Professor Michaela Rumlová, head of a research group of the National Institute of Virology and Bacteriology at UCT Prague (and Vice-Rector for doctoral studies), holder of a licensed patent &nbsp;for antiretroviral testing assays, and recipient of the Czech Science Foundation’s President’s Award for HIV research, has also become the principal investigator of the bilateral INTER-EXCELLENCE II project “Cellular factors regulating the export and packaging of unspliced ​​retroviral RNA”, starting this year. In this interview, she explains how retroviruses such as HIV “hack” the cell in order to export their own genome from the nucleus into the cytoplasm, and then to the site where it is specifically packaged into nascent viral particles, a key step in viral replication. Her team is collaborating with the NIH (National Institutes of Health) and Rockefeller University to elucidate mechanisms that may help reveal new vulnerable points in the retrovirus replication cycle while simultaneously clarifying related cellular processes.<h5>Could you describe your project and its main objectives?</h5>Retroviruses, such as HIV, are viruses that carry genetic information in the form of RNA; however, after entering a cell, they are able to reverse transcribe it into DNA and integrate it into the host genome. In order to replicate, they must transport their genetic information—in the form of unspliced RNA—from the nucleus into the cytosol. There, it serves both as a template for the production of viral proteins and as the genome of new viral particles. This is highly unusual, as the cell very carefully controls which RNA molecules are allowed to leave the nucleus. Normal protein-coding cellular RNAs, known as messenger RNAs (mRNAs), must undergo splicing—a processing step in which certain segments are removed—before being exported. When this process fails, mRNA that retains these segments is held back in the nucleus as part of quality control and subsequently degraded. Retroviruses have managed to outwit this cellular control machinery, allowing their unspliced RNA to pass into the cytoplasm.Our project focuses on identifying the cellular proteins that assist retroviruses in this step and on the mechanism by which protein complexes bound to viral RNA are remodelled during RNA transport. The goal is to understand how the virus uses cellular mechanisms to its advantage and how this pathway is linked to the subsequent fate of the RNA, i.e. to its translation and packaging into new viral particles.<h5>Why is this export of unspliced ​​RNA so important for retroviral replication?</h5>Because this RNA has a dual role for the virus. On the one hand, it serves as a template for synthesizing viral proteins in the cytoplasm; on the other, it represents the genetic material itself, which must be packaged into new viral particles. The virus must package its RNA genome in its unspliced form, as only this RNA contains essential sequences without which further viral replication would be impossible.Simply put: the virus needs to get a complete copy of its genetic instructions out of the nucleus. Once the viral RNA is in the cytoplasm, it can be used as a template for synthesizing viral proteins; and a portion of these RNA molecules is then selected and packaged into a new particle as a genome. We are interested in how the virus forces the cell to allow viral RNA that is, from the cell’s perspective, “unfinished,” that is unspliced, to leave the nucleus. We are also investigating how the cell and the virus together - albeit unintentionally from the cell’s perspective - determine which RNA molecule will be translated into proteins and which will be packaged as the genome. This is one of the key, yet still not fully understood, steps of retroviral replication.<h5>What do you think it was about your project that impressed the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports’ jury the most?</h5>I believe the decisive factor was a combination of several elements. First, the reviewers were primarily interested in the scientific problem itself. We are investigating a mechanism that is essential for retroviruses, but still not sufficiently understood, which may also have broader implications for the regulation of cellular processes. In addition, the quality of the team, our strong collaboration with the NIH and Rockefeller University, and the use of modern methods that will allow us to track viral RNA in great detail also played a role. It was also important that the project has clear objectives and a realistic plan.<h5>How will this research contribute to the development of new treatments for retroviral infections?</h5>It is important to say that this is primarily basic research. Rather than developing a new drug directly, we are trying to understand, at the molecular level, the step that the virus cannot do without. Only when we fully understand the mechanism of these cellular processes and identify the essential factors for the export of unspliced ​​RNA and how they function, will we be able to better determine which interactions or mechanisms represent potentially vulnerable points. Similar mechanisms associated with the export of unspliced ​​mRNA also appear in some diseases, such as cancer, so I &nbsp;see the benefit of our research mainly in that it will refine our understanding of these pathological processes in the cell, and retroviruses help us do so. Therefore, our work on retroviruses not only shows us how the virus works, but also how the cell itself works.<h5>What responsibilities does your UCT Prague team have? How does the collaboration with your American partners work?</h5>At UCT Prague, we are conducting the project’s primary experimental work. Our research involves cell cultures, viral models, and various biochemical techniques ranging from immunochemistry to microscopy that allow us to track viral RNA and identify its cellular partners. In collaboration with colleagues from NIH, Frederick, we are developing single-particle tracking methods to observe viral RNA movement in living cells across both space and time. Furthermore, we are working with colleagues from Rockefeller University to employ iCLIP methods for the precise mapping of protein-binding sites on RNA. Both collaborations are valuable to us, because they are not just about data sharing, but also about the transfer of expertise and detailed know-how.<h5>Who else is collaborating on the project?</h5>At UCT Prague, we collaborate closely with the Department of Biotechnology and the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology. Externally, we work with colleagues from the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS (IOCB Prague) and the Central European Institute of Technology in Brno (CEITEC). Our research naturally necessitates the integration of diverse fields of expertise; it requires combining virology, cell biology, and biochemistry with advanced imaging and modern approaches to study RNA-protein interactions. This is exactly what makes our project capable of addressing complex questions that a single laboratory cannot tackle on its own.<h5>Are there plans to continue the project? Have you brought on new collaborators, and are you looking to welcome new colleagues to the team?</h5>Yes, definitely. In basic research, it often happens that one answered question opens up several more. High-quality, properly interpreted data provide a foundation you can build on — and that is what moves scientists forward. It is already clear that the topic of retroviral RNA export and packaging has broader implications and may reveal more general principles of how RNA functions within the cell. We also hope the project will be attractive to students, as it connects classical molecular biology, biochemistry, and virology with cutting-edge biotechnological methods. Students are already involved in the project as part of their bachelor’s and master’s theses.<h5>What was the personal turning point that motivated you to pursue a long-term investigation into retroviral particles?</h5>I first encountered retroviruses in the early 1990s during my diploma thesis, when I was working at IOCB Prague on HIV-1 protease inhibitors. At that time, AIDS could not yet be effectively treated, and retrovirus research had a completely different dimension. From the very beginning, I was fascinated by how such a relatively small and simple virus can outsmart evolutionarily highly optimized cellular processes and turn them to its own advantage. And that has never stopped fascinating me. From a scientific point of view, retroviruses are remarkable; just consider one of their enzymes, reverse transcriptase, without which no diagnostic or research laboratory in the world could function today. Without it, it would be impossible to diagnose RNA viruses like SARS-CoV-2, influenza, or HIV using RT-PCR tests, or, for example to produce recombinant human proteins in bacterial cells.

