# Small Molecule Biomarker Core:  TSQ Altis LC-MS/MS

> **NIH NIH S10** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2020 · $429,410

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Quantitative measurements of small molecules are essential to pharmaceutical sciences research. Discovery
of the mechanisms of disease pathogenesis for development of new therapeutic strategies requires the
quantitative measurements of small molecules in complex biological matrices. The most specific and sensitive
method of quantification of these targets is through triple quadrupole mass spectrometry system. Thanks to
funds from a share instrument grant (S10RR023461), we purchased a Waters Acquity UPLC with a Thermo
triple-stage quadrupole (TSQ) Quantum Ultra mass spectrometry and established our Small Molecular
Biomarker Core (SMBC) in 2009. Since then our core has developed sensitive and robust quantitation
methods for multiple panels in the analysis of biomarkers and endogenous products, drugs and metabolites,
and new drug discovery. The highly sensitive and specific techniques employed have allowed preclinical and
clinical researchers to accurately measure multiple small molecule drug and biomarker concentrations in the
same sample, maximizing the ability to link basic science with clinical outcomes. We have supported over 40
principal investigators with their ongoing NIH-funded research projects, as well as provided preliminary data to
support NIH proposals subsequently selected for funding. SMBC has serviced at least 15 NIH funded grants in
the last five years. Our core service has been instrumental to support the funded research, securing new
funding, and peer-reviewed publication of research results.
Despite its essential role in supporting human health related research, the SMBC core cannot continue to fulfill
its mission without replacing the aging instrumentation. The specific aim of this proposal is to request funds
from NIH to acquire an integrated system including a Vanquish H UHPLC with a TSQ Altis mass spectrometer
from Thermo to replace our 12-year old instrumentation, which will soon cease to be supported by the
manufacturers. The new LC-MS/MS system will reside in our SMBC core where resources are available for
administering use of the instrument, which include: 1) track record of collaborative research with investigators
from all of the health sciences; 2) a well-developed administrative plan for system management, maintenance,
and cost recovery; and 3) skilled personnel with substantial experience with mass spectrometric and liquid
chromatographic methods. Availability of such instrumentation would allow our NIH-funded user group to
pursue innovative research that would otherwise be severely limited due to lack of such state-of-the-art
instrumentation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9938865
- **Project number:** 1S10OD028540-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** THOMAS DOUGLAS NOLIN
- **Activity code:** S10 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $429,410
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-04-15 → 2021-04-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9938865

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9938865, Small Molecule Biomarker Core:  TSQ Altis LC-MS/MS (1S10OD028540-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9938865. Licensed CC0.

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