MALDI-TOF MS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSAYING AN ANALYTE IN A BODILY FLUID FROM A SUBJECT

摘要

A method for assaying an analyte in a bodily fluid from a subject includes collecting a sample of the bodily fluid comprising an analyte of interest from a subject. A sample with the bodily fluid comprising the analyte of interest suitable for analysis by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) is then prepared. Mass spectrometry is then performed to determine mass-to-charge ratios and ion abundances of the bodily fluid or its components. The mass-to-charge ratio values and the ion abundance of each of these ratios are then analyzed using calibration standards to interpret a resulting mass spectrum and to provide quantitative information.