title: An automation-assisted generic approach for biological sample preparation and LC-MS/MS method validation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although it is well known that automation can provide significant improvement in the efficiency of biological sample preparation in quantitative LC-MS/MS analysis, it has not been widely implemented in bioanalytical laboratories throughout the industry. This can be attributed to the lack of a sound strategy and practical procedures in working with robotic liquid-handling systems.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Several comprehensive automation assisted procedures for biological sample preparation and method validation were developed and qualified using two types of Hamilton Microlab liquid-handling robots. The procedures developed were generic, user-friendly and covered the majority of steps involved in routine sample preparation and method validation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Generic automation procedures were established as a practical approach to widely implement automation into the routine bioanalysis of samples in support of drug-development programs.
authors: Bioanalytics, Department of Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, East Hanover, NJ 07936, USA. Jie-3.Zhang@novartis.com
authors: Jie
authors: J
authors: Zhang
authors: Shimin
authors: S
authors: Wei
authors: David W
authors: DW
authors: Ayres
authors: Harold T
authors: HT
authors: Smith
authors: Francis L S
authors: FL
authors: Tse
mesh_terms: D001331:Automation / Q000379:methods*; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D055808:Drug Discovery; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000032:analysis; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010949:Plasma / Q000737:chemistry; D011725:Pyridines / Q000032:analysis; D012015:Reference Standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012371:Robotics; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D007093:Imidazoles; D011725:Pyridines; C559019:RAF265