in_beef_56d92bf289.jpg" alt="J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. Open., 2026, 100111, Volume 7: Fig. 4. Determination of the CAR and ACA enantiomers in beef and Hama-natto samples as their 3-NPH derivatives. The selected ion chromatogram of ACA is shown for 0–30 min, and that of CAR is shown for 30–60 min." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_J_Pharm_Biomed_Anal_Open_2026_100111_Volume_7_Fig_4_Determination_of_the_CAR_and_ACA_enantiomers_in_beef_56d92bf289.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="2247" height="542"><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/J_Pharm_Biomed_Anal_Open_2026_100111_Volume_7_Table_4_Amounts_of_l_CAR_and_l_ACA_in_the_food_samples_1c2411fe51.jpg" alt="J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. Open., 2026, 100111, Volume 7: Table 4. Amounts of l-CAR and l-ACA in the food samples." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_J_Pharm_Biomed_Anal_Open_2026_100111_Volume_7_Table_4_Amounts_of_l_CAR_and_l_ACA_in_the_food_samples_1c2411fe51.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="981" height="447"><h5>3.5. Confirmation of D-CAR in the Hama-natto sample</h5>To confirm the presence of d-CAR in the Hama-natto, four approaches were conducted; i.e., remeasurement of the fraction, detection with a different SRM transition, separation under different LC conditions and use of high-resolution MS. The fraction was placed in a 1.5 mL tube for three min before the MS to purify the d-CAR. The solution (total 750 µL) was dried and dissolved in 50 µL of the mobile phase. The chromatogram obtained by the remeasurement is shown in Fig. 5A, and the result detected by a different SRM transition (297.1 &gt; 102.1) is in Fig. 5B. The peak of d-CAR was clearly observed in both measurements, and the peak shapes were similar. However, the amount of d-CAR was under the LLOQ and could not be quantified. As shown in Fig. 5C, d-CAR was also detected using the different LC conditions described in Section 2.6, suggesting that the peak was definitely derived from the d-CAR. A high-resolution MS analysis detected a molecule with m/z 297.155, which closely matched with the exact mass of 3-NPH-CAR (m/z 297.156). The extracted ion chromatogram of that molecule is shown in Fig. 5D, and the d-CAR peak was clearly observed. These results demonstrated that trace amounts of d-CAR were present in the Hama-natto sample. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to find natural d-CAR in foods. One possible origin of this d-CAR is a production by bacteria including koji mold. Some bacteria are known to produce d-amino acids for cell wall formation [32]. The bacteria capable of producing d-CAR may exist and be involved in the fermentation of Hama-natto. Since the l-CAR and l-ACA concentrations in the other fermented foods were lower than that in Hama-natto, there is a possibility to also detect the d-forms from other foods by the improvement of the extraction process. Further research using various food samples is expected.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/J_Pharm_Biomed_Anal_Open_2026_100111_Volume_7_Fig_5_Chromatograms_of_the_3_NPH_d_CAR_fractions_2c9fbf4df7.jpg" alt="J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. Open., 2026, 100111, Volume 7: Fig. 5. Chromatograms of the 3-NPH-d-CAR fractions analyzed by the different analytical methods. The SRM transitions were 297.1 &gt; 102.1 (A) and 145.1 (B). The fraction was analyzed by LC-MS/MS under the different conditions (C) and LC-TOF-MS (D). The detailed analytical conditions are described in Section 2.6." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_J_Pharm_Biomed_Anal_Open_2026_100111_Volume_7_Fig_5_Chromatograms_of_the_3_NPH_d_CAR_fractions_2c9fbf4df7.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="2663" height="1199"><h4>4. Conclusion</h4>In the present study, a chiral LC-MS/MS method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of the CAR and ACA enantiomers in food samples. The derivatization with 3-NPH extended the retention time and improved the enantiomeric separations especially for CAR. The validated method was successfully applied to the analysis of meat, milk, and soybean fermented food samples, and trace amounts of d-CAR were discovered in Hama-natto. The present method is able to distinguish enantiomers in various samples and can contribute to clarifying the origin of d-CAR in food samples and searching/developing for new functional food products.</div></div></div></div></div>

Development of a chiral liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for simultaneous determination of carnitine and acetylcarnitine enantiomers in food samples

