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The Expanding Role of Mass Spectrometry in Biotechnology

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Mass spectroscopy is one of the most useful techniques in biotechnology, especially proteomics. The identification of drug metabolites, synthesis products and protein and protein fragments is a central activity in many types of research projects. Small molecules and larger macromolecules can be analyzed, both for molecular weight and their structure. The popularity of mass spectrometric analysis in biotechnology has soared over the last decade.

There have been new developments in mass spec, including hybrid instruments that combine MALDI (Matrix-assisted laser desorption) with ESI electrospray, new ion trap instruments, and many developments such as high-throughput analysis and mass spec for clinical diagnostics. This book serves as both an update to Dr. Siuzdak's first book "Mass Spectrometry for Biotechnology" and really, serves as a replacement since the original text was published in 1996.

The chapters include:
1. Ionization and the Mass Spectrometer
2. Mass Analyzers
3. Practical Aspects of Biomolecular Analysis
4. Peptide and Protein Analysis
5. Protein Profiling
6. Protein Structure characterization
7. Nucleic acid, carbohydrates and steroids
8. High throughput analysis
9. Pharmacokinetics
10. Mass Spectrometry in Action (applications)

For instructors in analytical chemistry courses at the college or graduate level, the book is a useful text with questions at the end of the chapters to be used as review. These are not in-depth questions, but they are a good tool for the self-directed student to check his or her comprehension. The later chapters are heavy on applications such as carbohydrate and oligonucleotide and steroid analysis, as well as pharmacokinetics. There are many illustrations, well-drawn and clear. This compact, well-written and useful primer should be on the shelf of anyone doing mass spec in biotechnology, anyone studying analytical chemistry or really, anyone in biotechnology.

Mass spectrometry is playing an increasingly important role in biological research due to its extremely high sensitivity, incredible resolving power and compatibility with high throughput assays. The prominent position of mass spectrometry today is due in part to fast paced technical innovations that have resulted in a range of highly sensitive and versatile instruments. The newest version of the Siuzdak text, "The Expanding Role of Mass Spectrometry in Biotechnology", distills this challenging topic to its essence, allowing scientists and students alike to understand the basic concepts and essential requirements of the most commonly applied mass spectrometry techniques. Mastery of this well presented and easily read material will empower biologists to expand their research horizons. This text deserves a spot on every biomedical researcher's bookshelf.

After reading "The Expanding Role of Mass Spectrometry in Biotechnology", I believe it should be recommended to more students including undergraduates and graduate students majoring in analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, or related areas. And it would be a helpful reference for students who have some basic knowledge about MS and would like to learn more about its current development and applications. For myself as a graduate student in analytical chemistry it concisely explained and summarized the different areas of MS and provided a comprehensive view on its development in bioanalytical science. Moreover, it is a good text book as it is easy to understand and the questions at the end of each chapter are good guides for students to master key pionts. Last month, I used this book to educate my roomate, a PhD candidate in organic chemistry, on the ionization principles of ESI. The great images and examples helped her a lot . So, the question is... will Gary Siuzdak translate it into Chinese to make it more easily available to other Chinese students!

An advantageous read for the mass spectrometry novice! It is definitely inspiring for those who are interested in biotechnology. This book is an instrumental resource for those who run a mass spectrometry core facility, like me, in order to educate other customers who are interested in working with mass spec. Gary Siuzdak takes such a specialized topic and methodology and breaks it down quite nicely for readers to receive a more concise background on this technology. I highly recommend this book to biologists, chemists, physicists, and biochemists.

The Expanding Role of Mass Spectrometry in Biotechnology is the book that the biotechnology field has needed for years. It accurately covers the basics yet illustrates the most advanced ideas of possible applications. "The Expanding Role of MS ..." describes the current major areas of mass spectrometry applications such as protein characterization, pharmacokinetics, and high throughput screening. With interesting examples, clear explanations, and major references, "The Expanding Role of MS ..." provides an excellent reference for academic and industrial needs. The format and the examples make this book the perfect teaching tool for students or scientists wanting to better understand the principles as well as the potential roles of mass spectrometry in biotechnology. I have recommended it for scientists within our company or anyone interested in the capabilities of modern mass spectrometry.