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Wen X, Liu C, Tovar K, Curran P, Richards M, Agrawal S, Johnstone R, Loy RE, Methot JL, Mansueto MS, Koglin M, Wildey MJ, Burton L, Covey TR, Bateman KP, Kavana M, McLaren DG. High-Throughput Covalent Modifier Screening with Acoustic Ejection Mass Spectrometry. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:19792-19799. [PMID: 38994607 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c02377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Interests in covalent drugs have grown in modern drug discovery as they could tackle challenging targets traditionally considered "undruggable". The identification of covalent binders to target proteins typically involves directly measuring protein covalent modifications using high-resolution mass spectrometry. With a continually expanding library of compounds, conventional mass spectrometry platforms such as LC-MS and SPE-MS have become limiting factors for high-throughput screening. Here, we introduce a prototype high-resolution acoustic ejection mass spectrometry (AEMS) system for the rapid screening of a covalent modifier library comprising ∼10,000 compounds against a 50 kDa-sized target protein─Werner syndrome helicase. The screening samples were arranged in a 1536-well format. The sample buffer containing high-concentration salts was directly analyzed without any cleanup steps, minimizing sample preparation efforts and ensuring protein stability. The entire AEMS analysis process could be completed within a mere 17 h. An automated data analysis tool facilitated batch processing of the sample data and quantitation of the formation of various covalent protein-ligand adducts. The screening results displayed a high degree of fidelity, with a Z' factor of 0.8 and a hit rate of 2.3%. The identified hits underwent orthogonal testing in a biochemical activity assay, revealing that 75% were functional antagonists of the target protein. Notably, a comparative analysis with LC-MS showcased the AEMS platform's low risk of false positives or false negatives. This innovative platform has enabled robust high-throughput covalent modifier screening, featuring a 10-fold increase in library size and a 10- to 100-fold increase in throughput when compared with similar reports in the existing literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujuan Wen
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Chang Liu
- SCIEX, Concord, Ontario L4K 4V8, Canada
| | - Kiersten Tovar
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Patrick Curran
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | | | - Sony Agrawal
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | | | - Ryan E Loy
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Joey L Methot
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | | | - Markus Koglin
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Mary Jo Wildey
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | | | | | | | - Michael Kavana
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
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2
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Knizner KT, Pu F, Sawicki JW, Radosevich AJ, Ugrin SA, Elsen NL, Williams JD, Muddiman DC. Detection of Noncovalent Protein-Ligand Complexes by IR-MALDESI-MS. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2024. [PMID: 38991134 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.4c00199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Native mass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful analytical technique to directly probe noncovalent protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions. However, not every MS platform can preserve proteins in their native conformation due to high energy deposition from the utilized ionization source. Most small molecules approved as drugs and in development interact with their targets through noncovalent interactions. Therefore, rapid methods to analyze noncovalent protein-ligand interactions are necessary for the early stages of the drug discovery pipeline. Herein, we describe a method for analyzing noncovalent protein-ligand complexes by IR-MALDESI-MS with analysis times of ∼13 s per sample. Carbonic anhydrase and the kinase domain of Bruton's tyrosine kinase are paired with known noncovalent binders to evaluate the effectiveness of native MS by IR-MALDESI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevan T Knizner
- FTMS Laboratory for Human Health Research, Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Fan Pu
- Discovery Research, AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - James W Sawicki
- Discovery Research, AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Andrew J Radosevich
- Discovery Research, AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Scott A Ugrin
- Discovery Research, AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Nathaniel L Elsen
- Discovery Research, AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Jon D Williams
- Discovery Research, AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - David C Muddiman
- FTMS Laboratory for Human Health Research, Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
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3
