New DSL "MassQL" lets scientists query mass spectrometry data

Biologists and chemists have a new programming language to uncover previously unknown environmental pollutants at breakneck speed – without requiring them to code. By making it easier to search massive chemical datasets, the tool has already identified toxic compounds hidden in plain sight. UCR computer scientist Mingxun Wang in his laboratory. Wang created the new programming language for scientists. (Stan Lim/UCR) Mass spectrometry data is like a chemical fingerprint, showing scientists what molecules are in a sample such as air, water, or blood, and in what amounts. It helps identify everything from pollutants in water to chemicals in new medicines. Developed at UC Riverside, Mass Query Language, or MassQL, functions like a search engine for mass spectrometry data, enabling researchers to find patterns that would otherwise require advanced programming skills. Technical details about the language, and an example of how it helped identify flame retardant chemicals in public waterwa ... Read full article.