The Ministry of Science and Higher Education has awarded a grant of 2 592 950 PLN for the implementation of the project titled: “Purchase of a high-performance liquid chromatograph coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using blood samples collected via the volumetric absorption micro-sampling (VAMS) method.”

Thanks to this new funding, we are launching a research program based on state-of-the-art analytical technologies. We are investing in infrastructure that will allow us to reach a world-class level in therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in children. The Laboratory of Therapeutic Monitoring, Clinical Pharmacokinetics, and Toxicology is a leading laboratory in the world utilizing microsampling techniques.

The key to our research is the combination of high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) of the highest sensitivity. What does this change?

Extreme sensitivity: we detect drugs and toxicity biomarkers in micro-samples of just 10–20 μl of blood (VAMS technique).
Multiparameter analysis: a single analytical run allows us to simultaneously determine several therapeutic substances and markers (e.g., immunosuppressive drugs and creatinine).
Compliance with ICH/EMA standards: our methods will undergo full analytical validation, testing linearity, analyte recovery, and matrix effects under the most demanding conditions.

NLME modeling: data from the devices will feed into advanced pharmacokinetic models in the Phoenix NLME and NONMEM software, enabling precise dosing of off-label medications.

Thanks to this investment, we are eliminating the need for repeated collection of large blood volumes from newborns and children following transplants. We are laying the groundwork for a digital remote TDM platform by integrating results with medical systems.