Tracking unspliced RNA: Professor Rumlová studies how retroviruses “hack” cells

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) remains one of the most widely used analytical techniques for separating, identifying, and quantifying compounds in complex mixtures. Successful HPLC method development depends not only on selecting the correct column and optimizing the mobile phase composition, but also on choosing the appropriate detector. Even a perfectly optimized chromatographic separation provides little value if the detection system cannot properly capture and interpret the analytes of interest.In many ways, the detector acts as the “vision system” of the chromatograph. It converts separated compounds into measurable electronic signals, allowing analysts to identify components and determine their concentrations. The choice of detector therefore has a major impact on sensitivity, selectivity, robustness, and the overall quality of analytical data.This article provides an overview of the most common HPLC detection techniques, discusses their strengths and limitations, and outlines the most important criteria to consider when selecting a detector for a specific analytical task.<h3>HPLC Detection Technologies</h3>HPLC detectors are typically divided into two major categories:<ol><li>Specific detectors (solute-property detectors)</li><li>Bulk property detectors</li></ol>Specific detectors respond to a particular chemical or physical property of the analyte. Ideally, their signal is largely unaffected by changes in mobile phase composition. Common examples include UV/Vis detectors, fluorescence detectors, and mass spectrometers.Bulk property detectors, on the other hand, measure differences between the pure mobile phase and the mobile phase containing analytes. These detectors are considered more universal because they respond to properties shared by many compounds. Refractive index detectors are among the best-known examples, alongside conductivity and light-scattering detectors.Both detector categories have important advantages depending on the application, sample type, and analytical goals.<h3>Common Detector Types Used in HPLC</h3>A wide variety of detectors are available for HPLC systems, ranging from highly universal devices to extremely selective and sensitive technologies.Common detector options include:<ul><li>UV/Vis detectors</li><li>Diode array detectors (DAD/PDA)</li><li>Fluorescence detectors</li><li>Refractive index detectors (RID)</li><li>Conductivity detectors</li><li>Evaporative light scattering detectors (ELSD)</li><li>Charged aerosol detectors (CAD)</li><li>Mass spectrometry detectors (MS)</li></ul>Each technology offers a different balance of sensitivity, selectivity, robustness, operational complexity, and cost.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_Detector_overview_with_characteristics_Graphic_by_KNAUER_84b0dd30b1.jpg" alt="KNAUER: Detector overview with characteristics. Graphic by KNAUER." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_Detector_overview_with_characteristics_Graphic_by_KNAUER_84b0dd30b1.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1293" height="596"><h3>Selecting the Right HPLC Detector</h3>There is no universally ideal detector for all HPLC applications. The best choice depends on several factors, including analyte chemistry, matrix complexity, required detection limits, and instrument compatibility.Careful detector selection is essential for obtaining reliable and meaningful analytical results.The following considerations can help guide the selection process.<h4>1. Chemical and Physical Properties of the Analytes</h4>The chemical nature of the compounds being analyzed is one of the most important selection criteria.Questions to consider include:<ul><li>Do the analytes contain chromophores?</li><li>Are the compounds naturally fluorescent?</li><li>What is their polarity?</li><li>What is their molecular weight?</li><li>Are they volatile or non-volatile?</li></ul>Compounds containing UV-active groups are often well suited for UV/Vis detection, while fluorescent molecules can benefit from the high sensitivity of fluorescence detectors. Non-UV-active compounds may require universal detection approaches such as CAD, ELSD, or mass spectrometry.<h4>2. Required Sensitivity</h4>Detector sensitivity determines the minimum concentration that can be reliably detected and quantified.Routine quality control analyses often rely on UV/Vis detectors because they provide sufficient sensitivity for many applications while remaining relatively simple and cost-effective. However, trace-level analysis or highly complex matrices may require more advanced technologies such as:<ul><li>Fluorescence detection</li><li>Charged aerosol detection</li><li>Mass spectrometry</li></ul>These techniques offer significantly lower detection limits and greater analytical specificity.