Quantitative Bioanalytical Services

Method development is the creative process of optimizing extraction and chromatography for a specific analyte. Validation is the formal "stress test" that proves the method meets regulatory standards (FDA/EMA) for accuracy, precision, and stability.

We handle common matrices like plasma, serum, and urine, as well as complex tissues (liver, brain, eyes) and "rare" matrices like cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or tears.

Untargeted metabolomics scans for everything to find patterns. Targeted metabolomics focuses on a specific, pre-defined list of metabolites, providing absolute quantification (exact concentrations) with much higher sensitivity.

The Triple Quadrupole (QqQ) remains the "gold standard" for small molecule PK studies due to its high duty cycle in Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) mode. It typically offers superior dynamic range and sensitivity for routine, high-throughput targeted analysis. Choose QqQ when you have a defined target and need the lowest possible Lower Limit of Quantitation (LLOQ).

For large peptides that fragment poorly, a Triple Quad may lose sensitivity because the signal is spread across many fragments. HRMS allows for Selected Ion Monitoring or extraction of the precursor ion with a very narrow mass window, providing high selectivity without the signal loss associated with fragmentation.

Unlike Triple Quads, HRMS (e.g., Orbitrap) provides "accurate mass" (measuring to the 4th decimal place). This allows you to:

• Resolve interferences: Distinguish your analyte from background matrix noise with the same nominal mass.
• Quan/Qual Workflows: Simultaneously quantify a drug while identifying its metabolites in a single injection.
• Large Molecule Intact Analysis: Better handle the complex charge states of intact proteins or oligonucleotides.

Choosing between these two ligand-binding assays often depends on the required sensitivity of the study and the availability of sample volume.

MSD (Electrochemiluminescence)

• Pros: Offers a significantly wider dynamic range (3–4 logs), which reduces the need for multiple sample dilutions. It is highly sensitive and allows for "multiplexing" (measuring up to 10 analytes in a single well). Its carbon electrode surfaces also provide higher binding capacity and better tolerance for "noisy" matrices like serum or tissue homogenates.
• Cons: Higher cost per plate and the requirement for specialized, proprietary reagents and equipment. Additionally, the selection of commercially available "ready-to-use" kits is more limited compared to ELISAs.

ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay)

• Pros: The industry standard with a long regulatory history and is highly cost-effective for single-analyte testing. Wide range of available targets and many available kits.
• Cons: Narrow dynamic range (often only 1–2 logs), which frequently leads to samples falling "out of range" and requiring re-analysis. It also requires larger sample volumes—a major disadvantage when working with limited samples, such as mouse serum—and lacks the multiplexing capabilities of MSD.