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

Article

Video

Environment

Scientific article

Interview

Science and research

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.

CATRIN

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.

Organomation

Waters/Wyatt ViscoStar HPLC viscometer

Waters ViscoStar is a highly sensitive, on-line differential viscometer used in conjunction with SEC-MALS-IV to determine the size and conformation of all types of biopolymers, synthetic polymers and even proteins and peptides.

<h4>Highly Sensitive</h4>A highly sensitive, on-line differential viscometer used in conjunction with SEC-MALS-IV to determine the size and conformation of all types of biopolymers, synthetic polymers and even proteins and peptides.<h4>Multiple Novel Technologies</h4>The ViscoStar incorporates multiple novel technologies to provide the highest sensitivity, stability and solvent compatibility of any available viscometer for GPC. Its ease-of-use and serviceability make it the perfect companion for Wyatt's DAWN™ light scattering and Optilab™ refractive index detectors.<h4>Another path to polymer and protein characterization: SEC-MALS-IV</h4>When coupled with size-exclusion chromatography and a concentration detector such as the Optilab™ , the ViscoStar derives the intrinsic viscosity (IV) of polymers. An inherently valuable physico-chemical property in itself, IV is best utilized together with molar mass information from multi-angle light scattering (SEC-MALS-IV) to derive the hydrodynamic radius, conformation, and branching ratio of a macromolecule in solution.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Waters_Visco_Star_pump_pulse_suppression_with_inset_e8c2fbfc18.jpg" alt="Waters ViscoStar: Patented pulse compensation technology in the ViscoStar eliminates pump fluctuations. At the hardware level, the bridge is impedance matched for dynamic balance, greatly reducing the effect of pump pulses. An additional layer of software filtering eliminates residual pump pulses." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Waters_Visco_Star_pump_pulse_suppression_with_inset_e8c2fbfc18.jpg 233w," sizes="100vw" width="348" height="233"><h5>Key benefits of the ViscoStar</h5><ul><li>High sensitivity, equivalent to 100 ng of 100 kDa polystyrene in THF at 1.0 mL/min injected onto a standard GPC column</li><li>High dynamic range of over 135,000:1. The full measurement range corresponds to over 13 mg/mL of 100 kDa polystyrene in THF</li><li>Extended solvent compatibility with all-316 stainless steel transducers</li><li>Temperature range from 4 °C to 70 °C for polymers or proteins that require a range of temperatures</li><li>Minimal band broadening thanks to fast pressure transducers</li><li>Pump pulse suppression to below 4 Pa (hardware alone) or 1 Pa (hardware + software) without loss of chromatographic resolution</li><li>Automated capillary bridge tuning with no moving parts, to guarantee a perfectly balanced bridge, every run</li><li>Enhanced thermal stability with drift of &lt;2.5 Pa/hour</li></ul><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Waters_Visco_Star_cmc_plga_intrinsic_viscosity_graphs_be99c5d115.jpg" alt="Waters ViscoStar: The ViscoStar provides the highest available dynamic range and sensitivity in online viscometry. This graph shows the intrinsic viscosities of 1) poly(lactic co-glycolic acid), or PLGA, in THF and 2) carboxymethyl cellulose, or CMC, in aqueous mobile phase, both measured with a ViscoStar and Optilab, spanning a range from tens to thousands of mL/g. The same instruments readily measure intrinsic viscosity values in the low single digits with excellent signal-to-noise, even at very low concentrations." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Waters_Visco_Star_cmc_plga_intrinsic_viscosity_graphs_be99c5d115.jpg 236w," sizes="100vw" width="406" height="268"><h5>SEC-IV without MALS?