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How Science is Tackling Designer Drugs

SelectScience

New techniques to detect illicit substances

19 Aug 2015
Lois Manton-O'Byrne, PhD
Executive Editor

Editorial article

Discover how cutting-edge analytical techniques are leading the fight against illicit designer drugs

1. WEBINAR: Insights into a Forensic Lab – Mass Spectrometry Beyond CSI

Comprehensive and reliable screening of human body fluids for the presence of drugs, toxicants, poisons and their metabolites is an increasingly challenging task. In this exclusive webinar, Dr. Jürgen Kempf, from the Freiburg Institute of Forensic Medicine, describes the use of two complementary LC-MS/MS technologies to address this issue. Watch webinar on-demand.

2. VIDEO: Targeted and Non-Targeted Approach to Screening Designer Drugs in Police Departments

Learn how mass spectrometry is helping scientists and the police detect the latest designer drugs. Dr Petur Dalsgaard, of the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and a Waters Center of Innovation Program honoree, uses a range of Waters instruments, including the Xevo G2-S QTof and TQ-S for sensitive and robust screening to identify illicit substances. Watch video.

3. ARTICLE: Advances in Forensic Science: Could Mass Spec Have its Day in Court?

In this exclusive interview, Professor Victor Weedn, The George Washington University, describes the current technologies in forensic science and their use in the criminal justice system. Currently, there is a demand for valid analysis of difficult samples that will stand up as evidence in a court of law, and mass spectrometry may be the technology to solve this problem. Read more.

4. NEWS: Rapid Detection of Designer Drugs within the Routine Laboratory

Science needs to work hard to keep pace with clandestine designer drugs labs – that was the hard-hitting message delivered to delegates at AACC Clinical Lab Expo. Randox Toxicology highlighted the problem and outlined the requirement for a rapid and comprehensive designer drugs testing system to tackle the issue. Read more.

5. APPLICATION NOTE: Automated Direct Sample Analysis (DSA/TOF) for the Rapid Screening and Confirmation of Illicit Street Drugs

This application note describes a method using the AxION® 2 TOF MS, integrated with the AxION Direct Sample Analysis™ (DSA™) system, for screening various classes of street seized, illicit designer drugs, drugs of abuse and abused human growth hormones in solid and liquids. The method can also be used to detect metabolites in the urine of possible illicit drug offenders. Download method.

Find out more about our Forensics community here.

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Xevo G2-XS QTof

Waters

Xevo G2-XS QTof - eXtreme Sensitivity, eXtraordinary Selectivity, eXceptional Solutions. For the scientist who needs to identify, quantify and confirm the broadest range of compounds in the most complex and challenging samples the Xevo G2-XS QTof provides maximum robustness with no compromise in performance, class-leading real-world quantitative sensitivity, the highest quality, most comprehensive qualitative information, flexibility to adapt to changing needs and is accessible to experts and non-experts alike.

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Xevo G2-XS ToF

Waters

Xevo G2-XS Tof - Performance, robustness, and flexibility made accessible to everyone. For the scientist who needs to identify, quantify and confirm the broadest range of compounds in the most complex and challenging samples the Xevo G2-XS Tof provides maximum robustness with no compromise in performance, the highest quality, most comprehensive qualitative and quantitative information, flexibility to adapt to changing needs, and is accessible to experts and non-experts alike.

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Xevo TQ-S

Waters

Xevo TQ-S tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer - designed for the most demanding quantitative UPLC/MS/MS applications. The ultimate in tandem quadrupole performance allows you to achieve unrivalled sensitivity and robustness, available to everyone due to the accessibility of the Xevo platform. The Xevo TQ-S gives you class leading sensitivity and robustness, qualitative information when you need it most and accelerated method development for sensitive and robust methods. Reducing complexity, increasing ease of use, and ensuring the correct result every time.

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LC-MSLC-MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) systems and equipment are used for separation and quantitative analysis of complex mixtures, combining liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Quantify proteins, contaminants, pesticides or screen for drug metabolites with a high level of sensitivity. LC-MS systems and equipment include reverse phase, normal phase and specialized columns integrated with various MS detectors such as time-of-flight (TOF), quadrupole, orbitrap or ion trap mass analyzers. LC-MS/MS instruments equipped with a qTOF or triple quadrupole analyzer give greater sensitivity and resolving power to your analysis. Find the best LC-MS equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Mass SpectrometryMass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful analytical technique used to identify and quantify molecules based on the mass-to-charge ratio of gas-phase ions. It provides detailed information about the structure, composition, and properties of compounds and is widely used across fields such as environmental monitoring, materials science, drug discovery and development, food and beverage testing, and wider chemical research. Key MS techniques include tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LS-MS) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS). Choosing from these wide range of techniques and technologies can be a daunting task, so keep up to date with scientific applications, performance expectations, and customer reviews here all in one place. Visit our product directory to receive quotes direct from the manufacturer. Toxicology / Drugs of Abuse TestingToxicology and Drugs of Abuse Testing is the investigation into toxic and illegal substances found at the scene of a crime or from a suspect and / or victim associated with a scene of a crime. Analyzers, immunoassays and drugs of abuse test kits and presumptive test kits are an essential aspect of toxicology investigation.MetabolitesMetabolites are the intermediate and end products of metabolism. Analyzing metabolites offers insight into cellular processes and disease mechanisms and is critical in fields like pharmacology, toxicology, and diagnostics. Explore our peer-reviewed product directory to find the best tools for metabolite analysis, compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.AACCThe American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) Annual Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo is the largest meeting for clinical laboratory professionals in the world. This year's meeting is being held in Atlanta, USA, July 26th-30th, 2015.Drugs of AbuseA drug of abuse is a drug that has been taken for non-medical purposes. Such drugs can have mind-altering effects, with some causing dependence and addiction.Drug TestingIt is essential to test the efficacy and toxicity of drugs at every stage of their development to ensure that a pharmaceutical product is fit for purpose and safe for use before reaching the stage of mass production and distribution.Targeted ScreeningNon-Targeted ScreeningForensic ToxicologyForensic toxicology is used to determine cause of death, drug use and contaminations. Toxicological evaluations are commonly used in analytical chemistry, clinical, life sciences and forensics.UrineThe analysis of urine is important in medicinal, anti-doping, forensic and life sciences applications. The ability to evaluate what someone has ingested through their urine enables fast detection and diagnosis of certain illnesses.

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