Meeting EU Drinking Water Standards: The Critical Role of Sample Prep in Trace Contaminant Analysis

Although modern agriculture needs to be based on accurate real-time data on soil, plant, and environmental conditions, affordable, sufficiently sensitive, and robust monitoring devices for this purpose are currently missing. According to scientists, low-cost sensors based on new smart materials and printing technologies offer a suitable solution. The results of multidisciplinary research thus far and proposals for the development of these devices have been presented by researchers from Czechia, Great Britain, Spain, and the USA in a review article in the prestigious journal <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-68778-6#Abs1">Nature Communications</a>.“Sensor technologies for monitoring plant health are still in their infancy. Only simple sensors capable of monitoring basic parameters such as pH, soil moisture, or temperature are commonly available on the market. However, if farmers are to face current challenges, including climate change, and ensure sufficient food for humanity, they need much more effective tools that will enable them to monitor, for example, various pathogens, including bacteria and fungi. In our opinion, a suitable solution is a combination of new smart materials and printing for the production of inexpensive, durable, and scalable materials,” said the article’s first author, David Panáček from CATRIN, who worked on the study during his internship at Imperial College London.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CATRIN_Soucasne_senzory_nestaci_Vedci_navrhuji_novou_cestu_ke_sledovani_zdravi_rostlin_b4014952a3.jpg" alt="CATRIN: David Panáček" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CATRIN_Soucasne_senzory_nestaci_Vedci_navrhuji_novou_cestu_ke_sledovani_zdravi_rostlin_b4014952a3.jpg 208w," sizes="100vw" width="1536" height="1152">Sensors for monitoring plant health, for example, lag behind similar devices used in human medicine. According to the authors, advances in materials science, which will enable the development of scalable sensor technologies, play a key role in this potential shift. “Printing techniques, including inkjet printing, screen printing, aerosol printing, 3D printing, and direct laser writing, offer flexible ways to produce flexible sensors, large-area sensors, and sensors integrated directly into plants. The review article summarizes recent advances in printable low-dimensional materials for agricultural sensors, analyzes their physico-chemical properties in relation to sensor performance, and discusses key challenges and future opportunities requiring interdisciplinary integration,” said one of the corresponding authors, Michal Otyepka.The research brought together materials scientists, chemists, biologists, sensing experts, and printing technology specialists. Materials research and the use of graphene-based smart materials were led by scientists from CATRIN at Palacký University and VŠB-Technical University of Ostrava. Plant biologists from CATRIN contributed their knowledge of plant development, their responses to stress conditions, and the monitoring of their properties. Researchers from Imperial College London took care of the electronics, while representatives from<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/companies/36"> CEITEC – VUT</a> focused on printing technologies. The team also included leading experts in sensing from the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Barcelona, and Joseph Wang of the University of California San Diego, the “father of sensing and electrochemistry,” also contributed his extensive knowledge.“This is a groundbreaking study on this topic, which has managed to attract some truly big names in their respective fields. Last but not least, the study demonstrates that interdisciplinarity at CATRIN gives rise to completely new and promising research topics, such as plant sensing and its use for studying plant-environment interactions and smart agriculture,” added another corresponding author, Nuria De Diego.

Current sensors are not good enough. Scientists propose a new way to monitor plant health