<h4>3. Detector Linearity</h4>Linearity describes how well detector response correlates with analyte concentration across a defined range.A detector with strong linearity ensures accurate quantification and simplifies calibration procedures. Poor linearity can introduce quantification errors, especially when analyzing samples across broad concentration ranges.<h4>4. Dynamic Range</h4>Dynamic range refers to the concentration interval over which the detector can reliably measure analytes.Applications involving samples with highly variable concentrations require detectors capable of maintaining accurate response over a broad range. A wide dynamic range reduces the need for repeated dilutions or multiple analytical runs.<h4>5. Selectivity</h4>Selectivity defines the detector’s ability to distinguish target analytes from other matrix components.This factor becomes particularly important for complex samples containing many interfering substances. Highly selective detectors reduce the risk of overlapping signals and false positives.Mass spectrometry is often advantageous when dealing with unknown compounds or highly complicated sample matrices because it provides structural information in addition to quantitative data.<h4>6. Budget Considerations</h4>Detector cost is another practical factor that laboratories must evaluate.UV/Vis and refractive index detectors are generally among the more economical choices, making them attractive for routine analyses and standard applications.More sophisticated technologies such as fluorescence detection, CAD, or mass spectrometry typically require:<ul><li>Higher initial investment</li><li>Additional maintenance</li><li>More complex infrastructure</li><li>Greater operational expertise</li></ul>However, the overall value of the detector should always be considered in relation to analytical performance requirements and long-term application needs.<h4>7. Instrument and Mobile Phase Compatibility</h4>The selected detector must be compatible with the operational conditions of the HPLC system.Important parameters include:<ul><li>Flow rate range</li><li>Pressure limitations</li><li>Mobile phase composition</li><li>Solvent compatibility</li></ul>Some detectors are highly sensitive to mobile phase composition or gradient changes, while others tolerate a broader range of operating conditions.Ensuring proper compatibility helps prevent baseline instability, signal interference, and reduced detector performance.<h4>8. Destructive vs. Non-Destructive Detection</h4>Another important consideration is whether the analytical workflow involves only detection or also preparative purification.Non-destructive detectors allow collected fractions to remain intact after detection, which is highly beneficial for preparative chromatography and purification workflows.Destructive detectors, by contrast, consume or alter the sample during measurement and are therefore more suitable for analytical applications where sample recovery is not required.<h4>9. Reliability and Ease of Operation</h4>Practical usability is often just as important as analytical performance.Some detectors are designed for straightforward plug-and-play operation, while others require:<ul><li>Frequent calibration</li><li>Specialized maintenance</li><li>Dedicated gas supplies</li><li>Vacuum systems</li><li>Advanced operator expertise</li></ul>Laboratories should evaluate the available technical support, user experience, and maintenance capabilities before implementing more sophisticated detection technologies.Reliable operation and manageable maintenance requirements can significantly improve laboratory productivity and reduce downtime.Choosing the correct HPLC detector starts with understanding both the sample and the analytical objective. Rather than selecting a detector simply because it is available, laboratories should ensure that the technology aligns with the chemistry of the analytes, required performance characteristics, and workflow demands.In many cases, combining multiple detectors within a single HPLC system can provide even greater analytical insight by delivering complementary information from the same chromatographic separation.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_Flow_scheme_for_detector_selection_Graphic_by_KNAUER_486004045f.jpg" alt="KNAUER: Flow scheme for detector selection. Graphic by KNAUER." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_Flow_scheme_for_detector_selection_Graphic_by_KNAUER_486004045f.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1316" height="808">Interested in learning more? Future articles will explore individual HPLC detection techniques in greater detail, including their operating principles, application areas, and practical advantages for different analytical workflows.

