LC-MS Analytical Services

We provide comprehensive, end-to-end LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) services, covering everything from sample preparation to data analysis, statistics, and result consultation. Our services cater to a broad spectrum of analytical needs, including basic metabolite profiling, complex proteomic analysis, and drug quantification.

The LC-MS platform we utilize enables high-resolution, sensitive, and accurate analysis of small molecules, peptides, proteins, and metabolites, making it an essential tool for both research and clinical applications.                                    

500+
Projects Completed
9+
Sample Matrix Types
150+
Clients Served
2
Agilent Platforms

One-Stop LC-MS Pipeline

STEP 1 Study Design & Consultation
STEP 2 Method Development If needed
STEP 3 LC-MS Analysis
STEP 4 Data Processing & Statistics
STEP 5 Scientific Report & Interpretation
STEP 6 Expert Consultation Optional

Our LC-MS Services

Targeted quantification is the right approach when you need to measure the precise concentration of specific, known compounds in your sample. Using our Triple Quadrupole (TQ) instrument, we can detect and quantify drugs, toxins, metabolites, and active compounds at very low concentrations — even in complex biological matrices. This service is commonly used for pharmacokinetic studies, quality control testing, and biomarker validation.

Targeted · TQ Platform

What we quantify

  • Drugs, toxins and active compounds
  • Metabolites (targeted panels)
  • Proteins (via SRM/MRM)
  • Residual chemicals and contaminants
  • Biomarkers with defined thresholds

What is included

  • Method development for novel analytes
  • Calibration curve and validation
  • High sensitivity across a wide compound range
Instrument: Agilent LC-6495 Triple Quadrupole (TQ) — ideal for high-sensitivity targeted detection, drug monitoring, and toxicology.

Untargeted omics analysis is designed for discovery — when you want to understand the full molecular profile of your sample without defining targets in advance. Using our high-resolution QTOF instrument, we detect thousands of features across the metabolome, lipidome, or proteome simultaneously. This is the preferred approach for comparing biological groups, identifying biomarkers, and exploring mechanisms of action in research and early-stage development.

Untargeted · QTOF Platform

Omics services

  • Metabolomics (metabolite ID and profiling)
  • Lipidomics
  • Proteomics (discovery)
  • Peptidomics
  • Microbiome metabolite profiling

Analysis outputs

  • Full feature detection across the metabolome
  • Group comparison and biomarker discovery
  • PCA, volcano plots, and heatmaps
  • Annotation via HMDB, KEGG, and LipidMaps Add-on — available as additional data analysis upon request
Instrument: Agilent LC-6545XT QTOF — high-resolution accurate mass for untargeted discovery and novel compound identification.

Protein characterization is used when you need detailed structural information about a specific protein — beyond simply identifying that it is present. Our QTOF platform enables accurate intact mass measurement and peptide-level analysis to confirm protein identity, detect post-translational modifications, map disulfide bonds, and characterize glycosylation. This service is particularly valuable for biopharmaceutical development, recombinant protein quality control, and biosimilar comparability studies.

QTOF · High Resolution

Characterization services

  • Intact protein mass analysis
  • Subunit mass profiling
  • Peptide mapping
  • Post-translational modification (PTM) detection
  • Glycoprofiling

Applications

  • Biopharmaceutical characterization (mAbs, fusion proteins)
  • Protein identity confirmation and QC
  • Disulfide bond mapping
  • Recombinant protein quality control
  • Biosimilar comparability studies
Instrument: Agilent LC-6545XT QTOF — accurate intact mass, peptide-level detail, and modification localization.

Which Instrument Is Right for You?

Triple Quadrupole (TQ)

Agilent LC-6495 · Targeted Analysis

Best forKnown compounds you need to quantify precisely
ModeTargeted (SRM/MRM) — you define what to measure
SensitivityExtremely high — sub-ppb detection
OutputQuantitative results per target compound
Use casesDrug quantification, toxin monitoring, clinical biomarkers, QC testing
Choose TQ when: you know your target compounds
VS

Quadrupole TOF (QTOF)

Agilent LC-6545XT · Untargeted Analysis

Best forDiscovering unknown compounds and global profiling
ModeUntargeted — detects everything in the sample
AccuracyHigh-resolution accurate mass (<5 ppm)
OutputFeature list with putative identifications
Use casesMetabolomics, lipidomics, proteomics, biomarker discovery
Choose QTOF when: you want to discover the unknown
Agilent LC-6495 Triple Quadrupole

Agilent LC-6495 TQ Machine

Agilent LC-6545XT QTOF

Agilent LC-6545XT QTOF Machine

Sample Types We Work With

Click any segment or legend item to learn more about our experience with that sample type.

Select a sample type from the chart to see details about our experience and capabilities.

Our Analytical Capabilities

Metabolomics (Untargeted)
Targeted Quantitation
Protein Identification
Quantitative Proteomics
Residual Chemicals ID
Sample Prep Support
Lipidomics
QC & Normalization

Deliverables

Raw & Processed Data

Original instrument files plus filtered, normalized datasets ready for downstream analysis.

