Applied Biosystems/MDS Analytical Technologies Launches New Mass Spectrometry Tools to Advance Public Health and Safety

Applied Biosystems, a division of Life Technologies Corporation, and its mass spectrometry joint-venture partner, MDS Analytical Technologies, a business unit of MDS Inc., developed new mass spectrometry tools to help laboratories in a variety of industries advance their efforts to improve public health and safety.

The Cliquid® 3.0 software and mTRAQ® triplex reagents are designed to enhance food and water contaminant testing, forensic drug screening and protein biomarker research.

Cliquid 3.0 software is an automated software application for contaminant testing and forensic analysis. It enables scientists to identify unknown compounds, expanding the scope of Cliquid software to identify the greatest number of compounds and driving the life science industry’s most comprehensive solution for food and water contaminant testing as well as forensic drug screening for emerging variations of illicit drugs. mTRAQ triplex reagents are a set of chemical reagents that label proteins in complex samples for targeted quantitation. They make biomarker verification more accurate, doubling the throughput of analysis, which is expected to accelerate the use of increasing numbers of biomarkers in clinical settings.

These tools, which are optimised for Applied Biosystems/MDS Analytical Technologies mass spectrometers, including the AB SCIEX 5500 systems and AB SCIEX TOF/TOF 5800 system, allow scientists to increase their ability to use mass spectrometry systems to identify and quantify compounds or contaminants. For example, food testing laboratories can detect unknown contaminants that may be present in the food supply, while forensic laboratories may be able to identify new designer street drugs in forensic investigations. In the proteomics field, researchers can more rapidly verify and validate biomarkers to support their potential use in clinical settings, including the emergence of personalised medicine.

Laura Lauman, President of Life Technologies’ Mass Spectrometry Systems Division
“Scientists in a variety of industries are continuing to employ the power of mass spectrometry to advance their efforts in improving public health and safety. Applied Biosystems/MDS Analytical Technologies continues to support these scientists by providing them with innovative technologies that deliver complete workflow solutions, including industry-leading platforms, software and applications.”

Andy Boorn, President of MDS Analytical Technologies
“Applied Biosystems/MDS Analytical Technologies continues to drive new standards for mass spectrometry-based software applications to maximise the innovation of our platforms. We are evolving our technologies to provide the highest-performing tools, responding to customer requirements to expand the capabilities of laboratories.”