When NIST26 processes LC-MS/MS data in the Chromatogram Window, the final list of compound identifications is only one part of the story. Behind the results displayed in the software lies an entire group of intermediate files containing chromatographic traces, extracted MS/MS spectra, search results, isotope information, peak models and associations between chromatographic features and spectra. In a recent <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/pdf/identifications_raw_files_28359b66de.pdf">handout</a>, James Little of Mass Spec Interpretation Services examined what these files represent, how they relate to the new XIC-centric processing workflow in NIST26, and what additional information they may offer to analysts. identifications-raw-filesThe starting point is the Identifications folder created when an LC-MS/MS file is processed in the NIST26 Chromatogram Window. Rather than producing a single result file, the software generates a group of intermediate outputs associated with MS/MS deconvolution and library searching. These data are subsequently used to construct the information formally presented in the Chromatogram Window. The handout also explores whether some of these outputs could have value beyond the immediate identification workflow, for example as inputs for multivariate analysis or sample comparison. identifications-raw-files<h4>An XIC-centric approach to LC-MS/MS processing</h4>The workflow described in the presentation is built around extracted ion chromatograms (XICs). Instead of treating every MS/MS spectrum as an isolated identification event, NIST26 relates spectral information back to chromatographic behavior.The workflow first extracts chromatographic information from MS1 data, groups spectra according to retention time, associates MS/MS spectra with XIC peaks and then uses this information to validate or refine identifications. The diagrams on pages 8–15 of the handout illustrate this as a multistep process rather than a simple “MS/MS spectrum → library match → identification” sequence. identifications-raw-filesThis distinction is important because the chromatographic dimension provides additional evidence. A candidate identification can be evaluated not only from its MS/MS library match, but also according to whether the associated precursor behaves consistently in the chromatogram, whether its isotopic pattern makes sense and whether the MS/MS spectrum is correctly linked to the relevant chromatographic peak.<h4>Parallel processing generates multiple intermediate files</h4>One reason the Identifications folder contains so many files is that NIST26 divides the raw mzML dataset into multiple chunks for parallel processing. Each chunk generates its own intermediate outputs.The presentation describes several important file types. The .tic files contain total ion chromatogram information based on MS1 intensity versus retention time and are used for processes such as peak detection, retention-time alignment and XIC windowing. The .mgf files contain peak-picked MS/MS spectra in Mascot Generic Format and serve as inputs for library searching. The .tsv files contain tabulated search results, including candidate identifications and associated scores and precursor information. identifications-raw-filesThese intermediate files therefore correspond to different levels of the processing workflow: chromatographic information from MS1, spectral information from MS2, library-search results and the subsequent cross-validation of these layers.<h4>From thousands of spectra to the final reported identifications</h4>The handout gives a useful example of how strongly the dataset can be reduced during processing.In the example discussed, the original mzML file contained 3,380 spectra, which were divided into four processing chunks. From these data, 216 tandem MS/MS spectra were extracted for library searching. Ultimately, 158 MS2 searches survived into the final displayed or reportable results. According to James Little's note, processing those 158 spectra took approximately 11 seconds. identifications-raw-filesThis illustrates that the final result table represents only a selected subset of the spectral information originally present in the file. The intermediate outputs preserve information about how that subset was generated.<h4>What is inside the “check” files?