Microplastics and Nanomaterials: Understanding Emerging Contaminants in Environmental Testing

🎤Matthew BolinoHow do the hidden carbohydrate structures on your favorite protein powders shape the gut microbiome? &nbsp;In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, Matthew Bolino, M.S., from the University of Nevada, Reno, breaks down his latest research on N‑glycans from common dietary proteins (whey, egg white, soy, and pea) and how their structural diversity influences microbial fermentation and short‑chain fatty acid production.Bolino explains what N‑glycans are, why they behave like fiber in the gut, and how his team isolates and characterizes them using ethanol washes, enzymatic release (PNGase F and gut‑derived endoglycosidases), and advanced MALDI‑TOF and HILIC‑QTOF workflows. &nbsp;He also discusses his 2025 work comparing synthetic versus bovine whey N‑glycomes and mapping N‑glycan profiles across dietary protein sources, revealing how glycan architecture can reshape community diversity in in vitro fecal fermentations.Geared toward undergraduate and early‑career analytical chemists, this conversation dives into practical mass spec trade‑offs (MALDI vs QTOF vs LC/GC), real‑world troubleshooting in glycomics labs, and how microbiome‑targeted therapeutics and “symbiotic” designs may emerge from pairing specific microbes with preferred glycan structures. &nbsp;Bolino closes with career advice on building biomolecular analysis skills, understanding instrumentation fundamentals, and entering the rapidly growing field of glycomics and microbiome research.<h3>Video Transcription</h3><h4>Introduction</h4>Glycomics has emerged as a rapidly developing field within biomolecular science, expanding our understanding of post-translational modifications beyond well-known processes such as phosphorylation. Among these modifications, protein glycosylation—the covalent attachment of carbohydrate structures to proteins—plays a critical role in biological function, molecular recognition, and cellular communication.This discussion focuses on N-glycans, a class of structurally complex carbohydrates linked to proteins, and their occurrence in common dietary protein sources such as whey, egg white, soy, and pea protein. Particular emphasis is placed on their structural diversity, analytical workflows, and emerging relevance in gut microbiome research.<h4>Fundamentals of N-Glycans</h4>N-glycans are oligosaccharide structures covalently attached to proteins via nitrogen atoms, typically at asparagine residues. They represent one of the two major classes of protein glycosylation, alongside O-glycans.These glycans are characterized by:<ul><li>High structural diversity, arising from variations in monosaccharide composition and linkage patterns</li><li>Large size, typically comprising 7–15 monosaccharide units</li><li>Complex branching architectures, leading to a vast number of possible configurations</li></ul>Common monosaccharide components include:<ul><li>Mannose</li><li>Galactose</li><li>N-acetylglucosamine</li><li>N-acetylgalactosamine</li><li>Sialic acids</li></ul>Unlike free carbohydrates present in foods (e.g., glucose, lactose), N-glycans are protein-bound, which significantly influences their biological behavior.<h4>Biological Function and Dietary Relevance</h4>N-glycans play multiple roles in biological systems, including:<ul><li>Modulation of protein stability</li><li>Regulation of protein trafficking and localization</li><li>Facilitation of cell–cell communication and immune recognition</li></ul>They are particularly abundant on membrane and surface proteins, where they contribute to molecular signaling processes.From a dietary perspective, N-glycans exhibit unique behavior. Due to their size and protein-bound nature, they are not readily digested in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Instead, they can reach the colon, where they may function analogously to dietary fiber, interacting with the gut microbiota.<h4>Research Motivation</h4>The investigation of N-glycans in dietary proteins was initially driven by interest in protein nutrition and supplementation, particularly in the context of muscle growth and protein quality. However, this focus expanded upon recognition of the importance of glycosylation in biological systems.The field of glycomics offers:<ul><li>Extensive structural variability, enabling diverse biological functions</li><li>Relevance in disease mechanisms, including cancer, where glycosylation patterns can influence immune evasion</li><li>Opportunities to explore diet–microbiome interactions</li></ul>This combination of nutritional, biochemical, and biomedical relevance makes N-glycan research particularly compelling.