Feature Matrix (Excel)
Compound IDSample 1Sample 2Controlp-value
M134T4512,45011,8906,2300.003
M256T1208,6709,1108,9000.412
M198T883,2003,4507,8000.001
.d files.mzMLExcel matrixQC report
Statistical Analysis Report

Publication-ready figures including PCA, volcano plots, heatmaps, and ANOVA.

Volcano Plot (example)
Log2 Fold Change vs –log10(p-value)
Top differentially expressed features
Glutamine
Citric acid
Proline
PCA plotVolcano plotHeatmapANOVA
Analysis Report (PowerPoint)

A structured PowerPoint report that walks through every stage of your project — making results clear, traceable, and ready to share with collaborators or include in publications.

What the report covers
Sample list with group assignments and protein concentrations
Sample preparation protocol and instrument acquisition parameters
LC gradient and full MS conditions
Chromatograms for each experiment and sample
Data processing and filtration criteria
Statistical analysis figures (PCA, PLSDA, heatmaps, volcano plot, fold change, T-test) and significant compound table
Summary of key findings
.pptx formatAll figures includedReady to present
Compound Annotation List

Identified or putative compounds with database IDs, confidence levels, and pathway mapping.

Annotation Table (Excel)
FeatureNameHMDB IDConf.
M146T34L-GlutamineHMDB0000641Level 1
M191T67Citric acidHMDB0000094Level 1
M253T112Putative lipidLevel 3
HMDB IDsKEGG pathwaysLipidMapsConfidence levels
Quantification Results

For targeted analyses: concentration values per analyte with calibration data and method validation summary.

Quantification Table (Excel)
CompoundConc. (ng/mL)LODLOQ
Drug A24.3 ± 1.20.51.5
Drug B8.7 ± 0.40.10.3
Metabolite X156 ± 8.15.015.0
ConcentrationsLOD/LOQCalibration curve
Expert Consultation Session

Optional walkthrough of results with our in-house scientist. Discuss interpretation, next steps, and publication strategy.

Session includes
Results walkthrough and Q&A with in-house expert
Biological context and pathway discussion
Guidance on follow-up experiments
Support for manuscript methods section
Optional add-onVirtual or in-person

Sample Submission Process

1

Get in touch

Contact us via the quote form below or by email at [email protected]. Please include a brief description of your project, sample type, and what you are looking to measure or identify.

2

Receive quote and sample form

We will send you a pre-indicative quote or pricing guide along with a sample submission form to fill in. This allows us to prepare the right protocol for your samples before they arrive.

3

Send your samples

Once the form is completed, ship your samples to our laboratory by courier — we will provide you with our address and any packaging guidelines to ensure samples arrive in optimal condition.

Turnaround Time

Untargeted analysis, characterization & identification

3–4 weeks

Standard turnaround from sample receipt to final report delivery. If your project is time-sensitive, expedited processing is available — please note that priority handling carries a priority surcharge.

Projects requiring method development or optimization

3–4 weeks + 1–2 weeks

Method development and optimization takes approximately 3–4 weeks. Once the method is established, routine sample runs take an additional 1–2 weeks depending on current queue.

All timelines are indicative and subject to current workload. We will always communicate an estimated timeline upon project confirmation.

Common Questions

Below are enquiries we frequently receive from clients, along with our current capabilities for each.

Can you perform LC-MS identity confirmation?
Yes, we can perform LC-MS identity confirmation. This is typically done by matching the accurate mass and fragmentation pattern of your compound against a reference standard or database entry.
Can you perform HPLC purity analysis?
Yes, we can perform HPLC purity analysis. Please note that our existing methods are optimised primarily for protein-based samples, so a degree of method fine-tuning may be required depending on your compound and matrix. We will advise on this during the project consultation.
Can you do assay or concentration verification for peptides?
Yes. For peptide concentration verification by LC-MS, a pure peptide standard is required as a reference. Once provided, we can use targeted LC-MS to accurately quantify your peptide of interest across your samples.
Can you perform impurity or endotoxin testing?

Endotoxin testing: Yes, we can perform endotoxin testing using the Kinetic-QCL commercial assay kit.

Heavy metals: This falls outside our current analytical scope and we are not able to offer this service at this time.

For other specific impurity assays not listed here, please contact us to discuss feasibility — we are happy to evaluate on a case-by-case basis.

What do clients need to provide for a quantification project?

For targeted quantification projects, we require the following in addition to your samples:

  • Reference standards for each target compound — these are used to build the calibration curve and ensure accurate quantification.
  • 1–2 internal standards — used to correct for sample-to-sample variability during analysis.

Clients are welcome to supply these standards themselves. If you need assistance sourcing them, we can help procure them on your behalf — the cost will be included in the project charge.

If you are unsure which standards are appropriate for your project, please let us know during the initial consultation and we will advise accordingly.

Not Sure Which Service You Need?

Find Your Service — 3 Questions

Answer below and we will recommend the best approach for your project.

Request a Quote

Contact Us: LC-MS Team

LC-MS