Small molecule biomarkers, including metabolic signatures, lipids, and steroids, are critical for understanding disease biology and advancing clinical and translational research. However, accurate quantitation of these analytes remains challenging due to their low abundance and the complexity of biological matrices such as plasma, serum, and tissue. SCIEX LC-MS/MS solutions deliver the analytical sensitivity, selectivity, and robustness required to address complex biomarker analysis challenges. Leveraging advanced triple quadrupole and QTRAP technologies, researchers can achieve highly sensitive, reproducible, and multiplexed quantitation across a broad range of small molecule biomarker classes. These capabilities provide the molecular insight needed to uncover novel biomarkers, characterize biological pathways, and support translational research. Integrated workflows spanning sample preparation, data acquisition, and analysis help streamline method development, improve laboratory productivity, and generate high-quality, reproducible data with confidence. By accelerating biomarker discovery, validation, and translation, researchers can move from scientific question to actionable insight faster.
Clinical mass spectrometry solutions for small molecule biomarkers
Integrated LC-MS/MS workflows for improving small molecule biomarkers in clinical research
Homocysteine in human urine
Workflow
Homocysteine in human urine
Suited for:
- Sub-ng/mL quantitation with excellent accuracy using a simple protein precipitation workflow
- LOQ 0.25 ng/mL, linear range 0.25-10 ng/mL, r² 0.991-0.998
- Chromatographic separation was performed using an ExionAD LC system with a Phenomenex Luna Omega PS C18 column
The QTRAP 6500+ system offers revolutionary sensitivity, speed, and performance for your most challenging methods.
Vanillylmandelic acid in human urine
Workflow
Quantitative analysis of vanillylmandelic acid in human urine
Suited for:
- Sensitive quantitation in human urine using a simple dilution-based sample preparation workflow
- LOQ 0.025 µg/mL, linear range 0.025–70 µg/mL, r² 0.990
- Chromatographic separation was performed using an ExionAD LC system with a Phenomenex Synergi Polar-RP column
The QTRAP 6500+ system offers revolutionary sensitivity, speed, and performance for your most challenging methods.
High -throughput analysis of vanillylmandelic acid in human urine
Suited for:
- Analyzed using a simple 1000-fold dilution sample preparation workflow
- LOQ 0.05 μg/mL, linear range 0.05–70 μg/mL, r² 0.998
- Chromatographic separation was performed using an ExionAD LC system with a Phenomenex Synergi Polar-RP column
The QTRAP 4500 system offers reliable quantitation with 100x more full-scan sensitivity over basic triple quadrupoles in the same class.
Featured resources
-
Technical note
Quantitative analysis of vanillylmandelic acid in human urine
This technical note describes a simple dilution sample preparation method and LC-MS/MS analysis for vanillylmandelic acid in urine samples, achieving a 0.025 μg/mL limit of quantitation (LOQ). Using the QTRAP 6500+ system and 20 μL injection volume, the method demonstrated good quantitative performance in urine-matrix spiked calibration and quality control (QC) standards.
-
Technical note
High-throughput analysis of vanillylmandelic acid in human urine
In this technical note, an LC/MS-MS method was developed for the quantitation of vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) in human urine. Using the SCIEX QTRAP 4500 system and 20 μL injection volume, the in-sample equivalent limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.05 μg/mL (Figure 1) in the urine-spiked calibration standard.
Homovanillic acid in human urine
Workflow
Solution
Quantitative analysis of homovanillic acid in human urine
Suited for:
- LOQ 0.25 μg/mL, linear range 0.25–150 μg/mL, r² 0.989
- Accurate and precise quantitation across QC levels, with mean accuracy from 77.7% to 100% and precision <9.8% CV
- Simple 1000-fold dilution workflow with excellent peak shape and retention using a rapid 5-minute gradient
The QTRAP 6500+ system offers revolutionary sensitivity, speed, and performance for your most challenging methods.
Solution
High -throughput analysis of homovanillic acid in human urine
Suited for:
- LOQ 0.5 μg/mL, linear range 0.5–150 μg/mL, r² 0.992
- Accurate and precise quantitation across QC levels, with mean accuracy from 100% to 106% and precision <5% CV
- Simple 1000-fold dilution workflow with excellent peak shape and retention using a rapid 5-minute gradient
The QTRAP 4500 system offers reliable quantitation with 100x more full-scan sensitivity over basic triple quadrupoles in the same class.
Featured resources
-
Technical note
Sensitive, high-throughput LC-MS/MS analysis of homovanillic acid in human urine
This technical note demonstrated a simple 1000-fold dilution sample preparation and LC-MS/MS method for the analysis of homovanillic acid in urine samples.
-
Technical note
High-throughput LC-MS/MS analysis of homovanillic acid in human urine
This technical note describes a method for the LC-MS/MS analysis of homovanillic acid (HVA) in urine using a streamlined 1000-fold dilution sample preparation approach. Using the SCIEX QTRAP 4500 system the method achieved an in-sample limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.5 μg/mL in urine-spiked calibration standards.
Metanephrines and catecholamines in human plasma
Workflow
Comprehensive LC-MS/MS analysis of metanephrines and catecholamines in human plasma
Suited for:
- Simultaneous quantitation of 3 metanephrines and 3 catecholamines using an 8.1-minute gradient
- LOQs of 0.025-2.5 ng/mL, mean LOQ accuracy of 88.5%-108%, and mean precision of 2.4%-14% CV
- ExionAD LC system with a Phenomenex Luna C18(2) column (100 × 3.0 mm, 3.0 μm) and positive ESI detection
- Plasma samples prepared using solid-phase extraction (SPE) cleanup prior to LC-MS/MS analysis.
The QTRAP 4500 system offers reliable quantitation with 100x more full-scan sensitivity over basic triple quadrupoles in the same class.
Comparison of LC-MS/MS solutions
Small molecule biomarkers | Triple Quad 4500 system | QTRAP 4500 system | SCIEX 5500+ system | SCIEX 5500+ system (QTRAP ready) | Triple Quad 6500+ system | QTRAP 6500+ system | SCIEX 7500+ system | SCIEX 7500+ system (QTRAP ready) |
Amino acids | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Amino acids & acylcarnitines in DBS | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Homocysteine | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Homovanillic acid | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Metanephrines, urine | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Metanephrines, plasma | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Metanephrines in plasma (MRM) | x | x | x |