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Liu C, Zhang H. Data processing for high-throughput mass spectrometry in drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:815-825. [PMID: 38785418 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2354871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION High-throughput mass spectrometry that could deliver > 10 times faster sample readout speed than traditional LC-based platforms has emerged as a powerful analytical technique, enabling the rapid analysis of complex biological samples. This increased speed of MS data acquisition has brought a critical demand for automatic data processing capabilities that should match or surpass the speed of data acquisition. Those data processing capabilities should serve the different requirements of drug discovery workflows. AREAS COVERED This paper introduced the key steps of the automatic data processing workflows for high-throughput MS technologies. Specific examples and requirements are detailed for different drug discovery applications. EXPERT OPINION The demand for automatic data processing in high-throughput mass spectrometry is driven by the need to keep pace with the accelerated speed of data acquisition. The seamless integration of processing capabilities with LIMS, efficient data review mechanisms, and the exploration of future features such as real-time feedback, automatic method optimization, and AI model training is crucial for advancing the drug discovery field. As technology continues to evolve, the synergy between high-throughput mass spectrometry and intelligent data processing will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the future of high-throughput drug discovery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hui Zhang
- Iambic Therapeutics, San Diego, CA, USA
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4
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Williams JD, Pu F, Sawicki JW, Elsen NL. Ultra-high-throughput mass spectrometry in drug discovery: fundamentals and recent advances. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:291-301. [PMID: 38111363 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2293153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ultra-high-throughput mass spectrometry, uHT-MS, is a technology that utilizes ionization and sample delivery technologies optimized to enable sampling from well plates at > 1 sample per second. These technologies do not need a chromatographic separation step and can be utilized in a wide variety of assays to detect a broad range of analytes including small molecules, lipids, and proteins. AREAS COVERED This manuscript provides a brief historical review of high-throughput mass spectrometry and the recently developed technologies that have enabled uHT-MS. The report also provides examples and references on how uHT-MS has been used in biochemical and chemical assays, nuisance compound profiling, protein analysis and high throughput experimentation for chemical synthesis. EXPERT OPINION The fast analysis time provided by uHT-MS is transforming how biochemical and chemical assays are performed in drug discovery. The potential to associate phenotypic responses produced by 1000's of compound treatments with changes in endogenous metabolite and lipid signals is becoming feasible. With the augmentation of simple, fast, high-throughput sample preparation, the scope of uHT-MS usage will increase. However, it likely will not supplant LC-MS for analyses that require low detection limits from complex matrices or characterization of complex biotherapeutics such as antibody-drug conjugates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fan Pu
- Abbvie Discovery Research, North Chicago, IL, USA
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5
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Knizner KT, Eisenberg SM, Muddiman DC. Prototyping an ionization source for non-engineers. JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY : JMS 2024; 59:e4995. [PMID: 38129178 DOI: 10.1002/jms.4995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Novel mass spectrometry (MS) based analytical platforms have enabled scientists to detect and quantify molecules within biological and environmental samples more accurately. Novel MS instrumentation starts as a prototype and, after years of development, can become a commercial product to be used by the larger MS community. Without the initial prototype, many MS-based instruments today would not be produced. Additionally, biotechnology companies are the main drivers for research, development, and production of novel instruments, but the tools for prototyping instrumentation have never been more accessible. Here, we present a tutorial on prototyping instrumentation through the case study of developing the Next Generation IR-MALDESI source to show that an engineering degree is not required to design and construct a prototype instrument with modern hardware and software. We discuss the prototyping process, the necessary skills required for efficient prototyping, and information about common hardware and software used within initial prototypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevan T Knizner
- FTMS Laboratory for Human Health Research, Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Seth M Eisenberg
- FTMS Laboratory for Human Health Research, Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - David C Muddiman
- FTMS Laboratory for Human Health Research, Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
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6
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Punzalan C, Wang L, Bajrami B, Yao X. Measurement and utilization of the proteomic reactivity by mass spectrometry. MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS 2024; 43:166-192. [PMID: 36924435 DOI: 10.1002/mas.21837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Chemical proteomics, which involves studying the covalent modifications of proteins by small molecules, has significantly contributed to our understanding of protein function and has become an essential tool in drug discovery. Mass spectrometry (MS) is the primary method for identifying and quantifying protein-small molecule adducts. In this review, we discuss various methods for measuring proteomic reactivity using MS and covalent proteomics probes that engage through reactivity-driven and proximity-driven mechanisms. We highlight the applications of these methods and probes in live-cell measurements, drug target identification and validation, and characterizing protein-small molecule interactions. We conclude the review with current developments and future opportunities in the field, providing our perspectives on analytical considerations for MS-based analysis of the proteomic reactivity landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clodette Punzalan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