</h4>A central point of the presentation is that the files informally referred to as “check” files are not simply temporary clutter. Conceptually, they form an intermediate evidence layer between the original MS/MS library search and the final identification.According to the workflow shown in the handout, these files may contain XIC traces for individual precursor ions, isotope traces, peak models, retention-time associations, in-source ion relationships and grouping information describing which MS/MS spectra belong to which chromatographic peaks. identifications-raw-filesThe workflow can therefore use chromatographic evidence to confirm or reject candidate identifications, refine precursor assignments and distinguish useful MS/MS spectra from background signals. The presentation contrasts this with a more traditional workflow in which an MS/MS library match might effectively represent the end of the identification process. In the NIST26 XIC-centric approach, the sequence becomes closer to MS/MS search → identification candidate → XIC validation → refinement and re-ranking. identifications-raw-files<h4>Chromatographic information adds another layer of confidence</h4>The practical value of this additional processing lies in combining information that would otherwise be considered separately.An MS/MS spectrum may produce a convincing library match, but NIST26 can additionally examine whether the precursor generates a coherent chromatographic peak, whether the expected isotopic signals appear together and whether the retention-time relationships are consistent. The internal datasets can also help track in-source fragments, which could otherwise be interpreted as independent compounds.The final slide of the handout summarizes these files as the core evidence layer of the new NIST approach, containing chromatographic information, isotope behavior, retention-time consistency and in-source relationships. According to the presentation, these data help correct precursor assignments, recognize in-source fragments and improve overall MS/MS identification confidence. identifications-raw-files<h4>Can the outputs be used beyond compound identification?</h4>Another interesting question raised in the presentation is whether the information generated during NIST26 processing could be reused for other data-analysis tasks.The .tsv output generally contains one row per detected chromatographic feature and may include retention time, precursor m/z, peak area or intensity, library-match score, compound name, molecular formula and adduct information where available. identifications-raw-filesThe handout suggests that this type of tabular output could provide a useful starting point for building a feature matrix for downstream analyses such as:<ul><li>principal component analysis (PCA),</li><li>hierarchical clustering,</li><li>comparison of “good” and “bad” samples,</li><li>outlier detection,</li><li>and marker discovery. identifications-raw-files</li></ul>Importantly, this part of the handout is presented as an exploration of possible utility rather than as a formally demonstrated NIST26 workflow. James Little notes that ChatGPT was used to examine the relationships among the generated files and consider how they might potentially be used. identifications-raw-files<h4>Why does NIST26 create so many files?</h4>The large number of intermediate files is ultimately a consequence of two characteristics of the processing strategy: parallelization and multi-level analysis.The raw data are split into several chunks to accelerate computation, while separate data products are generated for MS1 chromatographic processing, MS2 spectral searching and subsequent cross-validation. The workflow therefore preserves intermediate evidence at several stages rather than collapsing everything immediately into a single final result table.The result is a folder that can initially appear unnecessarily complex, but which reflects the architecture of the analysis itself. As emphasized in the handout, the intermediate files are not simply processing leftovers; they document how chromatographic and mass-spectral information was combined to arrive at the final identification. identifications-raw-files<h4>More than a library search</h4>The main message of the presentation is that the new NIST26 LC-MS/MS workflow goes beyond conventional spectrum-to-library matching. By incorporating XIC behavior, isotope information, peak relationships, retention-time consistency and MS/MS evidence, the software can use multiple independent pieces of information to evaluate an identification.For analysts, understanding what is stored in the Identifications folder provides a clearer picture of how the final results are generated. It also opens the possibility of inspecting intermediate processing steps when troubleshooting questionable identifications and, potentially, reusing some of the tabulated feature-level outputs for broader sample-comparison workflows.The growing importance of these intermediate datasets also reflects a wider shift in LC-MS/MS analysis: confident identification increasingly depends not on a single score or spectrum, but on the combined interpretation of chromatographic, spectral and contextual evidence.

