As performance-enhancing drugs have evolved from small molecules to substances that traditional test methods cannot detect, Quotient Bioresearch is developing a biomarker-based approach to test not for specific molecules in a horse's system but for biological changes that could be indications of doping.

The firm, which is seeking Chapter 11 protection, began May with $568,930 but spent $204,802 during the month, including $158,098 in administrative expenses.

Lee Hartwell, Thomas Caskey

Using a mass spectrometry-based approach, researchers from Ohio State University performed a functional proteomics analysis that provides the most complete picture yet of the mechanisms involved in beef tenderness and that may eventually lead to a more precise method for predicting tenderness.

In an evaluation on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line cultured in 17-beta estradiol and tamoxifen, the method detected 530 proteins and quantified 230 of them. The researchers selected 16 differentially expressed proteins "demonstrating the potential of iTRAQ/PQD-MS for biomarker discovery applications."

In a research note, Isaac Ro of Leerink Swann noted that Waters pioneered the UHPLC category with the Acquity "and has a considerable leadership position, a large installed base, and a wide menu of proprietary columns."