Accelerator mass spectrometry is a detection platform with exceptional sensitivity compared with other bioanalytical platforms. Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is widely used in archeology for radiocarbon dating applications. Early exploration of the biological and pharmaceutical applications of AMS began in the early 1990s. AMS has since demonstrated unique problem-solving ability in nutrition science, toxicology and pharmacology. AMS has also enabled the development of new applications, such as Phase 0 microdosing. Recent development of AMS-enabled applications has transformed this novelty research instrument to a valuable tool within the pharmaceutical industry. Although there is now greater awareness of AMS technology, recognition and appreciation of the range of AMS-enabled applications is still lacking, including study-design strategies. This review aims to provide further insight into the wide range of AMS-enabled applications. Examples of studies conducted over the past two decades will be presented, as well as prospects for the future of AMS.The Ebers papyrus, written in Egypt in the 16th Century BC, lists the extensive pharmacopeia of that civilization. Included in the writings are beer, turpentine, myrrh, juniper berries, poppy, lead, salt and crushed precious stones. Also included were products derived from animals, such as lizard's blood, swine teeth and goose grease. From ancient China comes evidence of that culture's extensive efforts to heal through the use of natural products. The Pen Tsao, or Great Herbal, comprised 40 volumes describing thousands of prescriptions [1].It is curious to note that the same techniques that established the age of these written artifacts are now being used to quantify the kinetics and distribution of the pharmacopeia of this civilization. Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) established itself as an indispensable tool in archeology and radiocarbon dating in the 1980s. This article summarizes two decades of AMS research applied to the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields, with special focus on radiocarbon-based AMS applications.For reprint orders, please contact reprints@future-science.com.
Financial & competing interests disclosureThe author is employed by Accium BioSciences, a provider of accelerator mass spectrometry services to the pharmaceutical industry, where he has stock ownership, stock options and patents pending. The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.
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Author ManuscriptBioanalysis. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2010 November 1.
Published in final edited form as:Bioanalysis. 2010 ; 2(3): 519-541.
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