Women in science: making automated mass spectrometry possible

In 2012, while heading up biosensor research projects funded by the European Union, she decided to switch from academia to industry, wanting to see the tangible impact of her work on patients’ lives. 

Now, more than a decade into her tenure at Roche Diagnostics, Schlichtiger is playing a part in changing one of the pillars of clinical diagnostics. Mass spectrometry – a method of measuring precise levels of hormones, drugs and other substances in the body – could soon be introduced into routine testing, thanks to groundbreaking technological advances delivered by Schlichtiger and her colleagues on the Roche Diagnostics team.

Schlichtiger joined the mass spectrometry project in 2021. It was in the long, grinding days of the pandemic, when teams were still separated by social distancing rules and intermittent lockdowns. Like so many others, Schlichtiger was at home. With her were her husband and her four children, aged 6, 4, and twins of 2.  

As if that scenario wasn’t challenging enough, her job was to lead a subchapter of 55 people, focused on making the transition from research to development. With the project already several years into its journey, it was reaching a pivotal moment. For the first time, they would be able to run real samples on their automation technology.

The stakes were high. Other companies had tried to develop this kind of technology before, but the automation of mass spectrometry poses immense technical challenges, and previous attempts had fallen short 

This time was different.

The first tests were run encountering minor problems that were quickly resolved. The team had bridged the river, and the fully- automated workflow was up and running.

The difference, says Schlichtiger, was the people: their laser-like focus on the same goal, and a shared belief in the technology and one another. She calls it a matter of trust. 

Mindset and culture played a part too. It was important to her to create a space where diverse views were welcomed and speaking up was the norm. It was this combination of people, mutual trust and an inclusive culture that enabled the team to collaboratively tackle and solve the challenges that others before them had struggled to overcome. 

Now, with mass spectrometry beginning to enter routine clinical practice, the real potential of the team’s work is about to be realised. For Schlichtiger, it’s the moment when all the hard work pays off.

“This is the reason we do what we do,” she notes. “Mass spectrometry offers a level of detail that means doctors can understand precisely how a person’s body is reacting to a medicine, or the underlying mechanisms driving disease,” she notes. “Making this technology widely available could change the course of care, and deliver the best possible outcomes for patients.”  

Until now, mass spectrometry had only been available via specialist labs, where highly trained staff process a relatively small number of samples using their own methods and a varying range of measurements. Automated mass spec technology can be deployed at scale in all manner of settings, requiring little manual intervention. As well as standardising results across labs, it also allows a large volume of samples to be processed, cutting turnaround times from weeks to hours. 

The impact could be significant, with the technology offering a new depth of insight into diseases including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hypertension and epilepsy. With greater understanding comes better clinical decisions, and the chance to personalise treatment to each patient.

The successful automation of mass spectrometry isn't just a technical achievement – it's a giant leap forward in medical technology. As the world increasingly recognises the foundational role of diagnostics in supporting robust health systems and healthy communities, it’s one of a number of important advances that are shifting the focus from treating sickness to promoting and maintaining health.  

“This is only the beginning,” says Schlichtiger. “With every new breakthrough, we move closer to a future where healthcare is more proactive and personalised, improving patient outcomes and quality of life.”

Through their pioneering efforts, Schlichtiger and her team are forging a new path for diagnostics, one that promises to transform patient care, and improve the health of countless people around the world.