A comprehensive guide for selecting the appropriate HPLC detector

News from LabRulezLCMS Library - Week 20, 2026

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The University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague is a natural centre of first-rate study and research in the area of chemistry in Czechia and is one of the country's largest educational and research institutions focused on technical chemistry, chemical and biochemical technologies, material and chemical engineering, food chemistry, and environmental studies.

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Based in Berlin, KNAUER is a medium-sized, owner-managed company that has been serving the sciences since 1962. We develop and manufacture scientific instruments of superior quality for liquid chromatography, including: Analytical HPLC/UHPLC, Preparative HPLC, Fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC), Multi-column chromatography/Simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatography. High pressure dosing, in-line detection systems, and osmometry are additional business areas.

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Recording from the Live from the Lab: Solutions for Multi-Omics Research on June 13, 2024 in Reinach/Switzerland.
New ways of targeted translational small molecules quantification
In this free webinar, Hector shares preliminary data and insights into the critical role of lipids in biochemical processes, energy utilization, immune response, and energy storage. 
The primary focus is on the measurement and quantification of lipids in human plasma samples, aiming for a more accurate understanding of their biological mechanisms.
His teams research also explores the implications of lipids in cardiometabolic health and cardiorespiratory fitness, underlining the importance of lipid class and species specificity in health effects. They are particularly interested in the role of glycerol lipids as potential markers of health status and their influence on lipid metabolism. 
Recent advancements in liquid chromatography mass spectrometry allows them to profile different lipid species in complex matrices like plasma and tissue. This has opened up new diagnostic possibilities for metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and nonalcoholic fatty acid liver disease.
Can&#39;t attend the webinar broadcast? No problem! Register anyway and you will automatically receive the link to the recording.
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Presenter: Hector Gallart-Ayala (Senior Scientist, University of Lausanne)
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Thermo Fisher Scientific: New ways of targeted translational small molecules quantification

New ways of targeted translational small molecules quantification

Preliminary data and insights into the critical role of lipids in biochemical processes, energy utilization, immune response, and energy storage.

