Rental of High Sensitivity Tandem Mass Spectrometer with HPLC System for Hormone and Metabolite Analysis

The Cambridge University Hospitals Blood Sciences Biochemical Genetics Unit seeks to rent a high sensitivity Triple Quadrupole Tandem Mass Spectrometer (TMS) system coupled to an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system to replace existing equipment. The laboratory processes approximately 120,000 samples annually across four current LC-TMS systems for diagnosis of endocrine and metabolic disorders and neonatal screening. The replacement system must support 10 validated analytical methods including newborn blood spot analysis using Chemoview software and quantify analytes at nanomolar concentrations in serum, urine, and blood spot matrices. Required TMS specifications include: multiple ionization modes (APCI and ESI), positive/negative polarity switching (≤5msec settling time), flow rates from 5-3000 µL/min, infusion pump capability (up to 30 µL/min), oil-free roughing pump, self-generating gas system, compatibility with multi-vendor HPLC systems (Shimadzu, Agilent, Waters), data export in .txt format, direct transferability of existing methods, and optional upgradability to linear ion trap. Required HPLC specifications include: dual binary pumps (≤10,000 PSI), 4+ solvent lines per pump with inline degassers, autosampler capable of 1-50 µL injections from 96-well plates (shallow/deep) and vials with six position flexibility, column oven operating 5-85°C accommodating six 25cm analytical columns, and ability to drive multiple 2 and 7-port 6-position valves for method multiplexing.