Automated non-stepwise preparation of bioanalytical calibration standards and quality controls using an ultra-low volume digitizing liquid dispenser.

RATIONALE Stepwise preparation of calibration standards and quality controls (QCs) is one of the most routine and laborious steps in bioanalysis. An alternative non-contact dispenser using low picoliter digitized dispensing technology is evaluated for its application in non-stepwise preparation of calibration curve and QCs in bioanalysis. METHODS Fluorescein was initially used to assess the accuracy and precision of dispense volumes with fluorescent measurement. Various concentrations of MX-1, an in-house proprietary small molecule compound, in neat solution and in dog plasma were prepared manually with calibrated pipettors and digitally by the digital dispenser. The plasma samples were extracted by protein precipitation. The resultant extracted samples and neat solutions of MX-1 were analyzed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) using an electrospray ionization (ESI) source in positive ion mode with selected reaction monitoring (SRM) of the mass transitions. RESULTS In the three-day precision and accuracy assessment of dispensing volumes between 13 pL to 411.2 nL, the intra-day precision and accuracy ranged from 1.4% to 10.3% and –12.7% to 12.8%, respectively. The inter-day precision and accuracy ranged from 3.5% to 7.8% and –6.6% to 10.4%, respectively. For real analysis of in vivo study samples, all 49 samples analyzed showed a less than 5% difference between calibrations with digital and manual curve preparations. The resultant pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were physiologically comparable as well. CONCLUSIONS Using the digitized picoliter dispensing technology, high-speed automated precise and accurate dispense of a wide range of volumes can be achieved and tests for bioanalytical standards and QC preparations passed the stringent criteria set forth for regulated bioanalysis using LC/MS/MS-based technology. The digital dispenser has been found to be a useful tool in drug discovery for automatically preparing standards and QCs in seconds with low consumption of stock solutions and blank matrices. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.