Identifications Folder: Raw Files Created in MS/MS NIST26

At UC San Diego, researchers are using patient-derived brain organoids and spaceflight to explore whether aging-associated biology can be accelerated in orbit. With advanced proteomics enabled by the Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Astral Mass Spectrometer (MS), the team is gaining deeper insight into complex brain biology and new possibilities for studying neurodegenerative disease.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Neuroscience_Takes_Flight_How_Collaboration_Spaceflight_and_Orbitrap_Astral_MS_Are_Opening_a_New_Window_into_Brain_Aging_6b56e04145.webp" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific: Neuroscience Takes Flight: How Collaboration, Spaceflight, and Orbitrap Astral MS Are Opening a New Window into Brain Aging" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Neuroscience_Takes_Flight_How_Collaboration_Spaceflight_and_Orbitrap_Astral_MS_Are_Opening_a_New_Window_into_Brain_Aging_6b56e04145.webp 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="512"><h3>Introduction</h3>Neurodegenerative diseases remain among the most difficult conditions to study. Researchers cannot easily or safely biopsy living brain tissue, and even sophisticated disease models can take years to reveal meaningful biological change. At UC San Diego, Drs. Aline Martins and Alysson Muotri are taking a different approach: creating patient-derived brain organoids from skin cells and sending them to space to explore whether low Earth orbit can accelerate aging-associated biology. Preliminary data suggest that 30 days in space may compress roughly 10 years of aging biology into a much shorter experimental window, opening the door to a faster path for understanding neurodegeneration and evaluating new therapeutic ideas.<h3>A study design built around biology</h3>The real power of this work begins with the study design. Rather than relying on generalized models, the researchers begin with skin cells from patients and generate 3D mini-brain organoids that can model diseases such as Alzheimer’s while preserving critical patient context. That gives the team a more human-relevant system for studying how aging and disease unfold over time. Spaceflight adds a second dimension: a research environment that is exceptionally difficult to reproduce on Earth, but one that may help reveal the molecular and cellular drivers of neurodegeneration faster than conventional studies allow. The Integrated Space Stem Cell Orbital Research (ISSCOR) Center at UC San Diego have begun to explore this broader approach to study how space-related stressors influence brain aging and cognitive decline, with potential relevance to diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Once those organoids return to Earth, the next challenge is extracting as much insight as possible from every sample.<h3>Enabling deeper insight from limited samples</h3>Brain organoids are inherently heterogeneous, with multiple cell subtypes that may respond differently to aging and environmental stress.To extract deeper biological insight from the organoid samples, the researchers describe the<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products/836"> Orbitrap Astral MS </a>as central to their investigation. They highlight that the high sensitivity required for single-cell proteomics is essential for revealing how the space environment affects distinct cell populations and the Orbitrap Astral MS helps unlock deeper biological insight.That distinction is important: the value of the Orbitrap Astral MS analytical workflow is not simply generating more data but importantly helping the team resolve more of the biology within a complex model.<h3>How Orbitrap Astral MS helps push biology further</h3>At Thermo Fisher Scientific, we work alongside researchers pursuing bold scientific questions by developing technologies that help them see deeper into complex biology.Aline describes Orbitrap Astral MS as a major advance for the sensitivity and resolution this research requires. Its synchronized data acquisition capabilities and parallel ion processing across dual high-resolution accurate-mass analyzers with maximized instrument utilization help deliver deeper coverage, higher sensitivity, faster throughput, and accurate, precise quantitation across demanding biological workflows.For studies like this one, those capabilities help researchers get more from limited sample material, uncover subtle disease-relevant changes, and translate an inventive experimental design into deeper biological insight, faster.<h3>Looking ahead</h3>The power of this research lies in the convergence of ideas. Patient-derived brain organoids offer a human-relevant model of disease. Spaceflight may serve as an aging accelerator. Advanced proteomics helps researchers understand what complex biological models are revealing with greater depth and clarity, while single-cell proteomics unlocks a view into cell-specific changes that can drive disease biology. Together, this approach could give scientists a faster and more informative way to study late-onset diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. This initiative between UC San Diego and Thermo Fisher Scientific shows how collaborations across the scientific community can open new doors in neuroscience and accelerate discovery in ways that matter. As researchers continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, studies like this one point to a future where deeper biological insight can be reached faster and with greater potential to improve human health.<h3>Learn more</h3><ul><li>Listen to the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://corporate.thermofisher.com/us/en/index/newsroom/Our-stories/Brains-in-space.html">interview with Dr. Aline Martins</a> for more on the scientific vision behind this research and its implications for brain aging and neurodegenerative disease.</li><li>Learn more about <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/content/lifetech/global/en/home/industrial/mass-spectrometry/proteomics-mass-spectrometry/single-cell-proteomics.html">Thermo Fisher Scientific single-cell proteomics solutions</a> and how they help researchers gain deeper insight from limited and complex samples.</li><li>Explore the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products/836">Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Astral MS</a> and see how it helps researchers achieve deeper biological insight with faster throughput, higher sensitivity, and accurate, precise quantitation across advanced workflows.</li></ul><blockquote>Visit us on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/72003132/admin/dashboard/">LinkedIn:</a>&nbsp;#BrainOrganoids #SpaceBiology #Neurodegeneration #OrbitrapAstralMS</blockquote>

Neuroscience Takes Flight: How Collaboration, Spaceflight, and Orbitrap Astral MS Are Opening a New Window into Brain Aging

Article

Product

Academy

Video

Food

Scientific article

Science and research

Software

A unique company dedicated to serving science helping our customers drive productivity and accelerate results. Through our premier brands – Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific and Unity Lab Services.

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Everything from the world of analytical chemistry in one place. We connect people in solving their problems. At Labrulez you will find all the necessary information easily, quickly and clearly. Stop searching and start finding.

LabRulez

My main interest is the identification of organic compounds by mass spectrometry in organic mixtures.

James Little/Mass Spec Interpretation Services

Separation Science

Metrohm

Watch this webinar to learn more about fast, simple, and sensitive electrochemical biosensing using screen-printed electrodes.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Susana Campuzano, PhD (Asst. Professor, Universidad Complutense de Madrid)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Laura Fernández Llano, PhD (Product Manager, Dropsens)
</blockquote>

Metrohm: Biosensing with screen-printed electrodes

Biosensing with screen-printed electrodes

Learn more about fast, simple, and sensitive electrochemical biosensing using screen-printed electrodes.

