The exemplary embodiments may provide a collective insulating sleeve for a plurality of chromatography columns or may provide separate insulating sleeve for each of the chromatography columns in a plurality. As a result, column ovens are not needed, and pre-heaters may not be required for each chromatography column in some exemplary embodiments. Thus, parallel column arrangements in the exemplary embodiments may be more compact than conventional arrangements.

The present invention makes it possible to realize an analysis apparatus having a plurality of liquid chromatographs capable of judging separation performance and the like at the right timing and improving analysis performance early. Analysis starts and a mixed sample is prepared by adding a non-retaining ingredient to a measurement object sample and is introduced into an analysis flow path (S401 to S404). The mixed sample is separated into components by a separation column, the components are outputted as chromatogram data by a detector, and the analysis finishes (S404 to S406). Retention time and peak information are acquired from the chromatogram outputted from the detector, whether or not a measurement result is within an allowable range is judged, and the process shifts to next analysis when the measurement result is within the allowable range (S407 to S409). An amount of transit time t.sub.0 of a non-retaining ingredient shifted from an allowable value is confirmed when separation performance is outside an allowable range at step S408 and a separation column replacement instruction is outputted to an output unit when fluctuation of the transit time t.sub.0 is within an allowable range (S410, S411). A device maintenance instruction is outputted to the output unit when the fluctuation is outside the allowable range at step S410 (S412).

Techniques and apparatus for an analytical data acquisition process are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may include logic to submit a sample list for acquisition via an instrument system, the sample list comprising a plurality of injections for a mass analysis system, generate a queue element in a queue for the sample list, the queue element representing the plurality of injections of the sample list to be performed by the at least one instrument system, the queue comprising a plurality of queue elements submitted by a plurality of users and to indicate a progress of each of the plurality of queue elements, and perform a control function on at least one of the plurality of queue elements responsive to user input, the control function comprising one of stopping, starting, or editing the at least one of the plurality of queue element. Other embodiments are described.

A method for characterizing a target peptide through a detection approach such as mass spectrometry is provided, including: introducing at least one guard molecule to mix with the target peptide; and applying the detection approach for the characterization of the target peptide. Each guard molecule is configured to have similar characteristics as the target peptide, yet is still distinguishable therefrom by the detection approach, such as having a mass spectrometry-distinguishable different M/z value compared with the target peptide. The method can be used to characterize a neoantigen peptide through mass spectrometry, upstream of which the method can further include steps for tissue sample preparation, HLA molecules enrichment, elution, clean-up, and purification. Some or all of these steps can be configured to be executed in a substantially automatic manner with little or no manual intervention. A system for implementing the neoantigen analysis method is further provided.

A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising: a) providing temporally separated precursor ions; b) mass analyzing separated precursor ions, and/or product ions derived therefrom, during a plurality of sequential acquisition periods, wherein the value of an operational parameter of the spectrometer is varied during the different acquisition periods; c) storing the spectral data obtained in each acquisition period along with its respective value of the operational parameter; d) interrogating the stored spectral data and determining which of the spectral data for a precursor ion or product ions meets a predetermined criterion, and determining the value of the operational parameter that provides this mass spectral data as a target operational parameter value; and e) mass analyzing again the precursor or product ions whilst the operational parameter is set to the target operational parameter value.

Disclosed are methods and systems using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS and 2D-LC-MS/MS) for the proteomic analysis of genotypes. In certain embodiments, samples used in the analysis comprise dried bodily fluids.

Described herein are systems and methods used for carrying out a two-dimensional liquid chromatography process using size exclusion chromatography as a first dimension.

Provided herein are methods of obtaining and applying measurements of metabolites to quantifying maternal risk of having a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with high specificity and sensitivity.

A method of performing tandem mass spectrometry includes supplying a sample to a chromatography column, directing components included in the sample and eluting from the chromatography column to a mass spectrometer, acquiring a series of mass spectra including intensity values of ions produced from the components as a function of m/z of the ions, extracting, from the series of mass spectra, a plurality of detection points representing intensity as a function of time for a selected m/z, estimating, based on the plurality of detection points extracted from the series of mass spectra, a relative position of a selected detection point included in the plurality of detection points, and performing, at the mass spectrometer and based on the estimated relative position, a dependent acquisition for the selected m/z. The relative position of the selected detection point represents a position of the selected detection point relative to an expected reference point.

The present disclosure discusses a method of separating a sample (e.g., B vitamins and their vitamers) including coating a flow path of a chromatographic system; injecting the sample into the chromatographic system; flowing the sample through the chromatographic system; separating the sample; and analyzing the separated sample. In some examples, the coating applied to the surfaces defining the flow path is non-binding with respect to the sample—and the separated sample. Consequently, the sample does not bind to the low-binding surface of the coating (e.g., organosilica coating) of the flow path. The applied coating provides an inert barrier that is beneficial for B vitamin analysis, including improved peak shape (less tailing and narrower peak), high sensitivity, and no carry-over.