title: The life sciences mass spectrometry research unit.
abstract: The Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry (LSMS) research unit focuses on the development of novel analytical workflows based on innovative mass spectrometric and software tools for the analysis of low molecular weight compounds, peptides and proteins in complex biological matrices. The present  article summarizes some of the recent work of the unit: i) the application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) for mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) of drug of abuse in hair, ii) the use of high resolution mass spectrometry for simultaneous qualitative/quantitative analysis  in drug metabolism and metabolomics, and iii) the absolute quantitation of proteins by mass spectrometry using the selected reaction monitoring mode.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Geneva, University of Lausanne Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry Quai Ernest-Ansermet, 30 CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland. Gerard.Hopfgartner@unige.ch
authors.forename: Gérard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hopfgartner
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Varesio
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001690:Biological Science Disciplines / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000639:trends*; D008660:Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D055432:Metabolomics; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000378:metabolism; D012106:Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations