Applications of non-targeted analysis in serum samples from pregnant women. Characterizing the exposome and discovering lesser-known or previously unknown exposures

Technological advances in high-resolution mass spectrometry have enabled us to screen environmental and biological samples for a broad spectrum of chemicals that would otherwise remain undetected with conventional techniques. Such approaches where samples are screened in a non-targeted fashion, allow us to more comprehensively characterize the human exposome, especially in critical periods of development. In this study, we analysed 295 maternal and 295 cord blood samples (total n = 590) to examine differences in chemical abundance between maternal and cord and to examine the associations of exogenous compounds to endogenous metabolites. An example of these associations was the relationship between poly and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and endogenous fatty acids in both maternal and cord samples indicating interactions between PFAS, and enzymes involved in lipid synthesis. 

Dimitri Abrahamsson is an Assistant Professor at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine where he studies chemical exposures using non-targeted analysis. His work focuses on developing experimental and computational methods to assist in structure elucidation and semi-quantification for compounds that lack analytical standards. Previously, he worked as a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, San Francisco and at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He received his PhD from Stockholm University in Sweden.