Biofunctional molecules, such as neurotransmitters, metabolites and neuropeptides, are involved in various biological and regulatory processes and play essential roles in vivo. Owing to their complex structures and wide range of concentrations, analyzing those molecules in complex biological matrices has been challenging, and it is highly desirable to develop selective and sensitive analytical methodologies to achieve efficient characterization. In this dissertation, both liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) methods were developed to identify and characterize biofunctional molecules. Specifically, an LC-MS workflow was developed to determine neurotransmitters and metabolites with a reference tandem mass spectrometry library. Moreover, an enrichment-free method has been applied to discover N-linked and O-linked glycosylation on crustacean neuropeptides. Additionally, this work demonstrates complementary MALDI MSI approaches to map in situ neurotransmitter distribution on high resolution-accurate mass Orbitrap platform. The employment of sub-atmospheric pressure MALDI MSI has featured the alleviation of ion suppression effects and produced high resolution molecular imaging of neuropeptides and lipids in vivo. Overall, this work not only improves multifaceted analytical techniques for uncovering the complexity of crustacean signaling molecules but also provides potential applications in a broad set of biological systems.

The book that highlights mass spectrometry and its application in characterizing proteins and peptides in drug discovery An instrumental analytical method for quantifying the mass and characterization of various samples from small molecules to large proteins, mass spectrometry (MS) has become one of the most widely used techniques for studying proteins and peptides over the last decade. Bringing together the work of experts in academia and industry, Protein and Peptide Mass Spectrometry in Drug Discovery highlights current analytical approaches, industry practices, and modern strategies for the characterization of both peptides and proteins in drug discovery. Illustrating the critical role MS technology plays in characterizing target proteins and protein products, the methods used, ion mobility, and the use of microwave radiation to speed proteolysis, the book also covers important emerging applications for neuroproteomics and antigenic peptides. Placing an emphasis on the pharmaceutical industry, the book stresses practice and applications, presenting real-world examples covering the most recent advances in mass spectrometry, and providing an invaluable resource for pharmaceutical scientists in industry and academia, analytical and bioanalytical chemists, and researchers in protein science and proteomics.

The book highlights the current practices and future trends in structural characterization of impurities and degradants. It begins with an overview of mass spectrometry techniques as related to the analysis of impurities and degradants, followed by studies involving characterization of process related impurities (including potential genotoxic impurities), and excipient related impurities in formulated products. Both general practitioners in pharmaceutical research and specialists in analytical chemistry field will benefit from this book that will detail step-by-step approaches and new strategies to solve challenging problems related to pharmaceutical research.

Presents Practical Applications of Mass Spectrometry for Protein Analysis and Covers Their Impact on Accelerating Drug Discovery and Development Covers both qualitative and quantitative aspects of Mass Spectrometry protein analysis in drug discovery Principles, Instrumentation, Technologies topics include MS of peptides, proteins, and ADCs , instrumentation in protein analysis, nanospray technology in MS protein analysis, and automation in MS protein analysis Details emerging areas from drug monitoring to patient care such as Identification and validation of biomarkers for cancer, targeted MS approaches for biomarker validation, biomarker discovery, and regulatory perspectives Brings together the most current advances in the mass spectrometry technology and related method in protein analysis

This book highlights current approaches and future trends in the use of mass spectrometry to characterize protein therapies. As one of the most frequently utilized analytical techniques in pharmaceutical research and development, mass spectrometry has been widely used in the characterization of protein therapeutics due to its analytical sensitivity, selectivity, and specificity. This book begins with an overview of mass spectrometry techniques as related to the analysis of protein therapeutics, structural identification strategies, quantitative approaches, followed by studies involving characterization of process related protein drug impurities/degradants, metabolites, higher order structures of protein therapeutics. Both general practitioners in pharmaceutical research and specialists in analytical sciences will benefit from this book that details step-by-step approaches and new strategies to solve challenging problems related to protein therapeutics research and development.

This volume provides a collection of contemporary perspectives on using activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) for biological discoveries in protein science, microbiology, and immunology. A common theme throughout is the special utility of ABPP to interrogate protein function and small-molecule interactions on a global scale in native biological systems. Each chapter showcases distinct advantages of ABPP applied to diverse protein classes and biological systems. As such, the book offers readers valuable insights into the basic principles of ABPP technology and how to apply this approach to biological questions ranging from the study of post-translational modifications to targeting bacterial effectors in host-pathogen interactions.

This book gives pharmaceutical scientists an up-to-date resource on protein aggregation and its consequences, and available methods to control or slow down the aggregation process. While significant progress has been made in the past decade, the current understanding of protein aggregation and its consequences is still immature. Prevention or even moderate inhibition of protein aggregation has been mostly experimental. The knowledge in this book can greatly help pharmaceutical scientists in the development of therapeutic proteins, and also instigate further scientific investigations in this area. This book fills such a need by providing an overview on the causes, consequences, characterization, and control of the aggregation of therapeutic proteins.