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

<p><strong>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 </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-68778-6#Abs1"><i><strong>Nature Communications</strong></i></a><strong>.</strong></p><p>“<i>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</i>,” said the article’s first author, <strong>David Panáček</strong> from CATRIN, who worked on the study during his internship at Imperial College London.</p><p><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"></p><p>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. “<i>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</i>,” said one of the corresponding authors, <strong>Michal Otyepka</strong>.</p><p>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"><strong> CEITEC – VUT</strong></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.</p><p>“<i>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,</i>” added another corresponding author, <strong>Nuria De Diego</strong>.</p>

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

<p><strong>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.</strong></p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><h4><strong>Key Highlights:</strong></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><strong>Video transcription</strong></h3><p>In this interview, <strong>Ainslie Chen</strong> discusses her research on improving the detection and identification of hemoglobin variants using <strong>liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS)</strong>. 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.</p><p>Chen explains why her team selected LC-HRMS over established clinical techniques like <strong>capillary electrophoresis</strong> and <strong>gene sequencing</strong>. 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.</p><p>A key methodological insight from the project was the use of a <strong>C4 reversed-phase LC column</strong> 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.</p><p>Beyond hemoglobin analysis, Chen highlights the broader potential of high-resolution mass spectrometry in <strong>proteoform analysis</strong> 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 <strong>miniaturized mass spectrometers</strong> 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.</p><blockquote><p><strong>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.</strong></p></blockquote><blockquote><h4><strong>Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast</strong></h4><p>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!</p><p>You can find <strong>Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast </strong>in podcast apps:</p><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1wZg67rCjoGju4yhqxI3tL"><strong>Spotify</strong></a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/tz/podcast/concentrating-on-chromatography/id1788429185"><strong>Apple podcast</strong></a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podscan.fm/podcasts/concentrating-on-chromatography"><strong>podscan</strong></a></li></ul><p>and on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/@ChromatographyTalk/videos"><strong>YouTube channel</strong></a></p></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

Waters waters_connect software for Quantitation

Dominate your data, accelerate your workflows, and achieve absolute confidence in your compliance with the waters_connect for Quantitation software solution.

