Automated system for LCMS sample preparation

Project Summary/Abstract Wayne State University Lipidomics Core Facility provides Liquid Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) based lipid analysis services to NIH-funded researchers both at the university and its partnering institutions. An essential feature of lipidomic analysis is that the lipids are extracted from biological samples before subjecting to LC- MS analysis. This is a labor-intensive process and involves repetitive use of Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) as well as liquid-liquid extraction methods. The requested automated system from Hamilton, MassExtract STARlet, can perform the essential functions involved in the sample preparation for LC-MS. Precise volume delivery, mixing and incubation, temperature control, barcode enabled sample monitoring, clog detection systems, eluate evaporation, and other features of the system are invaluable to manage large volume of samples (>6,000) processed by the core facility each year. This system will revolutionize our ability improve accuracy, reproducibility, and the speed of sample preparation for LC-MS analyses. Further, the system’s unattended operational capabilities provide ample opportunities to develop novel and improve existing methods to further our NIH funded research. All essential facilities required to install the instrument are in place and the university is committed to maintain it for its continued use well beyond the manufacturer’s warranty.