Mass spectrometry has evolved significantly in recent years and has become
a powerful analytical tool in the field of drug discovery and development. It allows for
the identification and characterization of small molecules, peptides, and proteins in
complex biological samples with high sensitivity and accuracy. This chapter provides
an overview of the recent trends in modern mass spectrometry and its application
towards the drug discovery and development process. It discusses the advancements in
mass spectrometry technology, such as high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS),
ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AIMS), data-independent acquisition (DIA)
mass spectrometry, tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and how they have
enabled the analysis of complex biological samples. The chapter also highlights the use
of mass spectrometry in various stages of the drug discovery and development process,
including target identification, hit identification, lead optimization, and drug
metabolism and pharmacokinetic studies. Additionally, it discusses the challenges and
future prospects of mass spectrometry in drug discovery and development. Overall,
mass spectrometry has revolutionized the drug discovery and development process and
will continue to play a crucial role in the future.
Keywords: Ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AIMS), Drug discovery, Drug development, Data-independent acquisition (DIA) mass spectrometry, High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), Mass spectrometry, Tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