<h4>Experimental Workflow for N-Glycan Analysis</h4>The analysis of N-glycans requires a multi-step workflow due to their covalent attachment to proteins.<h5>1. Protein Purification</h5>Dietary protein samples often contain:<ul><li>Free sugars</li><li>Lipids</li><li>Other matrix components</li></ul>To isolate glycoproteins:<ul><li>Cold ethanol precipitation is used to remove free carbohydrates</li><li>Multiple washing steps ensure removal of residual sugars</li><li>A phenol–sulfuric acid assay is applied to confirm the absence of free sugars</li></ul><h5>2. Enzymatic Release of N-Glycans</h5>N-glycans are enzymatically cleaved from proteins using:<ul><li>PNGase F (Peptide-N-Glycosidase F)</li></ul>This enzyme:<ul><li>Specifically cleaves the glycan from the protein backbone</li><li>Preserves the intact glycan structure</li></ul>Alternative approaches using gut-derived enzymes are being explored to improve accessibility and yield.<h5>3. Glycan Purification and Labeling</h5>Following release:<ul><li>Glycans are purified from the protein matrix</li><li>Chemical labeling is performed (e.g., 2-AA or procainamide tagging)</li></ul>Labeling enhances:<ul><li>Detection sensitivity</li><li>Chromatographic behavior</li></ul><h5>4. Analytical Techniques</h5>Two primary analytical platforms are employed:<ul><li>MALDI-TOF MS<ul><li>High sensitivity</li><li>Broad structural coverage</li></ul></li><li>HILIC-LC-MS<ul><li>Improved reproducibility</li><li>Enhanced chromatographic separation</li></ul></li></ul>These approaches provide semi-quantitative data, where signal intensity reflects relative abundance rather than absolute concentration.<h4>Analytical Challenges</h4>Several challenges are associated with N-glycan analysis:<h5>Low Abundance</h5><ul><li>Dietary proteins typically contain only 1–2% glycan content by weight</li><li>This limits yield and complicates downstream applications</li></ul><h5>Sample Preparation Complexity</h5><ul><li>Extensive purification is required to eliminate free sugars</li><li>Contamination risks must be carefully managed</li></ul><h5>Instrumentation Trade-Offs</h5><ul><li>Different analytical platforms offer complementary advantages</li><li>No single technique provides complete structural and quantitative information</li></ul><h4>Differences Between Plant and Animal N-Glycans</h4>Comparative analysis reveals distinct differences in glycan composition:<h5>Plant-Derived Proteins (e.g., soy, pea)</h5><ul><li>Predominantly high-mannose structures</li><li>Lower monosaccharide diversity</li><li>Simpler glycan architectures</li></ul><h5>Animal-Derived Proteins (e.g., whey, egg white)</h5><ul><li>Greater structural complexity</li><li>Inclusion of diverse monosaccharides (e.g., sialic acids)</li><li>More elaborate branching patterns</li></ul>These differences have important implications for biological function and microbial interactions.<h4>Implications for Gut Microbiome Research</h4>N-glycans represent a potential class of prebiotic substrates that can influence gut microbiota composition and activity.Key findings suggest:<ul><li>Structural diversity of glycans affects microbial utilization patterns</li><li>More complex glycans may promote greater microbiome diversity</li><li>Specific glycan structures may selectively stimulate beneficial microbes</li></ul>This has led to growing interest in:<ul><li>Synbiotic strategies, combining microbes with preferred substrates</li><li>Tailored dietary interventions to enhance metabolic outputs, such as short-chain fatty acids</li></ul><h4>Methodological Considerations</h4>A critical insight from this work is the importance of understanding analytical trade-offs:<ul><li>MALDI-TOF MS provides broader detection of glycan structures</li><li>LC-MS approaches offer greater reproducibility</li></ul>No single technique is universally optimal; instead, method selection should be guided by the specific research question.<h4>Conclusion</h4>N-glycans in dietary proteins represent a complex and biologically significant class of biomolecules with implications spanning nutrition, microbiology, and disease research. Advances in analytical methodologies continue to improve our ability to characterize these structures, despite challenges related to low abundance and structural diversity.A deeper understanding of N-glycan composition and function may enable the development of targeted nutritional strategies and microbiome-based therapeutics, highlighting the growing importance of glycomics in modern life sciences.<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>