Watch this webinar to learn more about common non-destructive electrochemical corrosion techniques.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Julia van Drunen, PhD (Area Manager, Metrohm Autolab B.V.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Luis F. Garfias, PhD (Consultant, Enviromental and Corrosion Testing of Materials, LLC)
</blockquote>

Metrohm: Corrosion Tests: Non-destructive methods

Corrosion Tests: Non-destructive methods

Learn more about common non-destructive electrochemical corrosion techniques.

In this webinar Dr Julia van Drunen introduces electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as a valuable tool for the analysis of battery materials, components, and fuel cells.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Julia van Drunen, PhD (Area Sales and Marketing Manager, Metrohm Autolab)
</blockquote>

Metrohm: EIS Data For Battery Materials R&D

EIS Data For Battery Materials R&D

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as a valuable tool for the analysis of battery materials, components, and fuel cells.

Titration and near-infrared spectroscopy in perfect synergy. Learn how you can monitor polymer production processes effectively.

NIRS and titration

Learn how you can monitor polymer production processes effectively.

This webinar hosted by Select Science together with Metrohm shows the possibilities of ion chromatography systems that are optimized for multiple applications.

Metrohm: Ion chromatography for multiple applications

Ion chromatography for multiple applications

Possibilities of ion chromatography systems that are optimized for multiple applications.

Learn in this webinar how automatic calibration in ion chromatography can help you save time and gain reliability.

Metrohm: Automatic calibration in ion chromatography

Automatic calibration in ion chromatography

Learn in this webinar how automatic calibration in ion chromatography can help you save time and gain reliability.

Learn how you can determine glyphosate and its primary metabolite AMPA in drinking water by ion chromatography in a straightforward manner.

Metrohm: Glyphosate and AMPA analysis by ion chromatography

Glyphosate and AMPA analysis by ion chromatography

Learn how you can determine glyphosate and its primary metabolite AMPA in drinking water by ion chromatography in a straightforward manner.

Learn more about KF titration and the oven technique, the choice of a suitable reagent, and the difference between volumetric and coulometric titration.

Metrohm: Karl Fischer titration: Fundamentals

Karl Fischer titration: Fundamentals

Learn more about KF titration and the oven technique, the choice of a suitable reagent, and the difference between volumetric and coulometric titration.

Metrohm: Karl Fischer titration: Troubleshooting

Karl Fischer titration: Troubleshooting

For many years/decades, Karl Fischer (KF) titration and Hydranal™ reagents have been the solution of choice for measuring water content in all types of substances.
While modern KF titration is safe and easy to use, there are still some pitfalls when it comes to handling and maintenance that even experienced users may not be aware of.
By viewing this presentation you will learn...
<ul>
<li>what the correct combinations of instrument types and reagents are for KF titration and what will happen if they are not compatible
</li>
<li>how to perform titer determinations and system checks with different types of water standards
</li>
<li>how to calculate sample sizes
</li>
<li>how to select the optimal temperature for heating the sample in a KF oven
</li>
<li>how to protect your system against ambient moisture
</li>
<li>how to properly assemble, disassemble, clean, and store the titration equipment
</li>
</ul>
After viewing this presentation, you will know how to perform accurate Karl Fischer titrations, how to properly use and store your reagents, and how to use and maintain your titration equipment correctly.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Agnieszka Kossakowska (Hydranal Marketing Specialist, Honeywell Research Chemicals)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Michael Margreth (Senior Product Specialist Titration, Metrohm International Headquarters, Switzerland)
</blockquote>

Separation Science: Everything You Need to Know About Karl Fischer Titration

Everything You Need to Know About Karl Fischer Titration

How to perform accurate Karl Fischer titrations, how to properly use and store your reagents, and how to use and maintain your titration equipment correctly.

Everything You Need to Know About Karl Fischer Titration

Karl Fischer titration: Troubleshooting

Karl Fischer titration: Fundamentals

Glyphosate and AMPA analysis by ion chromatography

Automatic calibration in ion chromatography

Ion chromatography for multiple applications

NIRS and titration

EIS Data For Battery Materials R&D

Corrosion Tests: Non-destructive methods

Biosensing with screen-printed electrodes

Related content

Neuroscience Takes Flight: How Collaboration, Spaceflight, and Orbitrap Astral MS Are Opening a New Window into Brain Aging

Identifications Folder: Raw Files Created in MS/MS NIST26

Development of a chiral liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for simultaneous determination of carnitine and acetylcarnitine enantiomers in food samples