Waters XEVO TQ-S IVD Ultra high pressure liquid chromotography triple quad mass spectrometry with a photodiode Liquid Chromatograph (LC)

This equipment will allow us to identify small molecules in complex biological solutions

in very low concentrations and will expand and deepen our research capabilities. The

Xevo TQ-S will be used to study disease states which have been identified as national

problems and have a high impact on the cost of health care in South Africa e.g. HIV, TB

and obesity-related disorders. It is used for accurate identification and characterisation of small molecules, metabolites, small peptides and lipids in various sample matrices. This system also

allows for the accurate quantification and identification of these molecules in femtomole

levels by decreasing the matrix interferences and increasing the efficiency and

resolution of the chromatography. It has the patented Step Wave which has two ion tranfer stages off axis allowing the  prevention of neutral uncharged ions travelling through the mass spectrometer to

interfere with the analysis. This system has the capability of accurate mass quantitation

which helps It can be used for the identification of disease markers. Thus, one of the projects for which this machine will be used is to determine whether indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) can be used for the diagnosis and prognosis of TB. Novel disease markers can also be identified using this instrument and this may lead to the development of commercial diagnostic kits. The fields of proteomics and metabolomics are now key in biomedical research. These areas of research allow us to determine the molecular aetiology of different disease processes and to identify markers of disease progression. Access to instruments like the Xevo TQ-S are essential in these fields. Very few people within South Africa have training in the use of such instrumentation. Therefore, access to the Xevo TQ-S will lead to the development of a kernal of expertise within South Africa. Scientists and students

within our institute and other local institutes will be trained in the use of this machine