N‑Glycans, Whey Protein, and the Gut Microbiome: Mass Spec Insights with Matthew Bolino

<div><div><div>Our immune system is incredibly powerful: among other things, it can recognize and destroy cancer cells. But tumors can be just as effective at avoiding detection – they build “invisibility shields” to protect themselves from attack.</div></div><div>One breakthrough in cancer therapy has been immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), drugs that reactivate immune T cells and help them fight tumors again. However, only about 20–50% of patients respond well to this treatment. Researchers are therefore seeking alternative therapeutic strategies. A small and well-known molecule called adenosine plays a key role in these efforts.When tumor cells are stressed or dying, they release ATP, which is normally a signal that something is wrong in the tissue. But in the tumor microenvironment, ATP gets rapidly broken down by two enzymes, CD39 and CD73. Released adenosine acts like a chemical “calm-down” signal, binds to immune cells (T cells, NK cells, and others), and tells them to slow down, reducing their ability to kill cancer cells. Targeting CD73 therefore represents a promising strategy for developing new cancer treatments.</div><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Nove_latky_mohou_podporit_imunitni_system_v_boji_s_rakovinou_88c5e82cd5.jpeg" alt="IOCB Prague: Development of potent inhibitors to boost the immune system's ability to fight cancer" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Nove_latky_mohou_podporit_imunitni_system_v_boji_s_rakovinou_88c5e82cd5.jpeg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="661" height="363">At IOCB Prague, interdisciplinary teams led by Jan Řezáč, Jan Konvalinka, and Michal Hocek used a newly developed high-throughput screening method to test over 5,000 compounds, identifying two ribonucleoside derivatives as promising CD73 inhibitors.The scientists then improved the compounds’ activity by carefully modifying the ribonucleoside scaffold with bulky (het)aryl groups. Further optimization improved the pharmacokinetic properties of these compounds, yielding inhibitors with low clearance, long half-life, high solubility, and strong selectivity over related enzymes such as CD39.In cellular experiments, the compounds reduced adenosine production in cancer cells, restored T cell activation, and showed no toxicity toward human fibroblasts. The most active compound showed a single-digit picomolar inhibition constant (Ki).These findings establish a strong foundation for further in vivo efficacy and combination studies, which will explore the therapeutic potential of this novel inhibitor class.<blockquote><h4>The Original article</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsptsci.5c00707">Potent Competitive Inhibitors of Ecto-5′-nucleotidase (CD73) based on 6-(Het)aryl-7-deazapurine Ribonucleoside 5′-O-Bisphosphonates</a></h4>Ugnė Šinkevičiu̅tė, Magdalena Šímová, Radek Staník, Lenka Poštová Slavětínská, Kristýna Blažková, Pavel Šácha, Martin Lepšík, Jan Řezáč, Jan Konvalinka, Tereza Ormsby, Michal Tichý, Michal HocekACS Pharmacol. Transl. Sci. 2026, 9, 1, 191–213<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsptsci.5c00707">https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsptsci.5c00707</a><h6>licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC-BY 4.0</a></h6></blockquote><h4>Abstract</h4>CD73 generates immunosuppressive adenosine in the tumor microenvironment and is a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. We have designed and systematically studied diverse 2-substituted 7-deazapurine ribonucleoside 5′-O-bisphosphonates bearing a variety of (het)aryl groups at position 6 and discovered their highly potent and selective CD73 inhibition activity. The most active compounds (with single-digit picomolar Ki) contained bicyclic (het)aryl groups at position 6 in combination with chlorine at position 2. Further optimization of pharmacokinetic properties identified inhibitors with low clearance, long half-life, high solubility, and excellent selectivity over CD39 and NTPDase3. They effectively suppressed adenosine formation in MDA-MB-231 cells, rescued CD8+ T cell activation, and were nontoxic to human fibroblasts. Overall, their profile compares favorably with AB680, a CD73 inhibitor currently in phase I/II clinical trials.</div>

Development of potent inhibitors to boost the immune system's ability to fight cancer

Article

Video

Scientists

Environment

Scientific article

Interview

Science and research

The Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IOCB Prague) is a leading scientific institution in the Czech Republic, recognized internationally. Its primary mission is basic research in the fields of chemical biology and medicinal chemistry, organic and material oriented chemistry, chemistry of natural compounds, biochemistry and molecular biology, physical chemistry, theoretical chemistry, and analytical chemistry. 

Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences

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

Mettler-Toledo

US HUPO

Unchained Labs

Bruker

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Shimadzu Corporation

Waters Corporation

<ul>
<li>Learn the various optical performance parameters</li>
<li>Learn which parameters need to be monitored</li>
<li>Benefits of automated performance qualification</li>
<li>Solution for data integrity compliance in optical instrument qualification</li>
<li>Overview of available service offerings from METTLER TOLEDO</li>
</ul>
During the webinar, we will go into depth about these questions and more:
<h5>What certified reference materials (CRMs) are specified for wavelength accuracy and precision tests by both Pharmacopeias?</h5>
USP: Rare earth oxide solutions/glasses (Ce, Ho, Didymium) or Hg/D2 emission lines
Ph. Eur.: Ho(ClO4)3, Ce2(SO4)3 solutions, or Ho/Didymium glasses, or Hg, D2, Ne, Xe lines
<h5>What CRMs are specified for photometric accuracy and precision tests by both Pharmacopeias?</h5>
USP: for UV range, Nicotinic acid in HCl (6 – 60 mg/L, up to 2.5 A, 213 and 261 nm) or K2Cr2O7 in HClO4 (6 – 200 mg/L, up to 3.0 A, 235, 257, 313, 350 nm); for visible range, neutral density glass filters (up to 3.5 A, 440, 465, 546.1, 590, and 635 nm)
Ph. Eur.: Suitable solid and liquid filters such as certified PDC or neutral density filters; or, instead of certified PDC, Nicotinic acid in HCl.
<h5>What CRMs are specified for photometric linearity tests by both Pharmacopeias?</h5>
USP and Ph. Eur., respectively, specify to use the materials for photometric accuracy tests also for photometric linearity tests.
<h5>Target Audience</h5>
Lab Managers, Lab Technicians, System Owners, Quality Assurance Managers, Quality Assurance Operators
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr. Fabian Müller (Product Manager SPG UV/VIS)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr. Hans-Joachim Muhr (Business Development Manager BioTech)
</blockquote>

