Duquesne University, Agilent Technologies Establish Mass Spectrometry Centre of Excellence to Study Diseases

03-12-2010: Duquesne University and Agilent Technologies Inc. announced that they have established a Centre of Excellence (COE) for mass spectrometry at the university. The facility enables a wide range of research in the life sciences and environmental analysis, including:

- metabolomics and trace lipid analysis, the effects of chronic exposure to heavy metals;

- how residues of some veterinary drugs affect the food chain;

- analysis of toxins in food;

- identifying biomarkers for autism;

- factors affecting the immune system;

- researching inherited “knock-out diseases” like Fabry’s disease; and

- an area of study called “environmental proteomics” (e.g. the protein profiles of organisms as they’re exposed to different environmental compounds).

"Researchers at Duquesne University are doing fascinating work aimed at solving important problems, and we’re very pleased to be part of the team,” said Gustavo Salem, Agilent vice president and general manager, Biological Systems Division.