Targeted translational small molecules quantification

Missed out on visiting all the posters in Portland? Join us to hear more about the exciting research your fellow trainees are working on! Hosted by US HUPO&#39;s ECR.

US HUPO: Spotlight on Trainees: US HUPO 2024 Poster Presenters

Spotlight on Trainees: US HUPO 2024 Poster Presenters

Join us to hear more about the exciting research your fellow trainees are working on! Hosted by US HUPO's ECR

Join the MS Imaging SIG for an interactive discussion with authors on experimental design and data pipelines for analysis.
Reference material Nat Methods 20(10):1530-1536. PMCID: PMC10555842
Dr. Rosenberger, and EMBO postdoctoral fellow, will give an educational viewpoint of experimental design ad execution, discussing his results and data analysis in mice.
Caroline Weiss, a PhD student, will discuss transferring automating the developed pipeline for human sample and focus on applications in the clinical context. Dr. Rosenberger and Caroline Weiss work in the laboratory of Matthias Mann at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried, Germany.
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Presenter: Dr. Florian Rosenberger (EMBO)
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Presenter: Caroline Weiss (Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried, Germany)
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US HUPO: Spatial Single-Cell Mass Spectrometry in Liver Tissue Slices: Experimental Design and Pipelines for Analysis

Spatial Single-Cell Mass Spectrometry in Liver Tissue Slices: Experimental Design and Pipelines for Analysis

Join the MS Imaging SIG for an interactive discussion with authors on experimental design and data pipelines for analysis.

Spatial Single-Cell Mass Spectrometry in Liver Tissue Slices

Mass spectrometry (MS)-based omics technologies have revolutionized our understanding of molecular changes in organisms and are crucial for studying metabolism and related diseases through lipidomics and metabolomics.
Despite significant advances, there is still a need for robust analytical methodologies in data acquisition, data processing and annotation.
This webinar will demonstrate how LC-Zeno SWATH DIA outperforms conventional DDA in annotating metabolites and lipids in the model organism Gammarus fossarum. Additionally, the presentation will showcase the effectiveness of electron activated dissociation (EAD) in characterizing lipid species and elucidating metabolite isomers. Finally, the webinar will illustrate how EAD and high-resolution targeted approaches improve structural elucidation and molecular network construction.
Attend this webinar to:
<ul>
<li>Learn about the benefits of LC-Zeno SWATH DIA over conventional DDA methods for metabolite and lipid annotation
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<li>Explore the implementation of EAD for enhanced lipid species characterization and metabolite isomer elucidation
</li>
<li>Understand how EAD improves structural elucidation and molecular network construction
</li>
</ul>
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Presenter: Dr. Valentina Calabrese (Postdoctoral Researcher at Institute of Analytical Sciences)
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Valentina Calabrese received her Ph.D. in Analytical and Bioanalytical Sciences at University of Palermo, Italy and is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Analytical Sciences in Lyon, France. During her career, she specialized in high resolution, ultra-high resolution, and ion mobility mass spectrometry for application on fundamental topics and -omics research, such as metabolomics and lipidomics. Her research activity focuses on new method development and unknown compound annotation through high-resolution mass spectrometry and molecular networking in biological complex samples. She is currently involved in the study of sentinel freshwater organisms, as Gammarus fossarum and works on DDA and SWATH DIA methods with CID or EAD fragmentation strategies along with molecular networking construction for improving structural characterization of small molecules.
</blockquote>

Technology Networks: Enhancing MS-Based Omics Analysis in a Model Organism

Enhancing MS-Based Omics Analysis in a Model Organism

How LC-Zeno SWATH DIA outperforms conventional DDA in annotating metabolites and lipids in the model organism Gammarus fossarum.

