Each hair sample is catalogued in a computer database system. Then, hair samples are stored in complete darkness at room temperature.
When we are ready to test the hair sample, we cut the strands into smaller pieces. Then we weigh the hair into glass tubes and incubate the hair in solvent to extract the drug. The processed sample is injected into a column and analyzed utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). LC-MS/MS separates, identifies, and quantifies each compound.
Here's a look at our equipment:
Sartorius Precision Balance
Hair samples are carefully weighed into glass test tubes on a precision balance. The balance has a built in anti static mechanism. Most of our hair assays need about 2 to 5 mg of hair.
Agilent Technologies 6495A Triple Quad LC/MS
Our Agilent Technologies 6495A LC/MS system coupled to a Agilent Technologies 1290 Infinity II UHPLC is a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The system is used for small molecule analysis utilizing Masshunter software.
Agilent Technologies 6495D Triple Quad LC/MS
Our Agilent Technologies 6495D LC/MS system coupled to a Agilent Technologies 1290 Infinity II UHPLC is our newest Agilent triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The system is used for small molecule analysis utilizing Masshunter software. The UHPLC is equipped with column switching and multi-wash autosampler. Our future assays will be developed on this machine.
Sciex 7500+ LC-MS/MS
Our Sciex 7500+ LC-MS/MS system coupled to a ExcionLC UHPLC is our newest Sciex triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with QTRAP. The system traps small molecules for analysis utilizing Sciex OS software. Our future assays will be developed on this machine.
Waters Quattro Ultima LC-MS/MS
The Waters Quattro Ultima LC-MS/MS system is connected with Shimadzu 10 Series Pumps and a Waters 717 Plus Autosampler. The system ionizes the samples at atmospheric pressure and delivers a digitized analysis. We use Masslynx software for data analysis.
Shimadzu Prominence HPLC-UV/FL
The Shimadzu Prominence HPLC-UV/FL system delivers highly sensitive, high-speed analyses. Researchers compare stock and working solutions through an automated injection and separation process. Compounds are detected by UV absorption or fluorescence emission. We use LabSolutions software for data analysis.