METTLER TOLEDO: Pharmacopeia – What to Check on UV Vis Spectrophotometers? 

Pharmacopeia – What to Check on UV Vis Spectrophotometers? 

USP and Ph. Eur. Requirements Placed on UV/Vis Spectrophotometers

Pharmacopeia – What to Check on UV Vis Spectrophotometers?

<h4>Automating Laboratory Workflows with Andrew+ and OneLab Software: A Virtual Demonstration</h4>
We are excited to invite you to our upcoming webinar series on how to easily bring automation to your lab and transform your current workflows.
<h4>EPISODE 3 - Food and Environmental Workflows</h4>
In this episode, we’re excited to show off Andrew+, an advanced pipetting robot, and OneLab, a workflow design execution software. Both are game-changers in analytical workflows, particularly in fields related to food testing and environmental monitoring, where reliable sample preparation in complex matrices is often crucial
In this episode, we’ll show how Andrew+ and OneLab use automation to streamline everything from drug discovery to quality control.
In this episode, you will:
<ul>
<li>Hear insights directly from one of our esteemed customers in the the food and environmental industry, who kindly agreed to make a short video interview about their experience.</li>
<li>Take a tour of the user-friendly OneLab Software, showing how Andrew+ can be intuitively guided to carry out complex tasks. This reduces manual labor and minimizes errors.</li>
</ul>
Andrew+ and OneLab can automate sample preparation protocols, including:
<ul>
<li>General liquid handling</li>
<li>Serial dilutions</li>
<li>Concentration normalizations</li>
<li>And even more complex workflows involving filtration, sample extraction or magnetic beads.</li>
</ul>
These steps are crucial for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of subsequent analytical procedures.
We’ll also talk about data management capabilities, highlighting how OneLab ensures data integrity and helps meet regulatory standards.
So, come join us for this demonstration!
Not sure to be able to attend live sessions?
Register today and watch the webinars on-demand
<h4>Other episodes rfom the series:</h4>
Transform Your Daily Lab Operations with Automation - Episode 1: Biomolecules workflows
<ul>
<li>Tuesday, June 11, 2024, 11:00 AM CEST</li>
</ul>
Transform Your Daily Lab Operations with Automation - Episode 2: Pharma workflows
<ul>
<li>Tuesday, July 09, 2024, 11:00 AM CEST</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Jasper Eaton (Senior Product Marketing Manager, Waters Corporation)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Jasper has a Bachelor’s degree in General Biology and obtained a Masters Degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Grenoble-Alpes. He was previously the EU Sales Manager at Andrew Alliance since 2017, and is now a Senior Product Marketing Manager at Waters Corporation. His experience has made him well versed in the challenges faced by customers looking to automate their lab workflows.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Xavier Rodriguez (Principal Applications Specialist, Chemistry, Europe, Waters Corporation)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Xavier is part of the European Market Development Team. He works as an Application Specialist with focus on sample prep and has more than 20 years of experience in solving sample prep challenges.
</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: Transform Your Daily Lab Operations with Automation - Episode 3: Food and Environmental Workflows

Transform Your Daily Lab Operations with Automation - Episode 3: Food and Environmental Workflows

We’ll show how Andrew+ and OneLab use automation to streamline everything from drug discovery to quality control.

Automation with Andrew+: Food and Environmental Workflows

Delivering connected science for your lab evolution
In the fast-paced world of laboratory operations, staying ahead of regulatory changes, increasing demands, and fierce competition is essential. However, outdated instrumentation and software can often hinder your progress.
Our newly launched software is meticulously crafted to elevate laboratory efficiency and ensure reproducibility, all while minimising manual errors. One of the core tenets of our software is its user-friendly interface, designed with simplicity in mind. Here’s your opportunity to get firsthand experience!
<h3>AGENDA</h3>
<h5>09:00 Welcome + Coffee + Networking</h5>
<h5>09:30 Introduction to waters_connect: Delivering connected science for your lab evolution</h5>
<h5>09:45 Streamlining System Setup and Data Acquisition: Maximizing efficiency and accuracy</h5>
<h5>10:30 Coffee and networking opportunities</h5>
<h5>11:00 Compound optimization with just a few clicks - Hands-on workshop</h5>
<h5>11:45 Mastering MS Quan: Demonstration of next generation of data processing</h5>
<h5>12:30 Lunch</h5>
<h5>13:30 Mastering MS Quan: Unleash your analytical potential- hands-on workshop</h5>
<h5>15:30 General discussion, coffee and wrap-up</h5>

Waters Corporation: waters_connect for Quantitation workshop

waters_connect for Quantitation workshop

Here’s your opportunity to get firsthand experience.