- AD Bio US, Takeda, Lexington, Massachusetts, 02421, USA
| | - Bekim Bajrami
- Chemical Biology & Proteomics, Biogen, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Xudong Yao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
- Institute for Systems Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
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7
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Robey MT, Utley D, Greer JB, Fellers RT, Kelleher NL, Durbin KR. Advancing Intact Protein Quantitation with Updated Deconvolution Routines. Anal Chem 2023; 95:14954-14962. [PMID: 37750863 PMCID: PMC10840078 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Analysis of intact proteins by mass spectrometry enables direct quantitation of the specific proteoforms present in a sample and is an increasingly important tool for biopharmaceutical and academic research. Interpreting and quantifying intact protein species from mass spectra typically involves many challenges including mass deconvolution and peak processing as well as determining optimal spectral averaging parameters and matching masses to theoretical proteoforms. Each of these steps can present informatic hurdles, as parameters often need to be tailored specifically to the data sets. To reduce intact mass deconvolution data analysis burdens, we built upon the widely used "sliding window" mass deconvolution technique with several additional concepts. First, we found that how spectra are averaged and the overlap in spectral windows can be tuned to favor either sensitivity or speed. A multiple window averaging approach was found to be the most effective way to increase mass detection and yielded a >2-fold increase in the number of masses detected. We also developed a targeted feature-finding routine that boosted sensitivity by >2-fold, decreased coefficient of variation across replicates by 50%, and increased the quality of mass elution profiles through 3-fold more detected time points. Lastly, we furthered existing approaches for annotating detected masses with potential proteoforms through spectral fitting for possible proteoform family modifications and network viewing. These proteoform annotation approaches ultimately produced a more accurate way of finding related, but previously unknown proteoforms from intact mass-only data. Together, these quantitation workflow improvements advance the information obtainable from intact protein mass spectrometry analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T Robey
- Proteinaceous, Inc., Evanston, Illinois 60201, United States
- Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Daisha Utley
- Proteinaceous, Inc., Evanston, Illinois 60201, United States
| | - Joseph B Greer
- Proteinaceous, Inc., Evanston, Illinois 60201, United States
- Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Ryan T Fellers
- Proteinaceous, Inc., Evanston, Illinois 60201, United States
- Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Neil L Kelleher
- Proteinaceous, Inc., Evanston, Illinois 60201, United States
- Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Kenneth R Durbin
- Proteinaceous, Inc., Evanston, Illinois 60201, United States
- Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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8
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Durbin KR, Robey MT, Voong LN, Fellers RT, Lutomski CA, El-Baba TJ, Robinson CV, Kelleher NL. ProSight Native: Defining Protein Complex Composition from Native Top-Down Mass Spectrometry Data. J Proteome Res 2023; 22:2660-2668. [PMID: 37436406 PMCID: PMC10407923 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Native mass spectrometry has recently moved alongside traditional structural biology techniques in its ability to provide clear insights into the composition of protein complexes. However, to date, limited software tools are available for the comprehensive analysis of native mass spectrometry data on protein complexes, particularly for experiments aimed at elucidating the composition of an intact protein complex. Here, we introduce ProSight Native as a start-to-finish informatics platform for analyzing native protein and protein complex data. Combining mass determination via spectral deconvolution with a top-down database search and stoichiometry calculations, ProSight Native can determine the complete composition of protein complexes. To demonstrate its features, we used ProSight Native to successfully determine the composition of the homotetrameric membrane complex Aquaporin Z. We also revisited previously published spectra and were able to decipher the composition of a heterodimer complex bound with two noncovalently associated ligands. In addition to determining complex composition, we developed new tools in the software for validating native mass spectrometry fragment ions and mapping top-down fragmentation data onto three-dimensional protein structures. Taken together, ProSight Native will reduce the informatics burden on the growing field of native mass spectrometry, enabling the technology to further its reach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lilien N. Voong
- Proteinaceous,
Inc., Evanston, Illinois 60201, United States
| | - Ryan T. Fellers
- Proteinaceous,
Inc., Evanston, Illinois 60201, United States
- Northwestern
University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Corinne A. Lutomski
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Rd. Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
- Kavli
Institute for NanoScience Discovery, Dorothy
Crowfoot Hodgkin Building University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, U.K.