In this episode of the Concentrating on Chromatography podcast, host David Oliva interviews Ainslie Chen about her cutting-edge research on hemoglobin variant testing using liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HR-MS). Ainslie discusses her novel method for separating and identifying hemoglobin subunits with mass shifts less than 1 Da, overcoming critical limitations in conventional clinical assays.Hear firsthand how her team developed an LC-HR-MS workflow using a C4 reversed-phase column, tackled technical challenges (including why C18 columns fell short), and achieved unprecedented sensitivity for variant detection in both adult and neonatal samples. The conversation touches on the potential of mass spectrometry to revolutionize clinical diagnostics, the importance of reproducibility, barriers to adoption in routine labs, and how teamwork drives scientific innovation.Perfect for analytical chemists, clinical laboratorians, and anyone interested in the future of protein variant analysis, this episode also features Ainslie’s advice for early-career scientists and insights from her first ACS poster presentation.<h4>Key Highlights:</h4><ul><li>Motivation behind improving hemoglobinopathy testing &nbsp;</li><li>Technical advantages of LC-HR-MS over gene sequencing and CE &nbsp;</li><li>The crucial role of the C4 column in resolving challenging samples &nbsp;</li><li>Critical parameters for reproducible LC-HR-MS workflows &nbsp;</li><li>Barriers and outlook for clinical adoption of advanced mass spectrometry &nbsp;</li><li>The value of teamwork and mentorship in scientific research &nbsp;</li><li>Direct insights from recent ACS conference experiences</li></ul><h3>Video transcription</h3>In this interview, Ainslie Chen discusses her research on improving the detection and identification of hemoglobin variants using liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). The work addresses limitations of conventional hemoglobinopathy testing, which often struggles to resolve very small mass differences between closely related hemoglobin subunits. Because even a single amino-acid substitution can significantly alter hemoglobin structure and function, high analytical resolution is essential for accurate diagnosis of conditions such as anemia and sickle cell disease.Chen explains why her team selected LC-HRMS over established clinical techniques like capillary electrophoresis and gene sequencing. While sequencing offers excellent accuracy, it is time-consuming, costly, and requires extensive sample preparation, making it impractical for routine clinical workflows. Capillary electrophoresis enables subunit separation but lacks the resolving power needed to distinguish variants differing by less than one Dalton. In contrast, high-resolution mass spectrometry provides both structural specificity and sensitivity, enabling confident identification of subtle hemoglobin variants with minimal sample preparation.A key methodological insight from the project was the use of a C4 reversed-phase LC column instead of the more common C18 column. Chen describes how the shorter carbon chain and larger pore size of C4 columns improved protein elution and reduced denaturation, leading to more reproducible separations. Critical parameters for reproducibility included consistent mobile-phase composition (0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile), controlled temperature (60 °C for LC, ~320 °C capillary temperature), and stable chromatographic conditions.Beyond hemoglobin analysis, Chen highlights the broader potential of high-resolution mass spectrometry in proteoform analysis and clinical diagnostics, including emerging applications in cancer detection. She acknowledges current barriers to clinical adoption—such as energy demands and instrument infrastructure—but points to advances like miniaturized mass spectrometers as promising steps toward wider use. The interview concludes with advice for young scientists: don’t hesitate to reach out to mentors, embrace collaboration, and view analytical chemistry as a versatile tool that bridges medicine, biology, environmental science, and beyond.<blockquote>This text has been automatically transcribed from a video presentation using AI technology. It may contain inaccuracies and is not guaranteed to be 100% correct.</blockquote><blockquote><h4>Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast</h4>Dive into the frontiers of chromatography, mass spectrometry, and sample preparation with host David Oliva. Each episode features candid conversations with leading researchers, industry innovators, and passionate scientists who are shaping the future of analytical chemistry. From decoding PFAS detection challenges to exploring the latest in AI-assisted liquid chromatography, this show uncovers practical workflows, sustainability breakthroughs, and the real-world impact of separation science. Whether you’re a chromatographer, lab professional, or researcher you'll discover inspiring content!You can find Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast in podcast apps:<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1wZg67rCjoGju4yhqxI3tL">Spotify</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/tz/podcast/concentrating-on-chromatography/id1788429185">Apple podcast</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podscan.fm/podcasts/concentrating-on-chromatography">podscan</a></li></ul>and on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/@ChromatographyTalk/videos">YouTube channel</a></blockquote>

Unlocking Hemoglobin Variant Detection: LC-HR-MS Breakthrough with Ainslie Chen

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The Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute (CATRIN) at Palacký University is a cutting-edge scientific hub dedicated to advancing research in the fields of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and biomedicine. At its core, CATRIN boasts outstanding scientific teams, featuring international researchers. We emphasize interdisciplinarity, foster global collaborations, and work to translate our research findings into practical applications.

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Organomation, founded in 1959, designs and manufactures high-quality nitrogen evaporators and extraction systems. Known for innovation and durability, their lab instruments are used globally for efficient sample preparation with strong customer support.

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Waters Charged Aerosol Detector (CAD)

Waters Charged Aerosol Detector (CAD) enables universal quantitation of non-volatile and semi-volatile compounds independent of UV activity, with wide dynamic range and seamless integration with Empower™ Software.

