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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.

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

Phenomenex Prodigy Phenyl-Ethyl Column

Phenomenex's ethyl-phenyl polar column is a highly reproducible reversed-phase column for the analysis of basic, acidic and amphoteric compounds.

Highly reproducible reveresed phase columns for the analysis of basic, acidic and amphoteric compounds.<ul><li>PH-3: phenyl column with excellent aromatic and polar compound selectivity</li><li>3 μm ODS-3: high efficiency alternative to the 5 μm ODS-3 columns</li><li>Columns stable from pH 2 to 9</li></ul><h5>Other Packing material:</h5><ul><li>Prodigy ODS (2)</li><li>Prodigy C8</li><li>Prodigy ODS (3)</li></ul>

Phenomenex Kinetex Core-Shell Biphenyl Columns

Kinetex Biphenyl is a high-efficiency core-shell product capable of adding extra separation power to your analysis of non-polar and polar compounds. 

Enhanced Polar and Aromatic SelectivityKinetex Biphenyl is a high-efficiency core-shell product capable of adding extra separation power to your analysis of non-polar and polar compounds. Take advantage of multiple selectivity interaction mechanisms such as hydrophobic, pi-pi, and dipole-dipole to improve tough separations.<ul><li>Compatible with All Analytical HPLC/UHPLC Systems</li><li>Orthogonal Selectivity to C18 Phase</li><li>100 % Aqueous Mobile Phases Stable</li><li>USP: L11</li></ul><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Phenomenex_Kinetex_Core_Shell_Shell_Biphenyl_HPLC_Column_df8c120cb3.webp" alt="Phenomenex: Kinetex Core-Shell Biphenyl HPLC Column" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Phenomenex_Kinetex_Core_Shell_Shell_Biphenyl_HPLC_Column_df8c120cb3.webp 245w," sizes="100vw" width="500" height="150"><ul><li>Carbon Load: null %</li><li>Particle Size (μm): 1.7, 2.6, 5</li><li>Recommended Use: 100 % aqueous stable reversed phase chemistry with hydrophobic, aromatic, and enhanced polar selectivity</li></ul><h4>Novel Selectivity For Tough Separations</h4>Think high performance‚ enhanced retention‚ and the ability to go where a traditional C18 can’t. The Kinetex Biphenyl offers the high performance benefits of a core-shell particle with a unique stationary phase capable of becoming the go-to selectivity for reversed phase method development. Use Kinetex Biphenyl columns to get enhanced retention‚ higher sensitivity‚ and overall better results; especially for aromatic compounds.<h4>Aromatic Selectivity</h4>Compounds with aromatic ring structures offer a specific type of selectivity associated with pi-pi bond interaction. The compound’s aromaticity provides pi electrons that have the potential to interact with pi bonds, which can be found on phenyl based stationary phases. This provides a unique, orthogonal selectivity compared to a traditional C18 phase.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Phenomenex_Kinetex_Core_Shell_Biphenyl_Column_Aromatic_Selectivity_38c60ea30c.jpg" alt="Phenomenex: Kinetex Core-Shell Biphenyl Column - Aromatic Selectivity" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Phenomenex_Kinetex_Core_Shell_Biphenyl_Column_Aromatic_Selectivity_38c60ea30c.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="910" height="552"><h4>Increased Separation of Aromatic Compounds Using a Biphenyl Phase</h4>The elution order of analytes can change depending upon the predominate selectivity characteristics of a HPLC or UHPLC column and the utilized mobile phase. Therefore, by altering the stationary phase or mobile phase conditions, we can observe a unique elution order and extend retention of more polar analytes.<blockquote>Stationary phase Kinetex Core-Shell Biphenyl is provided in these column types: analytical and preparative</blockquote><h3>Kinetex Core-Shell Technology Columns</h3>Kinetex Core-Shell Technology delivers dramatic improvements in efficiency over conventional fully porous media, which can be leveraged to increase resolution, significantly improve productivity, reduce solvent consumption, and decrease costs. Whether you are running high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) methods, the Kinetex core-shell family can deliver shockingly improved performance over the current column you are using. Phenomenex designs, manufactures, and sells its very own silica and organo-silica core-shell particles.Advantages of Kinetex HPLC Columns<ul><li>Performance gains on ANY liquid chromatography system</li><li>System-to-system and lab-to-lab method portability</li><li>Improve the productivity of older, established methods.</li></ul><h4>How Does Core-Shell Technology Work?</h4>Core-shell technology in chromatography is a revolutionary approach that enhances the efficiency of HPLC systems while minimizing costs. Core-shell particles are designed with a solid, non-porous silica core surrounded by a porous outer layer. This unique structure allows for faster analyte mass transfer between the mobile and stationary phases, as diffusion occurs only through the thin, porous shell rather than the entire particle. This minimizes band broadening, leading to higher separation efficiency and sharper peaks.The consistency in size and shape of core-shell particles further enhances separation efficiency by reducing variability in analyte movement. As a result, core-shell HPLC columns provide high efficiency and resolution at lower backpressures, making them an ideal choice for labs looking to improve their existing HPLC systems without the need for costly UHPLC equipment.Core-shell technology thus offers a cost-effective alternative to upgrading to UHPLC systems, enabling labs to maximize the efficiency of their current HPLC setups. The formation of these particles through advanced sol-gel processing techniques ensures uniformity and reliability, making them a valuable tool in modern chromatography. By using the Kinetex HPLC column, laboratories can achieve faster analysis times and higher productivity while maintaining excellent separation performance.