USE OF DETECTOR RESPONSE CURVES TO OPTIMIZE SETTINGS FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY

摘要

Processes for identifying optimal mass spectrometer settings to produce the greatest confidence in sample constituent detection are provided. Data obtained on a mass spectrometer are analyzed by a quadratic variance function which accurately represents intensity variation as a variation of peak intensity. This function is then used to identify intensities that possess a minimum coefficient of variation that is useful for identifying optimal mass spectrometer settings. Inventive processes involve using a general purpose computer to identify optimal mass spectrometer settings for use in biomarker analyses, for optimizing peak detection and biomarker identification in a biological sample. The inventive processes provide for improved methods of identifying new biomarkers as well as screening subjects for the presence or absence of disease or biological condition.