</h5>Yes, as much as we love MALS for optimal polymer analysis, it's true that there are occasions when it just won't fit the bill.Universal calibration is a parallel technique to SEC-MALS for determining molecular weight, commonly used to characterize linear polymers. While universal calibration overcomes some of the problematic issues associated with column calibration by reference molecules, it does not account for non-ideal column behavior caused by chemical solute-column interactions or hyperbranching.Universal calibration is particularly-well suited to replace MALS for:<ul><li>Strongly fluorescent polymers, in particular those not adequately addressed by a DAWN™ with long-wavelength (785 nm) laser or a standard DAWN (685 nm) with fluorescence-blocking filters.</li><li>Weakly-scattering polymer/solvent systems with very low dn/dc values</li></ul>The Mark-Houwink-Sakurada relationship makes use of empirical relationships between intrinsic viscosity and molar mass, specific to each polymer and solvent, to estimate molar mass from SEC-IV measurements. Of course, the best way to determine MHS coefficients is to measure them using SEC-MALS-IV and ASTRA™!<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Waters_Visco_Star_v3_protein_rh_measurements_0951d3769a.jpg" alt="Waters ViscoStar: Three IgG proteins with similar MWs eluted at different elution volumes. To understand their different elution properties, online DLS is typically used to measure the hydrodynamic radius, R h , of a protein. However, online DLS did not provide reliable insights, in this case due to the relatively high experimental uncertainty of the DLS. The precise Rh values obtained with a MALS detector and the ViscoStar III, on the other hand, clearly revealed the causes. IgG B eluted later than IgG A due to its more compact structure; IgG C had a slight interaction with the SEC column." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Waters_Visco_Star_v3_protein_rh_measurements_0951d3769a.jpg 237w," sizes="100vw" width="401" height="264"><h4>Specifications</h4><h5>Measurement Capabilities – Differential Viscosity</h5><ul><li>Sensitivity: Detects as little as 0.1 µg of 100 kDa polystyrene in THF at 1 mL/min under typical GPC conditions.</li><li>Differential Pressure Performance:<ul><li>Noise: &lt; 0.05 Pa</li><li>Range: 6.9 kPa, with built-in overpressure protection</li><li>Drift: &lt; 2.5 Pa/hr</li><li>Linearity: Within 0.5% of full scale</li><li>Dynamic Range: 135,000:1</li></ul></li><li>Capillary Bridge Autobalance: Thermally regulated, leak-free mechanism ensures stable baseline and precision.</li><li>Sample Shear Rate: Up to 5000 Hz with water at 1 mL/min</li></ul><h5>Fluidics and Flow Compatibility</h5><ul><li>Maximum Flow Rate:<ul><li>Aqueous: 1.5 mL/min</li><li>THF: 3 mL/min</li></ul></li><li>Delay Volume Options: Configurable at 16.2, 10.8, or 5.4 mL; optional factory-installed upgrade to 32.4 mL (Note: actual column fluid volume is approx. half the listed value)</li><li>Maximum Inlet-to-Outlet Pressure: 690 kPa</li><li>Wetted Materials: 316 stainless steel, PTFE, zirconium silicate, Kalrez, Inconel, and 26-1 stainless steel – all selected for chemical resistance and long-term durability</li></ul><h5>Temperature Control</h5><ul><li>Operating Range: 4 °C to 70 °C</li><li>Stability: Maintains temperature within &lt; 0.005 °C for precise measurements</li><li>Ambient Conditions: 0 °C to 40 °C; relative humidity 20% to 70%</li></ul><h5>Electronics and Connectivity</h5><ul><li>Digital Output: 20-bit resolution at 10 Hz for high-fidelity data</li><li>Auxiliary I/O:<ul><li>Inputs: Autoinject contact closure, Alarm In, and 2 analog inputs (18-bit, ±10 V)</li><li>Outputs: Autoinject retransmit, Alarm Out, Recycle Out</li></ul></li><li>Communication Interface: Ethernet for seamless integration into lab networks and data systems</li></ul><h5>User Interface</h5><ul><li>Front Panel Display: 7” (178 mm) high-resolution capacitive touchscreen for monitoring signals, diagnostics, and adjusting settings with ease</li></ul><h5>Instrument Dimensions</h5><ul><li>Size: 58 cm (L) × 36 cm (W) × 18 cm (H)</li></ul><h4>Other Viscometers</h4><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products/1267">microViscoStar™ </a>- Similar to the ViscoStar but designed specifically for use with UHPLC/APC.</li></ul>