Join CNPN and US HUPO&#39;s ECR as they explore innovative proteomic techniques aimed at studying PTMs, including proteolysis, and their profound impact on biological function.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Chris Overall
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Professor Chris Overall is a Distinguished University Scholar of the University of British Columbia, a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, a Canada Research Chair Laureate in Protease Proteomics and Systems Biology, a Yonsei Distinguished Scholar of Yonsei University, Korea, and a Senior Fellow of the Freiburg Institute of Advanced Studies, AlbertLudwigs Universität Freiburg, Germany, where he is an Honorary Professor. His 310 papersare influential, with an h-index of 107. He is best known for his development of terminomic methodology for the identification of protein N and C-termini for the identification of mature and neo-protein substrate termini in vivo. He Chairs the HUPO Chromosome-centric Human Proteome Project (C-HPP), sits on the 1st Council of the pi-Hub Global Proteomics Project, and is the recipient of numerous awards, e.g., CNPN Tony Pawson Award, the Proteomass Scientific Society Award; 2018 HUPO Discovery Award in Proteomics Sciences; and 2022 Helmut Holzer Award.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Amy Weeks
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Amy Weeks is an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She received her S.B. in Chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley under the mentorship of Prof. Michelle Chang. She completed postdoctoral studies in the laboratory of Prof. James Wells at the University of California, San Francisco. Her research group engineers enzymatic tools for mapping biological signals across space and time in living cells. Using these tools, the lab seeks to provide an integrated view of cellular signaling to advance biological discovery and development of therapeutics for human disease.
</blockquote>

US HUPO: Chemical Biology and Enzymology in Proteomics

Chemical Biology and Enzymology in Proteomics

Innovative proteomic techniques aimed at studying PTMs, including proteolysis, and their profound impact on biological function.

MALDI Top-Down Sequencing (MALDI-TDS) delivers N- and C-terminal sequence readout for intact proteins or protein subunits within minutes.
Leverage the novel neofleX™ MALDI-TDS workflow for verification of therapeutic antibodies, antigens and other protein expression products regarding sequence, terminal status and modifications and, thereby, enable instant decision making in strain development and production in biopharma or other branches of industry.
During this webinar, you will learn:
<ul>
<li>Overview of neofleX technology and its benefits to life sciences applications
</li>
<li>neofleX top-down workflow: Protein sequence verification with shortest time-to-result
</li>
<li>OmniScape™ software: From data to sequencing results with just a few mouse clicks
</li>
</ul>
Who should attend:
<ul>
<li>Characterization team leaders in biopharma companies and CROs
</li>
<li>Mass spectrometry core lab managers
</li>
<li>Researchers who are interested in fast protein characterization methods
</li>
<li>Anyone who needs to deliver instant sequence verification for protein expression products
</li>
<li>Anyone who would like to learn about the latest MALDI-TOF/TOF technology
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Jan Hendrik Kobarg, Ph.D. (Product Manager, MALDI-TOF, Bruker Daltonics, Bremen, Germany)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Jan Kobarg, Ph.D., is the product manager for the MALDI-TOF instrument portfolio at Bruker. The latest addition to the portfolio is the neofleX™ MALDI-TOF Benchtop instrument.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Arndt Asperger, Ph.D. (Senior Applications Scientist, Bruker Daltonics, Bremen, Germany)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Arndt is analytical chemist by training and got his Ph.D. from Leipzig University. He joined Bruker in 2002 and has been working in various application related positions with a focus on pharma/biopharma.
</blockquote>

Bruker: LabCast: Simple and fast top-down protein characterization using neofleX benchtop MALDI-TOF/TOF

LabCast: Simple and fast top-down protein characterization using neofleX benchtop MALDI-TOF/TOF

Overview of neofleX technology and its benefits to life sciences applications.