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.
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Presenter: Chris Overall
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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.
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Presenter: Amy Weeks
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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.

<h4>Rebroadcast of the Live from the Lab: Solutions for Multi-Omics Research from June 13, 2024</h4>
Native nano-DESI mass spectrometry imaging of proteins up to 230 kDa: Advances in proteoform discovery and identification
In this presentation, Prof. Cooper discusses her recent work in developing native ambient mass spectrometry (NAMs) for structural analysis and spatial analysis of proteins.
In this session, you will hear how to
<ul>
<li>identify intact protein assemblies and protein-ligand complexes directly from tissue sections using Native ambient mass spectrometry (NAMs) </li>
<li>understand the structure and function of proteins and their role in complex biological systems </li>
<li>overcome challenges in NAM, including complex mass spectra and low abundance signals Can&#39;t attend the webinar broadcast? No problem! Register anyway and you will automatically receive the link to the recording.</li>
</ul>
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Presenter: Prof. Helen Cooper (University of Birmingham)
</blockquote>

ThermoFisher Scientific: Advances in proteoform discovery and identification

Advances in proteoform discovery and identification

Native nano-DESI mass spectrometry imaging of proteins up to 230 kDa

Metabolomics, crucial for understanding biological interactions, faces challenges due to a lack of standardized protocols. Addressing this, the biocrates AbsoluteIDQ p400 HR kit offers a ready-to-use, quantitative protocol targeting 408 metabolites across 11 compound classes and includes calibration, internal standards, and quality controls.This webcast will describe how use of this targeted quantitative approach has now been validated for the Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Exploris family of mass spectrometers. Assessment using NIST SRM 1950 and human plasma samples demonstrates accuracy and reproducibility. Its applications span high-throughput analyses for large cohorts, drug discovery, and biomarker research, notably in neuroscience and cancer.You will learn:<ul><li>How targeted metabolomics can be applied on high resolution instruments</li><li>How standardization in metabolomics improves reproducibility across experiments and laboratories</li><li>How absolute quantification aids in data interpretation</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Stephen Dearth (Senior Applications Specialist, biocrates life sciences)Stephen Dearth is a senior applications specialist at biocrates life sciences ag, specializing in LC-MS-based targeted metabolomics. He has over 10 years of experience in the life sciences and has been with biocrates since 2017 after completing his PhD in chemistry with a focus on untargeted metabolomics and data analysis at the University of Tennessee.Moderator: Nikki Forrester (Freelance science, writer and editor)Nikki Forrester is a science journalist who covers biology, natural history, climate, and the culture of academic research. She earned a Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology in 2019.</blockquote>

ThermoFisher Scientific: Quantitative metabolomics with validated standard protocols on high-resolution mass spectrometers

Quantitative metabolomics with validated standard protocols on high-resolution mass spectrometers

Targeted quantitative approach has now been validated for the Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Exploris family of mass spectrometers.

Quantitative metabolomics on HRMS

In this session, we explore how cutting-edge technology can detect the early signs of infectious disease with precision and speed. Early identification of disease markers can significantly enhance patient care by allowing for faster, more effective treatments.Learn how Evosep One’s robustness, sensitivity, and efficiency are helping laboratories and clinicians stay ahead of disease progression, providing key insights that lead to better health outcomes.Accurate and early detection of mycobacterial pathogens is critical for improving patient outcomes. We developed and validated multiple novel diagnostic methods. First, an immuno-affinity liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (ILM) assay that quantifies Mycobacterium tuberculosis CFP10 peptides and HIV-1 p24 in serum, showing high sensitivity and specificity in both adults and children. This method allows early detection of HIV and TB and monitors treatment responses effectively. The second approach involves an automated peptidomics pipeline that rapidly identifies mycobacterial species and subspecies from early growth cultures, including drug-resistant strains, significantly reducing diagnosis time compared to current clinical practices. These methods present significant advancements for managing the mycobacterial diseases.<blockquote>Presenter: PhD. Tony Hu (Center for Cellular &amp; Molecular Diagnostics, Tulane Cancer Center Translational Oncology Research Program Leader)Presenter:&nbsp;Aaron Scott (Infection Medicine (BMC) – Faculty of Medicine, Lund University)</blockquote>

Evosep: Tracking early signs of infectious disease with Evosep One to improve patient outcomes

Tracking early signs of infectious disease with Evosep One to improve patient outcomes

Learn how Evosep One’s robustness, sensitivity, and efficiency are helping laboratories and clinicians stay ahead of disease progression.

