[New methods in pharmaceutical research: combinatorial chemistry and high throughput screening]. / Les nouvelles méthodes en recherche pharmaceutique: chimie combinatoire et criblage à haut débit.

New lead-identification methodologies such as high-throughput screening and combinatorial chemistry have been integrated into pharmaceutical research over the past 5-10 years. More rational use in the selection of potential preclinical candidates for some difficult targets has increased the chances of success.

Preparative separation of mixtures by mass spectrometry.

A specially designed mass spectrometer which allows for preparative separation of mixtures is described. This mass spectrometer allows for large ion currents, on the order of nanoamperes, to be produced by electrospray and transmitted into a high vacuum. Accumulation of nanomole quantities of collected and recovered material in several hours is demonstrated. The use of high-velocity ions reduces space charge effects at high ion currents. Separation of mass occurs simultaneously for all ions, providing a 100% duty cycle. The use of a linear dispersion magnet avoids compression at higher m/z ratios. A deceleration lens slows the ions to allow for soft landing at low kinetic energy. The ions are neutralized by ion pairing on an oxidized metal surface. Retractable landing plates allow for easy removal of the separated components.