LabCast: Simple and fast top-down protein characterization

The sample throughput of high-sensitivity liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) based proteomics analysis is restricted by the pressure limitations of LC and column hardware, with some methods wasting as much as 50% of the method cycle time outside of MS acquisition.
Traditional routes for boosting throughput include shorter columns and gradients, higher flow rates, and using trap-and-elute workflows – all of which introduce trade-offs in sensitivity and proteome depth.
The Thermo Scientific™ Vanquish™ Neo tandem direct injection workflow leverages hardware innovations and software intelligence to eliminate method overhead while maintaining data quality across nano, capillary, and micro-flow LC-MS.
In this webinar experts from Evotec and Bayer will showcase how they implemented the tandem direct injection workflow for their proteomics work. Dr. Nagarjuna Nagaraj will present on how Evotec is using tandem direct injection with nano-LC columns packed in-house to boost sample throughput of their chemoproteomics screening pipeline, while Dr. Alexander Boychenko from Bayer will discuss how his lab is using a micro-flow tandem direct injection approach to analyze plasma samples for translational proteomics.
Learning Objectives
<ul>
<li>See how minimizing LC-MS method overhead can accelerate sample throughput while maintaining proteome depth
</li>
<li>Discover how labs are using tandem direct injection for chemoproteomics and translational proteomics applications
</li>
<li>Learn how to implement tandem direct injection in your proteomics workflow
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr. Nagarjuna Nagaraj (Group Leader High Sensitivity Proteomics, Evotec)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Dr. Nagarjuna Nagaraj is a proteomics group leader at Evotec focusing on high sensitivity and high throughput proteomics applications with more than 18 years of experience in proteomics and mass spectrometry. Nagarjuna obtained his PhD from the Matthias Mann lab focusing on sample preparation and MS data acquisition strategies for clinical applications. After a postdoc he directed the mass spectrometry core facility at the Max-Planck-Institute of Biochemistry working on a wide range of protein and peptide mass spectrometry projects such as bottom-up proteomics, structural mass spectrometry including HDX, native and crosslinking MS, intact protein and small molecule analysis.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr. Alexander Boychenko (Head of R&amp;D Laboratory Precision Medicine Markers, Bayer)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Alexander Boychenko is leading Omics Research within the Translational Sciences team of the Pharmaceuticals division at Bayer Group. He is focused on implementing innovative analytical technologies and developing novel methodologies for proteomics, metabolomics, and ligand-binding assays (LBA) to comprehensively characterize human and animal model phenotypes, enabling disease understanding and novel biomarker discovery. He holds a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Kharkiv National University, Ukraine. During his post-doctoral work at the University of Groningen, The Netherlands, he combined LC-MS and immunoassays to discover and validate protein biomarkers in biofluids for cancer screening. Before joining Research and Early Development at Bayer AG, he developed and introduced new liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry products at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Alexander is a subject matter expert in LC-MS, biological data interpretation, and precision medicine. He utilizes his passion for applying technical expertise to develop new medicines.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr. Alec Valenta (Product Marketing Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Alec is the product marketing manager for the Vanquish Neo UHPLC system and low-flow LC columns. Prior to joining Thermo Fisher Scientific he earned his PhD in analytical chemistry from the University of Michigan where he helped advance microdialysis sampling of neurochemicals and developed LC-MS methods to quantify small molecule neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and metabolites in a variety of complex biological samples.
</blockquote>

Thermo Scientific: A Tandem LC Workflow for Maximizing Mass Spectrometer Utilization in Proteomics

A Tandem LC Workflow for Maximizing Mass Spectrometer Utilization in Proteomics

How experts from Evotec and Bayer implemented the tandem direct injection workflow for their proteomics work.

