SCIEX recently attended ASMS 2024. What were the highlights of the conference and what were you most excited to announce while there?
Chris Locke: You can feel an energy this year reminiscent of pre-pandemic times. Attendees sought connection and really wanted to understand how new innovations will help them be faster and generate better ideas and also discuss with us how they expect their future needs to evolve.
If you’ve been to ASMS, you know that the overnight hospitality suites are full of fun, engaging activities. SCIEX presented the Quant Continuum Series—three short films covering our launches played throughout the night and engaged the crowd via reactive wristbands.
Jose Castro-Perez: We also had 3 exciting announcements this year at ASMS. You can read the announcements in detail here:
- The release of the SCIEX 7500+ system, the newest mass spectrometer in the SCIEX quant portfolio, building on a legacy of reliable, sensitive quantification.
- Introducing ZT Scan DIA, our next generation in data-independent acquisition (DIA), providing the signature depth of coverage of DIA approaches but with the precision, sensitivity and selectivity of targeted quantitative workflows.
- A collaboration between SCIEX and Mass Analytica on artificial intelligence quantification (AI quant) software to process data and produce insights in minutes.
The SCIEX 7500+ system. Image credit: SCIEX
SCIEX demonstrated the SCIEX 7500+ system while at ASMS. Can you explain the key features of the new mass spectrometer system and how it builds on previous models of the SCIEX quantitative portfolio?
Chris Locke: Through partnerships with customers, we know they need results faster while ensuring greater system resilience, even with the most demanding sample types such as cannabis, cosmetics, food or plasma. The SCIEX 7500+ system builds on the existing robustness and reliability of the SCIEX 7500 system and has enhancements to increase uptime while maintaining sensitivity.
- Mass Guard technology is a new proprietary technology that includes the ability to actively filter potentially contaminating ions. It reduces the risk and frequency of instrument contamination, helping to maintain up to 2x higher sensitivity compared to existing SCIEX technology, particularly when performing complex arrays.
- The DJet+ assembly is fully removable, enabling front-end serviceability so customers can maximize the uptime of their systems.
- At 800 MRMs per second, the SCIEX 7500+ system is the fastest SCIEX Triple Quad to date. This increases the scope for large quantitation panels to incorporate new compounds of interest, improving overall laboratory productivity.
- It is supported by new functionality in SCIEX OS that allows users to monitor instrument performance and automate decision making, reducing the potential for batch failure and repeat measurements.
- Compatibility with dry roughing pumps can reduce electricity consumption by 24% compared to oil sealed pumps.”
Excerpts from SCIEX Press Releases at ASMS 2024
Capable of processing 800 MRMs per second, the SCIEX 7500+ system is SCIEX’s fastest Triple Quad. How does this speed benefit large quantitation tables and lab productivity?
Jose Castro-Perez: For sample sets that have a large number of analytes being analyzed, a single LC/MS-MS sample injection can be used instead of multiple subsequent injections. This will also address the speed in developing methods for larger panels.
SCIEX has also partnered with Mass Analytica to launch its AI quantification software. Can you tell us more about the software, its benefits and how it can process data from the SCIEX 7500+ system?
Jose Castro-Perez: As data is generated at record speeds, the connective tissue remains the way to process that data for scientists to make real-time decisions. Quantitative AI software from this partnership can quickly generate insights and boost productivity.
Among its many features is an AI-powered MRM transition prediction model for triple-quad systems such as the SCIEX 7500+ system. The predictor can be trained with user data to improve its accuracy. This feature saves time and resources by reducing the need for compound injections and state optimizations.
Image credit: NicoElNino/Shutterstock.com
Where can readers find more information?
About the Interviewees:
Chris Lock, Vice President, Global R&D, SCIEX.
As Vice President, Global Research & Development, Chris is responsible for software and hardware R&D for LCMS & CE at SCIEX.
Since joining SCIEX more than 20 years ago, Chris has held many technical and leadership roles of increasing responsibility. He has significant experience working with product and market management teams and building strong cross-company relationships. Most recently, he held the role of Vice President, LCMS R&D.
Prior to joining SCIEX, Chris worked as a researcher at the Institute of Marine Life Sciences, National Research Council of Canada in Halifax. Chris holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry and Ph.D. in Translational Energy Spectrometry from the University of Wales, Swansea, UK.
Jose Castro-Perez, Vice President, Product Management, SCIEX.
As Vice President, Product Management, Jose is responsible for overall ownership of SCIEX’s global product portfolio for CE, LC/MS, software ecosystems and accessories, including product line management, technology roadmap, new product development and revenue growth /margin through value creation and commercial support.
Jose has 25 years of customer experience in the Pharma, CRO and Biotech industry. Additionally, he held several senior roles at Waters focusing on marketing and business development for all product and service offerings.
Jose joined SCIEX in 2019 as Senior Director of Accurate Mass Product Management, overseeing the entire Accurate Mass product portfolio. During his tenure he was responsible for the strategy of the Accurate Mass product line and the
execution of this strategy from conception to end of life. In addition, he also held a leadership role in Market Development, where he was responsible for developing the inbound and outbound marketing strategy for the entire SCIEX product portfolio.
José holds a BA in Chemistry from King’s College London, an MSc in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Surrey in the UK and a Ph.D. in Metabolomics from Leiden University in the Netherlands.