<h3>Expand Your Detection Range with a Detector Purpose-Built for Empower™ Software</h3>Empower™ Software–based laboratories require detection solutions that are easy to adopt, robust, and capable of accurately quantifying non-volatile and semi-volatile compounds—regardless of chemical structure or UV activity. The Waters Charged Aerosol Detector (CAD) is purposefully engineered to meet these demands, delivering universal, reliable detection fully integrated with Waters chromatography systems and Empower™ or MassLynx™ Software.With a wide dynamic range exceeding four orders of magnitude, the Waters CAD enables simultaneous quantitation of low-level, non-UV-active analytes, along with related impurities and excipients, in a single run—helping laboratories reduce method development time, increase productivity, and improve process control.<h4>Key Benefits</h4><ul><li>Universal detection without UV limitations Detect and quantify non-volatile and semi-volatile compounds independent of chromophore presence.</li><li>Wide dynamic range (&gt;4 orders of magnitude) Confidently quantify trace-level components and major constituents simultaneously.</li><li>Purpose-built for Empower™ Software Seamless integration into regulated workflows with Empower-based qualification and long-term software compatibility.</li><li>Compatible across Waters LC platforms Integrates easily with Alliance™, Arc™, ACQUITY™ Arc, ACQUITY™ H-Class, ACQUITY™ I-Class, and UPLC™ Systems.</li><li>Designed for robustness and ease of use Optimized hardware, simplified maintenance, and enhanced system protection features minimize downtime.</li></ul><h4>Technical Specifications</h4><h5>Detector Performance</h5><ul><li>Detector flow rate: 0.010–2.000 mL/min</li><li>Dynamic range: Greater than four orders of magnitude (four individual power values)</li><li>Sampling rate: Up to 200 Hz</li><li>Number of channels: Four (4), supported by four (4) independent background current channels</li></ul><h5>Temperature Control</h5><ul><li>Evaporation temperature:<ul><li>Ambient (off)</li><li>Controlled range: 10 °C to 100 °C (0.1 °C increments)</li><li>Minimum of 5 °C above ambient</li></ul></li></ul><h5>Gas Requirements</h5><ul><li>Inert gas supply: Nitrogen (recommended) or compressed air</li><li>Inlet pressure: 4.83–5.52 bar (483–552 kPa, 70.0–80.0 psi)</li><li>Gas consumption: Typically ≤ 5 L/min</li></ul><h5>Diagnostics and Monitoring</h5><ul><li>Diagnostic channels include:<ul><li>Nebulizer gas flow and pressure (psi)</li><li>Evaporator temperature (°C)</li><li>Ion trap voltage (V)</li><li>Charger current (µA)</li><li>Mixing chamber temperature (°C)</li></ul></li></ul><h5>Electrical and Physical Specifications</h5><ul><li>Power requirements: 100–240 VAC</li><li>Dimensions:<ul><li>Width: 34.3 cm (13.5 in)</li><li>Height: 20.8 cm (8.2 in)</li><li>Depth: 61.0 cm (24.0 in)</li></ul></li><li>Biocompatible: No</li></ul><h5>Software and System Compatibility</h5><ul><li>Optimized for Empower™ Software and MassLynx™ Software control</li><li>Robust chromatography data system (CDS) communications to minimize downtime</li><li>Backward compatibility to Empower™ 3 Feature Release 4 Service Release 3 (SR3)</li><li>Fully compatible with systems qualification and validation requirements in regulated environments</li></ul><h5>Seamless Method Transfer Across Laboratories</h5>The Waters CAD is designed to simplify method transfer within organizations and across external laboratories. It maintains method simplicity while adding enhanced tools for equivalency and reproducibility, reducing the need for revalidation when transitioning from legacy or third-party CAD solutions.The intuitive ACQUITY™ console control panel enables straightforward operation and simplifies replacement of outdated technology across laboratory networks.<h5>Designed for Ease of Use and Reliability</h5><ul><li>Single filter manifold with push/pull filter replacement</li><li>Easy-to-replace nebulizer for improved serviceability</li><li>Intelligent divert valve automatically sends flow to waste if gas pressure is lost or system errors occur</li><li>Enhanced leak detection and flood protection, safeguarding instruments in the event of CDS communication loss</li></ul><h5>Recommended Use</h5>Accurate quantitation in:<ul><li>HPLC, UHPLC, and UPLC separations</li><li>Preparative and purification workflows</li><li>Pharmaceutical QC and R&amp;D</li><li>Analysis of excipients, lipids, sugars, surfactants, and non-UV-active impurities</li></ul>

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Unlocking Hemoglobin Variant Detection: LC-HR-MS Breakthrough with Ainslie Chen

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