Tracking early signs of infectious disease with Evosep One

Our guest speakers will discuss automation within their lab and how the Andrew+ liquid handling robot has helped streamline their sample preparation workflows for proteomic analysis.Automation is fast becoming a priority for labs who are looking to improve liquid handling pipetting procedures for simple, yet critical, protocols. The automation of liquid handling procedures allows labs to streamline workflows, helping to improve.<ul><li>Reproducibility - Laboratory automation eliminates most human errors resulting in more reliable data and improved productivity.</li><li>Productivity - Andrew+ combines the flexibility of single channel pipetting (0.2 μL to 10 mL) with the higher throughput of multichannel pipetting.</li><li>Health in the Lab - Pipetting requires repetitive movements (of up to 500 times per day for the average user) that can lead to Musculo-skeletal disorders like repetitive strain injury. The use of automated liquid handling reliefs users from this high throughput pipetting burden, helping to improve health within the lab setting.</li></ul><h4>Testimonials from our guest speakers</h4><h5>Dr Harry Whitwell, Imperial College London</h5>Andrew+ has been a huge asset to the group and is used continuously to support routine sample prep from protein assay to digestion, desalting, peptide assay, sample-standardisation, plate formatting and study reference generation, helping to substantially minimise batch-variation. Data from repeated dilution series across months shows excellent reproducibility in pipetting accuracy and stability with inter-assay CV &lt;5% and R2 above 0.99.<h5>Dr Pavel Shliaha, MRC</h5>In our lab, we use automation in attention-heavy workflows, e.g. concentration normalisation and SPE. The main workflows that we are using the Andrew+ is for concentration normalisation for proteomics. We also plan to use it for SPE for proteomics. My favourite things about the Andrew+ robot are as follows: user interface, great technical support, ability to easily switch pipettes, without the necessity for calibration.<h5>Dr Colleen Maxwell, University of Leicester</h5>We previously found it a major challenge to find sample preparation solutions to match the large scale required for our large cohort clinical proteomics studies without compromising on flexibility – we used to rely on laborious protocols requiring manual pipetting steps in small batches, we have found that these are no longer suitable, and are likely to introduce unwanted batch effects over the long term. Andrew+ has revolutionised our workflows, offering versatility beyond standard bottom-up proteomics digestion and clean-up. Andrew+ is such an adaptable system, so has had a transformative impact on all aspects of experimental design, and has been adopted throughout all our bottom-up proteomics workflows at the van Geest Multiomics Facility in the University of Leicester.<blockquote>Presenter:&nbsp;Dr Harry Whitwell (Lecturer and Proteomics Platform Lead, Imperial College London)Dr Harry Whitwell has been proteomic lead at the National Phenome Centre at Imperial College London since June 2020. Alongside this position, he was appointed Lecturer in Proteomics and Integrative Data Analysis in October 2023. Building on funding MRC, EPSRC and BBSRC, he has established a far-reaching facility, supporting projects across the UK. His research focuses on combining multiple analytical modalities to understand disease including mass spec-imaging, proteomics and network-based data analysis techniques.Presenter:&nbsp;Dr Pavel Shliaha (Head of Proteomics and Metabolomics, MRC, Laboratory of Medical Sciences)Dr Pavel Shliaha completed his Ph.D. in proteomics at the laboratory of Professor Kathryn Lilley in Cambridge, UK, focusing on organelle proteomics. He then pursued a postdoctoral project in Professor Ole Jensen's group at the University of Southern Denmark, concentrating on histone PTM profiling and intact protein analysis. Pavel briefly worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center as a postdoc before moving to MSD (New Jersey). Throughout his career, Pavel has been interested in automation and high-throughput sample processing. In particular, he has experience working with Hamilton Star, Opentrons, and Andrew+ systems.Presenter: Dr Colleen Maxwell (Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Leicester)Colleen is a post-doctoral research associate at the Leicester van Geest Multiomics Facility at the University of Leicester. She completed her undergraduate studies in Chemistry at Imperial College London, graduating in 2019. During this time, she spent a year working in a pharmaceutical company, where she gained her initial exposure to analytical chemistry and mass spectrometry. Motivated by her interest in this field, Colleen pursued a PhD at the University of Leicester, focusing on the use of shotgun and targeted proteomics to develop and validate multiplexed biomarker panels for coronary artery disease. After completing her PhD in 2023, she continued her research as a postdoctoral associate, expanding her work to include new projects that integrate deep cardiac MRI phenotyping with proteomics in collaboration with the cardiac imaging team at Leicester. Colleen is passionate about the automation and standardisation of proteomics to ensure highly reproducible and high-throughput biomarker studies in large clinical cohorts</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: Streamlined Proteomics with the Power of Andrew+