A Tandem LC Workflow for Maximizing Mass Spectrometer

Analytical testing in process development for protein therapeutics is demanding for several reasons: large number of samples, tedious and labor-intensive sample prep, and relative long analysis time for LC-MS.
Bioreactor samples also require careful preparation to enable high quality and sensitive profiling of critical quality attributes (CQAs), especially for low level post translational modifications (PTMs). 
In this webinar, we present automated workflows that encompass simplified sample prep (Protein A purification, and/or mAb subunit digestion) to rapid LC-MS analysis through data processing. We share application examples of LC-MS subunit analysis using the Genovis FabRICATOR® (IdeS) enzyme to compare CQAs of biosimilars and innovator mAbs:
<ul>
<li>Automated mAbs CQA assessment of cell culture samples - intact mass analysis and subunit analysis (presented by Andreas Nageli, Genovis)
</li>
<li>**Automated mAbs CQA assessment comparing Biosimilars vs Innovator - Subunit analysis for glycan profile and for modification of unpaired cystines (CQA) with samples from clone selection and from downstream processing (a Similis Bio-Waters Collaboration)
</li>
</ul>
You will learn from this webinar how to make your analytics higher throughput, with less human intervention, all while providing high quality, sensitive and specific characterization data, ultimately leading to better, faster decision making.**
Secure your spot to see the reveal of the latest version of the Waters Bioprocessing Walk-up Solutions. Be the first to learn how Waters is enabling bioprocess teams to acquire high quality LC-MS analytics through better automation at the point of need.
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Presenter: Samantha Ippoliti (Principal Scientist, Discovery &amp; Development- Biopharma, Waters Corporation)
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Samantha (Sam) joined Waters (Milford, MA) in 2018 and has worked on a variety of applications for LC-MS based biopharmaceutical characterization, including peptide mapping analysis and method development, and intact/subunit analysis via reversed phase (RP) and ion exchange (IEX) -MS. Sam has experience with analysis using BioAccord, Xevo series, Synapt XS, and Cyclic IMS LC-MS instruments. Prior to joining Waters, she was part of the LC-MS characterization group supporting a biopharmaceutical developability assessment group at Novartis in Cambridge, MA. (Sam acquired a BS-MS in Chemistry from Northeastern University in 2012.)
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Presenter: Andreas Nageli, PhD (Principal Scientist, Genovis)
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Andreas joined Genovis in 2018. As Principal Scientist he is involved in the development of new SmartEnzyme products and applications as well as supporting customers in introducing Genovis SmartEnzymes into their assays. Andreas also heads business development at Genovis. He holds a PhD in microbiology from ETH in Zurich, Switzerland.
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Waters Corporation: Automated LC-MS Workflow for CQA Assessment of Protein Therapeutics with Speed and Simplicity for Process Development

Automated LC-MS Workflow for CQA Assessment of Protein Therapeutics with Speed and Simplicity for Process Development

Automated workflows that encompass simplified sample prep to rapid LC-MS analysis through data processing.

Automated LC-MS Workflow for CQA Assessment of Protein

Supercritical Fluid Chromatography (SFC), a chromatographic technique using a supercritical CO2 mobile phase, has been known for decades but was seldom used due to the popularity of normal and reverse phase liquid chromatography.Several years ago, SFC found a niche in chiral resolution when it was found that the physical characteristics of supercritical fluids can offer unique separations when compared to traditional liquid chromatography methods. Since then, these unique separations and “greener” aspect of CO2 have sparked new interest broadening SFC applications. Shimadzu, the leader in innovative SFC instrumentation, offers an array of analytical and preparative SFC systems that allow researchers easily access this growing technology. In this webinar, we’ll look at how Shimadzu’s SFC instruments and how our unique features are currently used in a variety of cutting edge applications for small and large molecules.<blockquote>Presenter: Stephen Swartz (Business Development Specialist, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments)Steve has been involved with the pharmaceutical industry for over 33 years. As a medicinal chemist at DuPont, Bayer, and Bristol Myers Squibb, he worked in multiple therapeutic areas supporting early phase discovery. After leaving the lab, Steve worked for several instrumentation companies in scientific support, sales, and business development. Since joining Shimadzu in 2020 as Business Development Specialist, he has worked with customers in the pharma and biopharma markets using his experience to help optimize workflows from early discovery to IND and beyond.Presenter:&nbsp;Kevin Wons (Market Manager - Pharma/BioPharma, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments)Kevin has recently joined Shimadzu as Market Manager for Pharma/BioPharma. He has spent the last 6 years at AstraZeneca in the Analytical Sciences Department for product and process characterization for biologics in the AstraZeneca pipeline. Kevin has applications experience with HPLC and LC-MS to do Tryptic Peptide Mapping, Intact Mass Analysis, Subunit Mass Analysis, and Oligosaccharide Profiling. For his last 3 years, he acted as the Glycan Subject Matter Expert (SME) while at AstraZeneca. His work experience also includes Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, where he prepared animal tissue samples such as Brain, Liver, Blood, and Placenta to measure kynurenine pathway metabolites on GC/MS and HPLC. He has a Master’s degree in Professional Studies (MPS) focused on Biotechnology which prepares science professionals to fill management and leadership roles.</blockquote>

Shimadzu: Shimadzu's Recent Advances in SFC

Shimadzu's Recent Advances in SFC

How Shimadzu’s SFC instruments and how our unique features are currently used in a variety of cutting edge applications for small and large molecules.