Waters/Wyatt microViscoStar viscometer

The Waters microViscoStar incorporates multiple novel technologies to provide the highest sensitivity, stability and solvent compatibility of any available viscometer for UHPLC. 

<h4>Highly Sensitive</h4>A highly sensitive, on-line differential viscometer used with SEC-MALS-IV to determine the size and conformation of polymers, proteins and peptides separated by UHPLC.<h4>Multiple Novel Technologies</h4>The microViscoStar™ incorporates multiple novel technologies to provide the highest sensitivity, stability and solvent compatibility of any available viscometer for UHPLC. Its ease-of-use and serviceability make it the perfect companion for Wyatt's microDAWN™ light scattering and microOptilab™ refractive index detectors for UHPLC.<h4>Another path to polymer and protein characterization: SEC-MALS-IV</h4>When coupled with size-exclusion chromatography and a concentration detector such as the Optilab™ , the microViscoStar derives the intrinsic viscosity (IV) of polymers. An inherently valuable physico-chemical property in itself, IV is best utilized together with molar mass information from multi-angle light scattering (SEC-MALS-IV) to derive the hydrodynamic radius, conformation, and branching ratio of a macromolecule in solution.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Waters_Visco_Star_pump_pulse_suppression_with_inset_e8c2fbfc18.jpg" alt="Waters microViscoStar: Patented pulse compensation technology in the microViscoStar eliminates pump fluctuations. At the hardware level, the bridge is impedance-matched for dynamic balance, greatly reducing the effect of pump pulses. An additional layer of software filtering eliminates residual pump pulses." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Waters_Visco_Star_pump_pulse_suppression_with_inset_e8c2fbfc18.jpg 233w," sizes="100vw" width="348" height="233"><h5>Key benefits of the ViscoStar</h5><ul><li>High sensitivity, equivalent to 5 ng of 100 kDa polystyrene in THF at 1.0 mL/min injected onto a standard GPC column</li><li>High dynamic range of over 135,000:1. The full measurement range corresponds to over 13 mg/mL of 100 kDa polystyrene in THF</li><li>Extended solvent compatibility with all-316 stainless steel transducers</li><li>Temperature range from 4 °C to 70 °C for polymers or proteins that require a range of temperatures</li><li>Minimal band broadening thanks to fast pressure transducers</li><li>Pump pulse suppression to below 4 Pa (hardware alone) or 1 Pa (hardware + software) without loss of chromatographic resolution</li><li>Automated capillary bridge tuning with no moving parts, to guarantee a perfectly balanced bridge, every run</li><li>Enhanced thermal stability with drift of &lt;1.25 Pa/hour</li></ul><h4>SEC-IV without MALS?</h4>Yes, as much as we love MALS for optimal polymer analysis, it's true that there are occasions when it just won't fit the bill.Universal calibration is a parallel technique to SEC-MALS for determining molecular weight, commonly used to characterize linear polymers. While universal calibration overcomes some of the problematic issues associated with column calibration by reference molecules, it does not account for non-ideal column behavior caused by chemical solute-column interactions or hyperbranching.Universal calibration is particularly-well suited to replace MALS for:<ul><li>Strongly fluorescent polymers</li><li>Weakly-scattering polymer/solvent systems with very low dn/dc values</li></ul>The Mark-Houwink-Sakurada relationship makes use of empirical relationships between intrinsic viscosity and molar mass, specific to each polymer and solvent, to estimate molar mass from SEC-IV measurements. Of course, the best way to determine MHS coefficients is to measure them using SEC-MALS-IV and ASTRA™<h4>Specifications</h4><h5>Measurement Capabilities – Differential Viscosity</h5><ul><li>Sensitivity: Detects as little as 5 ng of 100 kDa polystyrene in THF at 1 mL/min under typical UHPLC-SEC conditions.</li><li>Differential Pressure Performance:<ul><li>Noise: &lt; 0.05 Pa</li><li>Range: Up to 6.9 kPa, with overpressure protection</li><li>Drift: &lt; 1.25 Pa/hr</li><li>Linearity: Within 0.5% of full scale</li><li>Dynamic Range: 135,000:1</li></ul></li><li>Capillary Bridge Autobalance: Thermal, leak-free mechanism ensures stable baseline performance.</li><li>Sample Shear Rate: Up to 15,000 Hz with water at 1 mL/min for high-resolution viscosity profiling.</li></ul><h5>Fluidics and Compatibility</h5><ul><li>Maximum Flow Rate: Aqueous and THF: up to 1 mL/min (Note: Using an inline UV detector may reduce allowable flow rate.)</li><li>Delay Volume: 5.4 mL</li><li>Maximum Inlet-to-Outlet Pressure: 3000 kPa (435 psi)</li><li>Wetted Materials: 316 stainless steel, PTFE, zirconium silicate, Kalrez®, Inconel, 26-1 stainless steel, and nickel</li></ul><blockquote>Note: Due to the location of wetted components, this instrument is primarily recommended for use with organic solvents. High-ionic-strength buffers may cause corrosion.</blockquote><h5>Temperature Control</h5><ul><li>Operating Range: 4 °C to 70 °C</li><li>Stability: Maintains temperature within &lt; 0.005 °C</li><li>Ambient Conditions: 0 °C to 40 °C; 20% to 70% relative humidity</li></ul><h5>Electronics and Connectivity</h5><ul><li>Digital Output: 20-bit resolution at 10 Hz</li><li>Auxiliary I/O:<ul><li>Inputs: Autoinject contact closure, Alarm In, and 2 analog inputs (16-bit, ±10 V)</li><li>Outputs: Autoinject retransmit, Alarm Out, Recycle Out</li></ul></li><li>Communication Interface: Ethernet</li></ul><h5>User Interface</h5><ul><li>Front Panel Display: 7” (178 mm) high-resolution, capacitive multi-touch screen for real-time monitoring, configuration, and diagnostics</li></ul><h5>Instrument Dimensions</h5><ul><li>Size: 60 cm (L) × 36 cm (W) × 17 cm (H)</li></ul><h4>Other Viscometers</h4><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products/1117">ViscoStar™</a> - A highly sensitive, on-line differential viscometer used in conjunction with SEC-MALS to determine the size and conformation of all types of biopolymers, synthetic polymers and even proteins and peptides.</li><li>The ViscoStar incorporates multiple novel technologies to provide the highest sensitivity, stability and solvent compatibility of any available viscometer for GPC. Its ease-of-use and serviceability make it the perfect companion for Wyatt's DAWN® light scattering and Optilab® refractive index detectors. Temperature-controlled from 4 °C to 70 °C .</li></ul>

Products from category Viscometer detector focused on GPC/SEC distributed by Waters Corporation (Europe) - page 1

Related content

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

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

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