TECHNOLOGIES

At Intrinsic Analytics, we use one of the best technologies to provide accurate testing services to our clients. Below we have briefly described the technologies and platforms that we use in our facility.

Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) 
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) has historically been the gold standard for analyzing biochemical compounds such as lipids, proteins and drug metabolites. It is composed of two main components: Gas Chromatography (GC) and Mass Spectrometry (MS). Gas chromatography is technique used for separating compounds that can easily be vaporized without decomposition. Once separated, the coupled mass spectrometer identifies the different separated and eluted substances based on the MS principle described above. One of the advantages of GC-MS is the reproducible fragmentation pattern for each metabolite which allows for easy identification based on known metabolite patterns stored in a database.

Liquid Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)
Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) is an analytical chemistry technique that utilises the separation capabilities of liquid chromatography (LC) and mass analysis capabilities of mass spectrometry (MS). It is a highly sensitive technique and has applications across a wide range of industries including biotechnology, pharmaceutical, agrochemical and cosmetic industry.

The analyte (mix of liquids) is separated using liquid chromatography into different components followed by mass spectrometry that provides spectral information to help identify or confirm each of the separated components.

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is an analytical technique that can be used to measure elements at trace levels in the biological fluids. In this technique, the liquid sample is nebulised and a fine aerosol is formed which is transferred through a high temperature plasma generating ions. The extracted ions are then passed through the mass analyser that separates the ions according to their mass-charge ratio.

High sensitivity, low sample volume, large analytical range, high resolution, high sample throughout in the laboratory are some of the known advantages for this technique. The technique is well utilised in industrial and biological monitoring for metal analysis, pharmaceutical industry for detecting impurities in formulations and preparations and medical and forensic field.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a laboratory based nucleic acid based testing (commonly known as molecular testing) used to diagnose infectious diseases and genetic changes. The technique is used in research and clinical practices to amplify small segments of the genetic material. The technique is highly accurate and sensitive. The technique detects the genetic material (DNA or RNA) of the infectious agent (a virus in case of COVID-19).

During a PCR test, a small amount of genetic material in a sample (blood, mucus, saliva) is copied multiple times. The process during which the genetic material is copied is called amplification. Short sequences called primers are used to selectively amplify a DNA or RNA sequence. Amplification makes it easy to detect the presence of the pathogen in the sample.  In a PCR test, the sample is collected. The sample contains the DNA and is amplified in the presence of an enzyme called polymerase. The amplification is repeated multiple times to make about a billion copies. If a virus or a pathogen is present, its presence will be indicated and therefore help identify the infection.

Monoclonal Antibody-Based Immunoassay 
Monoclonal antibody – based immunoassay is our preliminary drug detection technique to selectively detect levels of specific drugs in biological fluid specimens. Immunoassay is based on the binding reaction of a target substance, known as an antigen, with its respective antibody. These antibodies identify and bind to specific natural and synthetic antigens present in the body including drugs. This mechanism is similar to a single key being specifically made to open a single lock. The immunoassay used to detect preliminary drug contents is based on the principle of competitive binding. Prior to the test, a fixed antibody is bound by a substitute molecule known as a conjugate. If the presence of a drug is detected, the drug antigen in the sample will displace the substitute molecule as it has competed for binding with its specific antibody; this event produces a detectable signal.