<div><div id="title-d9d0111cb7" data-locator="title-with-text"><h3><strong>Dominate your data</strong></h3></div></div><div><div id="text-fbc7e520e6" data-locator="text"><p><strong>Balancing productivity and accuracy can often feel like a tightrope walk, especially as workflows become more complex with expanding compound lists. Manual processes, inconsistent results and regulatory compliance concerns, can all contribute to bottlenecks that slow down your lab’s efficiency.</strong></p><p>Dominate your data, accelerate your workflows, and achieve absolute confidence in your compliance with the <strong>waters_connect for Quantitation software solution</strong>. Revolutionizing how you process, review, and report data, your compliance-enabled solution will take command of your data and empower you to spend less time on difficult manual processes and more time making fast, informed decisions to advance your science.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Waters_waters_connect_for_Quantitation_The_MS_Quan_app_is_integrated_with_the_waters_connect_workflow_and_utility_apps_to_provide_a_seamless_efficient_workflow_for_quantitation_5a8779a387.jpg" alt="Waters: waters_connect for Quantitation: The MS Quan app is integrated with the waters_connect workflow and utility apps to provide a seamless, efficient workflow for quantitation." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Waters_waters_connect_for_Quantitation_The_MS_Quan_app_is_integrated_with_the_waters_connect_workflow_and_utility_apps_to_provide_a_seamless_efficient_workflow_for_quantitation_5a8779a387.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="682"></p><h4><strong>Unmatched benefits for your lab</strong></h4><div><div data-locator="layoutcontainer-"><div><div id="text-ac6a0745c1" data-locator="text"><ul><li><strong>50% faster data review:</strong> Spend more time on science, less on manual review with the Exception Focused Review functionality</li><li><strong>Efficient batch processing:</strong> Seamlessly manage high sample volumes</li><li><strong>Report results effortlessly:</strong> On your <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products?manufacturerItems=5&amp;search=xevo"><strong>Xevo tandem quadrupole family</strong></a></li><li><strong>Ease of use: </strong>Intuitive system interface minimizes training requirements</li><li><strong>Compliance-enabled:</strong> Meet industry regulations such as 21 CFR Part 11 and ISO standards</li><li><strong>Integrated workflows:</strong> Enhance connectivity with streamlined LIMS and mixed-system networking for streamlined operations</li></ul></div></div><div><div id="text-939762e6f1" data-locator="text"><h4><strong>Recommended Use</strong></h4><p>For laboratories performing quantitative analysis that require efficient processing of large sample batches, reduced data review time, and adherence to compliance standards.</p><h3><strong>Advanced visualization</strong></h3><p>Simplify complex data interpretation with advanced visualization tools. Exception Focused Review functionality, lets you set customizable rulesets, quickly spot trends, and instantly identify outliers, enabling faster, data-driven decisions.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Waters_waters_connect_for_Quantitation_Advanced_visualization_4f34501146.jpg" alt="Waters: waters_connect for Quantitation: Advanced visualization." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Waters_waters_connect_for_Quantitation_Advanced_visualization_4f34501146.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1460" height="819"></p><div><div id="text-e5c015d2f3" data-locator="text"><h3 data-locator="modal-title"><strong>Take control of your data</strong></h3><p>Dominate your data with waters_connect for Quantitation. Designed to simplify your lab operations, the dynamic, user-friendly interface ensures effortless navigation, while one-click processing handles even the largest datasets with ease. With centralized access to reports, methods, and sample lists via a secure Oracle Database, you can quickly uncover critical insights and make confident, data-driven decisions faster than ever.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Waters_waters_connect_for_Quantitation_Take_control_of_your_data_96563b6d5a.jpg" alt="Waters: waters_connect for Quantitation: Take control of your data." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Waters_waters_connect_for_Quantitation_Take_control_of_your_data_96563b6d5a.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="682"></p><h3><strong>Accelerated analytical workflows, zero compromises</strong></h3><p>Analyzing large sample batches? No problem. The Acquisition Method Editor is an automatic optimization and processing tool designed to save time and reduce transcription error when creating your acquisition and processing method and processing method.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Waters_waters_connect_for_Quantitation_Accelerated_analytical_workflows_zero_compromises_c8ff142bf3.jpg" alt="Waters: waters_connect for Quantitation: Accelerated analytical workflows, zero compromises." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Waters_waters_connect_for_Quantitation_Accelerated_analytical_workflows_zero_compromises_c8ff142bf3.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="682"></p><h3><strong>Confidence in compliance</strong></h3><p>Confidently align LC-MS/MS workflows to global regulations and standards, such as 21 CFR part 11 and ISO, using the compliance-enabled waters_connect for Quantitation software. Enhance data integrity through the robust Oracle relational database backbone, which provides robust method version control, traceability, and comprehensive audit trails.&nbsp;Bolster regulatory-driven LC-MS/Ms workflows by combining data integrity with productivity through mixed-system data networks and LIMS connectivity.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Waters_waters_connect_for_Quantitation_Reduce_the_burden_of_data_integrity_with_software_that_facilitates_accurate_traceable_and_secure_records_fb809b433f.jpg" alt="Waters: waters_connect for Quantitation: Reduce the burden of data integrity with software that facilitates accurate, traceable, and secure records." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Waters_waters_connect_for_Quantitation_Reduce_the_burden_of_data_integrity_with_software_that_facilitates_accurate_traceable_and_secure_records_fb809b433f.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="682"></p><h3><strong>Advancing PFAS, Pharmaceutical, and Food Safety Analysis Applications</strong></h3><h4><strong>PFAS analysis</strong></h4><p>Achieve precision and productivity in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=5&amp;search=PFAS"><strong>PFAS testing</strong></a> with software designed for ease of use and compliance. waters_connect for Quantitation helps laboratories meet stringent regulatory requirements while managing complex sample matrices with ease.</p><h4><strong>Pharmaceutical analysis</strong></h4><p>Confidently quantify pharmaceutical analytes from discovery to manufacturing QC with waters_connect for Quantitation. Streamline LC-MS/MS analysis, enhance productivity, and ensure data integrity with compliance-enabled analytical workflows generating the results that support drug development, regulatory submissions and audits.</p><h4><strong>Food and environmental safety</strong></h4><p>Streamline testing for multiresidue <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=5&amp;search=pesticides"><strong>pesticides</strong></a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=5&amp;search=mycotoxin"><strong>mycotoxins</strong></a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=5&amp;search=veterinary+drugs"><strong>veterinary drugs</strong></a> with efficient workflows that maximize throughput without compromising quality. Analyze complex samples quickly and confidently</p><h3><strong>Your Scalable, Compliance-Enabled Solution</strong></h3><p>Built on the waters_connect Informatics Platform, waters_connect for Quantitation empowers analytical labs to achieve faster, more robust outcomes. Its scalable, secure design supports seamless integration with existing Waters software and partner solutions, ensuring future-ready performance.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Waters_waters_connect_for_Quantitation_Core_capabilities_of_the_waters_connect_Platform_22c5991e08.jpg" alt="Waters: waters_connect for Quantitation: Core capabilities of the waters_connect Platform." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Waters_waters_connect_for_Quantitation_Core_capabilities_of_the_waters_connect_Platform_22c5991e08.jpg 153w," sizes="100vw" width="1059" height="1082"><br>&nbsp;</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

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