title: Sample preparation for measurement of plasma mycophenolic acid concentrations using chromatographically functionalized magnetic micro-particles.
abstract: Utilizing chromatographically modified magnetic micro-particles is an innovative principle of sample  preparation for quantitative analysis of small molecules in complex biomedical samples by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Since no vacuum or pressure has to be applied-in contrast  to cartridge based solid phase extraction protocols-the principle's main characteristics are potentially straightforward automation and a high extraction performance (in terms of µg of extraction material per µL of sample). Following first descriptions of the approach, this article reports, the validation of a magnetic particle-based, analytical method for the quantification of the immunosuppressant mycophenolic acid in plasma. This sample preparation technology has shown a good performance for this clinically relevant analyte. As a result, we conclude that further work towards the implementation of this technology in a multi- analyte approach on robotic systems, aiming towards a fully automated process, is justified.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Laboratory Medicine, University of Munich, München, Germany. katrin.koenig@med.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: König
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vogeser
mesh_terms: D001331:Automation; D002138:Calibration; D002624:Chemistry, Clinical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000097:blood*; D008280:Magnetics; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D052616:Solid Phase Extraction
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid