| LC/MS/MS | Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry | Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) is a technique combining the principles of chromatography and mass spectrometry. Chromatographic separation of the analytes is based on the difference of their distribution between a mobile liquid phase and a stationary phase. Mass spectrometry measures ions based on the mass to charge m/z ratio. In LCMS-MS, following a liquid chromatography separation, the sample is introduced into a mass spectrometer, where the molecules are ionized, fragmented, and the fragments are sorted based on their m/z ratio, then subsequently introduced to a second mass spectrometer for further fragmentation, sorting and quantitation. This technique is highly specific and sensitive. |