<h3>Kinetex Core-Shell Performance on Any LC System</h3>The 5 versatile particle sizes allow you to select the best fit for your instrument.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Phenomenex_HPLC_and_UHPLC_Kinetex_Core_Shell_Technology_Columns_5_particle_sizes_bbed75c36f.jpg" alt="Phenomenex: Five versatile particle sizes of Kinetex Core-Shell Technology Columns" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Phenomenex_HPLC_and_UHPLC_Kinetex_Core_Shell_Technology_Columns_5_particle_sizes_bbed75c36f.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1341" height="333"><h3>Particle Chemistry</h3>Using sol-gel processing techniques that incorporate nano-structuring technology, a durable, homogeneous porous shell is grown on a solid silica core to create a Kinetex Core-Shell particle. This particle morphology results in less band broadening for all four sources of UHPLC band broadening compared to fully porous particles and thus delivers extremely high efficiencies.<ul><li>Optimized for Ultra-High Performance</li><li>Superior Core-Shell Quality</li><li>Core-Shell Scalability and Portability</li></ul>Kinetex particles are characterized by an exceptionally consistent size distribution, with particles being nearly monodispersed, meaning they are uniform in size. This precise uniformity plays a crucial role in minimizing variability within the column, leading to enhanced separation efficiency and sharper peaks.The nearly monodispersed nature of these particles ensures that the flow of the mobile phase remains consistent, reducing the likelihood of irregularities that can impact results. As a result, Kinetex columns deliver highly reliable and reproducible performance, making them ideal for achieving consistent analytical outcomes acrLC Kinetex Core-Shell Technolooss various applications.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Phenomenex_HPLC_and_UHPLC_Kinetex_Core_Shell_Technology_Columns_Kinetex_Polar_C18_vs_Fully_Porous_phase_a2729b64e5.jpg" alt="Phenomenex: Kinetex Polar C18 vs Fully Porous phase" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Phenomenex_HPLC_and_UHPLC_Kinetex_Core_Shell_Technology_Columns_Kinetex_Polar_C18_vs_Fully_Porous_phase_a2729b64e5.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1376" height="581"><h3>Core-shell vs Fully Porous</h3><h4>High-Efficiency‚ High-Density Particle</h4>The combination of a consistent, solid, high-density core along with proprietary column packing technologies in the Kinetex HPLC column ensures optimum bed structure and high column performance. This carefully designed core structure promotes uniform packing of the particles, which is essential for minimizing band-broadening effects that can arise from Eddy Diffusion.The manufacturing process of Kinetex columns is tightly controlled, focusing on factors such as particle size distribution, surface and bonding homogeneity, and packing quality. This meticulous engineering leads to uniform packing and minimized band-broadening, resulting in superior separation efficiency.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Phenomenex_Core_shell_vs_Fully_Porous_60601b6fa3.jpg" alt="Phenomenex: Core-shell vs Fully Porous.jpg" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Phenomenex_Core_shell_vs_Fully_Porous_60601b6fa3.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="904" height="506"><h3>Expand Your Core-Shell Selectivity Toolbox</h3>Kinetex core-shell particle LC columns deliver exceptional performance enhancements across any LC system, offering unmatched efficiency and resolution. With a choice of 11 diverse stationary phases, these columns cater to a wide range of chromatographic applications, ensuring optimal separation for various analytes.Additionally, the availability of five versatile particle sizes allows for precise method tailoring, enabling both high-speed and high-resolution separations. Whether you're using HPLC or UHPLC systems, Kinetex columns provide the flexibility and performance needed to achieve superior analytical results.<h3>Top 5 Pros of Kinetex Core-Shell Technology</h3><ul><li>Productivity: Kinetex Core-Shell Technology significantly enhances method productivity with minimal effort. By simply replacing traditional, fully porous columns with Kinetex HPLC columns, users can achieve better resolution, sensitivity, and overall productivity without extensive method redevelopment. This easy switch allows for immediate improvements in chromatographic performance, making it a cost-effective upgrade to existing methods.</li><li>Portability The Kinetex Core-Shell columns are available in a range of particle sizes (1.3 µm to 5 µm), which ensures method portability across different HPLC and UHPLC systems. This scalability allows for consistent retention and selectivity across various particle sizes while accommodating different backpressure levels, making it easier to transfer methods between instruments.</li><li>Performance Kinetex Core-Shell Technology delivers superior chromatographic efficiency compared to fully porous particles. This efficiency boost enables chromatographers to maximize the performance of their HPLC/UHPLC systems, ensuring optimal results with higher resolution and sharper peaks, even under similar method conditions.</li><li>Phases With 11 unique phase selectivities available, Kinetex Core-Shell Technology offers unmatched versatility for method development. This wide selection of phase chemistries allows for tailored separations and simplified optimization, ensuring the best possible results for a wide range of applications.</li><li>Pressure Kinetex Core-Shell columns provide higher efficiency at lower system backpressures compared to fully porous columns. This allows users to achieve superior chromatographic performance on conventional LC instruments without the need for ultra-high-pressure systems, making it a practical choice for routine analyses.</li></ul>

Products from category Phenyl HPLC columns from Phenomenex - page 2

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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