| | - Tarick J. El-Baba
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Rd. Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
- Kavli
Institute for NanoScience Discovery, Dorothy
Crowfoot Hodgkin Building University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, U.K.
| | - Carol V. Robinson
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Rd. Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
- Kavli
Institute for NanoScience Discovery, Dorothy
Crowfoot Hodgkin Building University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, U.K.
| | - Neil L. Kelleher
- Proteinaceous,
Inc., Evanston, Illinois 60201, United States
- Northwestern
University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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9
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Liu C. High-throughput MS for intact protein analysis. Bioanalysis 2023; 15:1017-1019. [PMID: 37584366 DOI: 10.4155/bio-2023-0139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
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10
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Winter M, Simon RP, Häbe TT, Ries R, Wang Y, Kvaskoff D, Fernández-Montalván A, Luippold AH, Büttner FH, Reindl W. Label-free high-throughput screening via acoustic ejection mass spectrometry put into practice. SLAS DISCOVERY : ADVANCING LIFE SCIENCES R & D 2023; 28:240-246. [PMID: 37031752 DOI: 10.1016/j.slasd.2023.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Acoustic droplet ejection-open port interface-mass spectrometry (ADE-OPI-MS) is a novel label-free analytical technique, promising to become a versatile readout for high-throughput screening (HTS) applications. The recent introduction of ADE-OPI-MS devices to the laboratory equipment market, paired with their compatibility with laboratory automation platforms, should facilitate the adoption of this technology by a broader community. Towards this goal, instrument robustness in the context of HTS campaigns - where up to millions of samples in complex matrices are tested in a short time frame - represents a major challenge, which explains the absence of detailed literature reports on this subject. Here, we present the results of our first fully automated HTS campaign, based on the ADE-OPI-MS technology, aiming to identify inhibitors of a metabolic enzyme in a >1 million compound library. The report encompasses the assay development and validation steps, as well as the adaptation for HTS requirements, where refinement of the capillary cleaning concept was crucial for final success. Altogether, our study unequivocally demonstrates the applicability of the ADE-OPI-MS technology for HTS-based drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Winter
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riß, Germany.
| | - Roman P Simon
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riß, Germany.
| | - Tim T Häbe
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Robert Ries
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Yuting Wang
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - David Kvaskoff
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | | | - Andreas H Luippold
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Frank H Büttner
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Reindl
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
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11
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Talaty NN, Johnson RW, Sawicki J, Nacham O, Djuric SW. Recent Developments in Mass Spectrometry to Support Next-Generation Synthesis and Screening. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:711-718. [PMID: 37312853 PMCID: PMC10258828 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The complexity of new therapeutics continues to increase and the timeline for the discovery of these therapeutics continues to shrink. This creates demand for new analytical techniques to facilitate quicker discovery and development of novel drugs. Mass spectrometry is one of the most prolific analytical techniques that has been applied across the entire drug discovery pipeline. New mass spectrometers and the associated methods for sampling have been introduced at a rate that keeps pace with new chemistries, therapeutic types, and screening practices used by modern drug hunters. This microperspective covers application and implementation of new mass spectrometry workflows that enable current and future efforts in screening and synthesis for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nari N. Talaty
- Discovery
Platform Technologies, AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Robert W. Johnson
- Discovery
Platform Technologies, AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - James Sawicki
- Discovery
Platform Technologies, AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Omprakash Nacham
- Discovery
Platform Technologies, AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Stevan W. Djuric
- Discovery
Chemistry and Technology Consulting LLC, New Bern, North Carolina 28562, United States
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