Understanding disease at a biological level requires deep, precise analysis. Multi-omics assays provide this depth, offering critical insights into human health and disease progression. However, these advanced methods come with challenges—especially when it comes to standardization and reproducibility.<h4>Join us for an informative webinar and panel discussion where we will:</h4><ul><li>Explore Quantitative Metabolomics: Discover how this powerful approach distinguishes health from disease and unlocks new insights into biological mechanisms.&nbsp;</li><li>Learn About Automated Sample Preparation: Get up to speed on the latest advancements in automated workflows, including the use of kit-based LC-MS/MS for reliable metabolomics profiling.Enhance Your Research Efficiency: Understand how integrating advanced technologies can streamline the verification and monitoring of potential biomarkers, leading to more cohesive analytical workflows.</li></ul><h4>Featured Presentations</h4><ul><li>Hear from experts at the University of Minnesota and University of Surrey as they showcase real-world applications and validations of these workflows. You'll gain exclusive insights from leaders in the field who are at the forefront of metabolomics research.</li></ul><h4>Key Learning Points</h4><ul><li>Unlock the Power of Quantitative Metabolomics: Learn how this approach helps differentiate health from disease and provides crucial insights into biological processes.</li><li>Streamline Your Research: Discover how comprehensive analytical workflows can speed up the verification and monitoring of lipid and small molecule biomarkers.</li><li>Dive into Advanced Automation: Explore cutting-edge sample preparation with the Waters™ Andrew+ automated liquid handler and the biocrates MxP® Quant 500 kit, transforming targeted metabolomics studies.</li><li>Master LC-MS/MS Workflows: Gain insights into the expanded biocrates MxP® Quant 500 XL, optimized for use with the Waters Xevo™ TQ Absolute MS, for robust lipidomics and metabolomics data.</li><li>Engage with Leading Experts: Take advantage of the opportunity to interact with experts from the University of Minnesota, University of Surrey, Waters Corporation, and Biocrates.</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Dr Holly-May Lewis (Senior Laboratory Technician, University of Surrey, UK)Dr. Holly-May Lewis is a Senior Laboratory Technician and specialist in Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) at the University of Surrey's Chronobiology Section. With a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Surrey, she brings deep expertise in analytical chemistry to her current work, where she focuses on cutting-edge UPLC-MS/MS metabolomics of human samples.Presenter:&nbsp;Professor Debra Skene PhD (Professor of Neuroendocrinology, University of Surrey, UK)Debra J. Skene, PhD, FMedSci is a distinguished Professor of Neuroendocrinology in the Chronobiology Section at the University of Surrey, UK. With over 30 years of research experience and more than 200 peer-reviewed publications, her work focuses on the human circadian timing system and related sleep/wake disorders, particularly in blind individuals, shift workers, and older adults. Currently, her research explores the links between circadian clocks, sleep, and metabolism in both health and disease, utilizing advanced metabolomics techniquesPresenter:&nbsp;Dr Zachary J Mayer (Research Scientist at the Center for Metabolomics and Proteomics (CMSP), University of Minnesota)Dr Zachary Mayer is a Research Scientist at the Center for Metabolomics and Proteomics (CMSP) at the University of Minnesota, specializing in high-throughput targeted metabolomics by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), sample preparation, and laboratory automation.</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: LC-MS/MS Workflows for Kit Based Quantitative Metabolic Profiling

LC-MS/MS Workflows for Kit Based Quantitative Metabolic Profiling

Multi-omics assays provide this depth, offering critical insights into human health and disease progression.

LC-MS/MS Workflows for Kit Based Quantitative Metabolic

As subcutaneous delivery of high-concentration biologics becomes more popular, optimizing their formulations becomes more complicated. Some excipients play better with one antibody, not another, or only help under specific conditions. Testing formulations at high protein concentration makes lower sample consumption and efficient assays a must-have. High-throughput, low volume solutions, designed for biologics, will speed up those formulation studies. Here, we present a case study on how to prepare monoclonal antibodies at high and low concentrations with some common excipients and screen for effects on quality, stability, and viscosity.The case study will illustrate how to produce all this data seamlessly, allowing the researcher to rate and rank formulations for their influence on the analyte and to quickly narrow down the optimal excipients.<blockquote>Presenter: Ross Walton (Senior Application Scientist, Analytics, Unchained Labs)Moderator:&nbsp;Chloe (Oxford Global)</blockquote>

Unchained Labs: Fast track formulation with biologics screening in a snap

Fast track formulation with biologics screening in a snap

Explore how to optimize high-concentration biologic formulations using low-volume, high-throughput tools. Case study shows impact on quality, stability.

LabCast: Simple and fast top-down protein characterization using neofleX benchtop MALDI-TOF/TOF

A Tandem LC Workflow for Maximizing Mass Spectrometer Utilization in Proteomics

LC-MS/MS Workflows for Kit Based Quantitative Metabolic Profiling

Transform Your Daily Lab Operations with Automation - Episode 3: Food and Environmental Workflows

Chemical Biology and Enzymology in Proteomics

waters_connect for Quantitation workshop

Pharmacopeia – What to Check on UV Vis Spectrophotometers?

Fast track formulation with biologics screening in a snap

Shimadzu's Recent Advances in SFC

Automated LC-MS Workflow for CQA Assessment of Protein Therapeutics with Speed and Simplicity for Process Development

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