This document relates to methods for detecting and quantifying heavy and light chains of immunoglobulin using mass spectrometry techniques.

A method for T-cell epitope prediction where quantitative scores of stability in the binding between peptides and MHC molecules are integrated into the derivation of the likelihood that a peptide of defined amino acid sequence constitutes a T-cell epitope. Preferably, stability data are obtained an MS-based method for identification of MHC binding peptides, where the binding capability is quantitatively assessed to allow distinction between stably binding peptides and peptides that are unlikely to be presented to T-cells. The method includes a step of time-course or thermostability testing of naturally processed peptides bound to MHC. Also disclosed are methods for preparation of personalized immunogenic compositions, methods of therapeutic treatment of malignancies, and a computer system that implements the T-cell epitope prediction method.

This disclosure relates to methods of measuring copper concentrations in biological samples. More particularly, this disclosure relates to methods of measuring non-ceruloplasmin-bound copper concentrations and/or labile-bound copper concentrations in biological samples. Such methods are particularly useful in management and treatment of metabolism-associated diseases or disorders.

In some embodiments, a mass spectrometry tag may comprise a linker region, a mass balance region, and a reporter region. The mass spectrometry tag may be configured to fragment in a mass spectrometer via an energy dependent process to produce multiple reporter molecules. For example, the reporter region of the tag may be configured to produce at least two reporter molecules via fragmentation. In some embodiments, one or more regions of the tag may comprise at least one heavy isotope. In some such embodiments, the ability to fragment into multiple reporter molecules as well as the placement and/or number of heavy isotope(s) allows the mass spectrometry tag to be distinguished from other similar mass spectrometry tags. In some such embodiments, the ability to distinguish between tags having the same or substantially similar total mass to charge ratio and reporter region mass may allow the system to have a greater multiplexing capacity than conventional systems.

The present invention provides a method for estimating the molecular complexity of a sample, for example to determine whether biotic or synthetic components are present in the sample. The method comprises the steps of (a) performing one of MS/MS, NMR or IR on a sample; (b) determining the unique peaks in the resulting spectrum; and (c) calculating the molecular assembly index of the sample based on the number of unique peaks in the spectrum.

Embodiments of the present disclosure enable rapid detection of viruses present in ambient air flows. A fan disposed in an ambient environment may be activated to direct an air flow to an ambient inlet of an analysis device. As an ambient air flow enters an inlet of the analysis device, a heating element may introduce heat into the air flow, causing VOCs to be released. A mass spectrometer-based analysis device may be used to analyze the VOCs to detect the presence of one or more target VOCs that indicate the presence of a virus or other harmful molecule in the ambient air flow.

The invention relates to a novel method for diagnosing the sulfur nutrition state of a plant by measuring the content of certain mineral nutrients in the leaves.

The invention relates to methods, systems and kits for determining therapeutic effectiveness or toxicity of cancer-treating compounds that incorporate into or bind to DNA. In particular, the invention is directed to methods, systems and kits for predicting a patient's treatment outcome after administration of a microdose of therapeutic composition to the patient. The methods provides physicians with a diagnostic tool to segregate cancer patients into differential populations that have a higher or lower chance of responding to a particular therapeutic treatment.

A method of mass and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed that includes ionising analyte from a sample so as to generate a plurality of ions, separating precursor ions from first fragment and/or other ions of the plurality of ions, fragmenting or reacting at least some of the precursor ions using a fragmentation, reaction or collision device so as to generate second fragment ions, and then analysing at least some ions that emerge from the fragmentation, reaction or collision device. The sample is classified and/or identified based on the analysis of the second fragment ions.

Disclosed are methods and systems using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the detection and/or analysis of progesterone metabolites, such as progesterone sulfates, in biological samples. In some cases, the amount of progesterone sulfate may be used to distinguish whether gestational pruritus of the skin is an early symptom of (ICP) or due to benign pruritus gravidarum.