Overview
FASST provides indexed tandem mass-spectral searching used by GNPS2 repository-search services. Its documented API supports querying indexed spectra and retrieving matches. Index coverage and service versions should be reported with any analysis.
Also known as: Fast Search Tool, FASST Records, FASSTrecords
What can this tool do?
Common uses
- Search indexed public MS/MS collections in seconds rather than scanning repositories serially.
- Provide the fast-search backend used by MASST and domain-specific MASST applications.
- Support programmatic repository-scale spectral search through GNPS2 services.
- Retrieve indexed spectral matches through the web interface or documented API for downstream metadata analysis.
Scientific fit
Primary function
Reference data and database search
Other functions
Spectral processing and comparison, Data management and sharing
Analysis types
Untargeted metabolomics, Metabolite profiling
MS level
MS/MS
Acquisition
Data-dependent acquisition (DDA), Targeted MS/MS, General or unspecified acquisition
Ion mobility
Ion mobility not required
Data compatibility
Inputs
Mass spectra
Outputs
Mass spectra, Sample metadata, Human-readable report
Input formats
MGF, Universal Spectrum Identifier (USI) or JSON peak list
Output formats
CSV or TSV
Scope and considerations
Designed for
- High-throughput exact/analog tandem mass-spectral searching across very large indexed collections.
Not designed for
- Finding compounds that are absent from the selected spectral index, or proving absence from a sample.
Important requirements
- A centroided query MS/MS spectrum or compatible query identifier and appropriate similarity/tolerance settings.
Considerations
- FASST is infrastructure as well as a user-facing search service; many researchers encounter it indirectly through MASST-derived applications.
- The content and versions of public indexes change over time.
- Report the selected index, search date, precursor and fragment tolerances, similarity threshold and whether analog mode was enabled.
Access and documentation
Hosted access and any account or usage requirements should be checked at the linked service. Access to a web service does not establish the license of its code or reference data.
Evidence and review
Documentation-based editorial pass on 6 September 2026: scope, interpretation limits and practical use reviewed against the linked official documentation and cited literature. Software execution, service availability and developer verification were not assessed. Publication-scope audit on 8 September 2026: no dedicated FASST publication was confirmed. Cite the documented service and the method actually used; the MASST+/Networking+ paper is not attributed to FASST.
No dedicated scholarly publication is listed. Follow the official documentation and resource-specific citation guidance.
Related tools
Entry history
Changes to this catalogue entry, not the tool's software release history. Acceptance and editorial review are separate.
- 2026-09-08 · Entry update
Audit core publications across existing tools
View change · Entry at this revision - 2026-09-07 · Entry update
Expand and document 31 metabolomics tools and resources
View change · Entry at this revision - 2026-08-24 · First committed entry
Complete GNPS SIRIUS and MZmine tool ecosystems
View change · Entry at this revision