Streamlined Proteomics with the Power of Andrew+

How the Andrew+ liquid handling robot has helped streamline their sample preparation workflows for proteomic analysis.

By watching the presentation, you will learn<ul><li>how to develop sensitive and selective LC-MS analysis of organoids</li><li>how to tailor sample preparation procedures to fit the uniqueness of such biosamples</li><li>how to proceed with method validation</li></ul>Event OverviewThis webinar emphasizes the significance of capillary HPLC coupled with mass spectrometry in two parts. The first part discusses Merck's Lipidomics Analytical Platform for mRNA Lipid Nanoparticle (LNP) Innovation, aiming to study LNP metabolization and predict metabolites for regulatory approval of LNP-based therapeutics.The second part focuses on the use of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) as a powerful tool for studying organoids and organ-on-chip (OoC) models. These models, used as alternatives to animal models, require sensitive analytical tools, and LC-MS methods for proteomics, lipidomics, peptidomics, and drug metabolism studies are being developed and applied for this purpose. The presentation also highlights the advantages of miniaturization of the LC system and on-line analysis for sensitive and automated measurements with minimal sample loss and contamination.What you need to know:Date: 17 October, 2024Start times: Broadcast #1: 17 October - 9 am BST (London) / 10 am CEST (Paris/Berlin) / 1:30 pm IST (New Delhi) / 4 pm SGT (Singapore) Broadcast #2: 17 October - 9 am CDT (Chicago) / 10 am EDT (New York) / 3 pm BST (London) / 4 pm CEST (Paris/Berlin)Duration: Approximately 60 minutes<blockquote>Presenter: Dr. Jasjot Singh (Senior Scientist, Biomolecule Analytics Lab, Central Analytics, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany)Jasjot is a biochemist holding a PhD in LC-MS-based proteomics from the University of Bonn (2022), specializing in molecular biology. He transitioned directly to Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, where he now serves as a senior scientist in the biomolecule analytics lab of Central Analytics. In his current role, Jasjot leads diverse proteomics projects, including biomarker discovery and targeted protein degradation. He focuses on developing customized LC-MS workflows for protein, lipid, and metabolite analytics. His primary goals involve standardizing and automating workflows to enable high-throughput "omics" analysis, as well as optimizing streamlined data analysis pipelines.Presenter: Prof. Steven Ray Wilson (Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, Norway)Steven Ray Wilson is a professor at the Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo. He is a principal investigator in a center of excellence that focuses on the development and study of organoids/OoCs in the Hybrid Technology Hub. He has close ties to the analytical community, as well as long-term collaborations with medical partners for clinical applications, for example.</blockquote>

Separation Science: Empowering Tomorrow’s Therapeutics with LC-MS Capillary Chromatography

Empowering Tomorrow’s Therapeutics with LC-MS Capillary Chromatography

This webinar emphasizes the significance of capillary HPLC coupled with mass spectrometry.

LCMS webinars focusing on OMICS - page 13