Revolutionizing Pollutant Detection: MassQL, the No-Code Programming Language

Researchers at UC Riverside have developed MassQL, a new programming language that allows biologists and chemists to rapidly identify environmental pollutants without coding. Functioning like a search engine for mass spectrometry data, MassQL empowers researchers to find patterns previously requiring advanced programming skills. Already, it has identified flame retardants in waterways and unearthed previously unknown compounds. Overcoming the challenge of unifying chemist and computer scientist terminology, MassQL boasts over 30 applications, from detecting alcohol poisoning markers to finding ‘forever chemicals’ in playgrounds, revolutionizing environmental science research.