What are some applications of tandem mass spectrometry, particularly for use in metabolic screening programs?
A. The application of mass spectrometry that has gained the most notoriety during the past 10 years is in the field of newborn screening. By the end of this year, more than one fourth of all infants born in the United States will have their filter paper blood specimens analyzed by mass spectrometry. Among the metabolites analyzed are amino acid and acylcarnitine biomarkers indicative of more than 35 diseases. Other mass spectrometry applications in screening programs may include the analysis of homocysteine, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, bile acids, steroids, very long chain fatty acids, thyroxin, and other small molecules. Although mass spectrometry can be used in protein analysis, especially hemoglobin and the characterization of sickle cell disorders, it has not been widely used in routine screening. Other mass spectrometers, such as time of flight, will likely be used in the next five to 10 years for protein analysis in screening programs. Furthermore, many new methods will be developed
