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

News from LabRulezLCMS Library - Week 20, 2026

🎤Lindsay Repka&nbsp;Lindsay Repka is a chemistry professor at Middlebury College whose research explores photoredox chemistry, catalyst stability, and visible-light-driven transformations. Her lab emphasizes both mechanistic insight and hands-on student training in advanced analytical instrumentation.In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, we sit down with Lindsay Repka to discuss how LC-MS and GC-MS transformed her lab’s approach to photoredox chemistry.What began as a project to develop a visible-light photocrosslinking handle unexpectedly led to a major discovery: the solvent (DMF) was reacting with the photocatalyst itself. Using high-resolution LC-MS, Lindsay’s team observed multiple solvent adducts forming — sometimes with complete catalyst consumption. That discovery reshaped their research direction.This episode is a rare deep dive into both LC-MS and GC-MS within the same research project, showing how chromatography-driven insight can turn unexpected degradation into productive new reactivity.If you work in:<ul><li>Photoredox chemistry</li><li>Reaction optimization</li><li>Mass spectrometry method development</li><li>Catalyst screening</li><li>Academic synthetic chemistry</li></ul>…this conversation will resonate.<h4>Key Topics Covered</h4><ul><li>Photocatalyst stability in DMF, DCE, and MeCN</li><li>Demethylation under mild visible-light conditions</li><li>High-resolution Q-TOF LC-MS quantitation</li><li>Internal standard methodology in GC-MS</li><li>Signal-to-noise improvement using extracted ion chromatograms</li><li>Reaction reproducibility and quality control strategy</li></ul><h3>Video Transcription</h3>In this interview, Lindsay Repka discusses the role of photoredox chemistry in method development, photocrosslinking, solvent activation, catalyst stability, and the use of LC-MS and GC-MS to understand reaction pathways.<h4>What is photoredox chemistry?</h4>Photoredox chemistry uses light to activate a photocatalyst, which can either donate or accept an electron from a substrate. This generates radical species that can undergo new types of reactivity.Repka explains that one of the key advantages of photoredox chemistry is its ability to operate under mild conditions, often using visible light. This makes it attractive for sensitive molecules and biological systems, including potential applications in drug release, live-cell chemistry, and drug development.<h4>Photocrosslinking and drug-target interactions</h4>Repka’s group initially aimed to develop visible-light photocrosslinking methods to study drug interactions with biological targets. Photocrosslinking can covalently link a drug to its target, making it easier to identify the biological target of a compound.Traditional photocrosslinking often uses UV light, but visible light offers milder and more biologically compatible conditions.<h4>From photocrosslinking to solvent activation</h4>The project shifted direction when the desired photocrosslinking reactions gave very low yields. Instead of reacting with amino acids as intended, the radical intermediate mainly reacted with itself.The team explored different solvents to stabilize the radical, but found that some solvents, such as DMF, were not inert. Instead, the solvent reacted with the photocatalyst or radical species, revealing unexpected solvent activation chemistry.<h4>Why LC-MS was critical</h4>LC-MS became essential because the reaction mixtures were too complex and low-yielding for NMR or GC-MS. High-resolution LC-MS allowed the team to detect minor products, identify photocatalyst modifications, and observe solvent addition products with high confidence.Repka emphasizes that LC-MS was both a qualitative and quantitative tool. It was used quantitatively to measure how much photocatalyst remained after light exposure, and qualitatively to identify degradation products and new reactivity pathways.<h4>Photocatalyst stability workflow</h4>The team developed a systematic workflow to evaluate photocatalyst stability under light exposure. Because catalyst degradation was time-sensitive, reproducibility required strict control of experimental conditions.Key steps included using a glove box, commercial deoxygenated solvents, accurate weighing on a microbalance, controlled light exposure in a photoreactor, and temperature control with a chiller. These precautions helped reduce day-to-day variability and enabled reproducible measurements of catalyst remaining.<h4>Quantifying catalyst remaining by LC-MS</h4>Calibration curves were prepared using pure photocatalyst solutions and LC-MS ion areas. The team worked in the nanomolar range to maintain linearity.Instead of relying only on total ion chromatograms, they used extracted ion chromatograms (EICs) to improve signal-to-noise for the photocatalyst signal. Baseline subtraction was also applied to reduce noise and improve quantitation at low concentrations.Calibration curves and quality control samples were prepared and measured on the same day as the reaction samples, because LC-MS signal intensity can vary significantly from day to day.<h4>Why GC-MS was used later</h4>For demethylation studies, the group moved to GC-MS because the substrates and products were small and volatile enough for gas chromatography. GC-MS was better suited for rapidly screening many reaction conditions, including different photocatalysts, solvents, and oxidants.Instead of generating full calibration curves for every experiment, the team used an internal standard to streamline analysis and determine percent conversion based on relative response factors.<h4>Practical lessons from the project</h4>Repka highlights the importance of careful sample preparation, especially when working with very small quantities of photocatalysts. A high-quality microbalance, stable granite platform, antistatic tools, and aluminum weigh boats improved weighing accuracy and reproducibility.She also argues that mass spectrometry should be a standard part of photoredox method development because it can reveal minor products, support reaction optimization, and provide insights that may be difficult or impossible to obtain by NMR alone.<h4>Final perspective</h4>Beyond the chemistry, Repka emphasizes the importance of student training and mentoring. For her, research is not only about discovering new reactivity but also about giving students practical experience, helping them develop independence, and preparing them for future scientific careers.<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>

Using LC-MS & GC-MS to Decode Photoredox Catalyst Stability

Article

Application

Video

Scientists

Interview

Science and research

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.

UCT Prague

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LabRulez

Organomation, founded in 1959, designs and manufactures high-quality nitrogen evaporators and extraction systems. Known for innovation and durability, their lab instruments are used globally for efficient sample preparation with strong customer support.

Organomation

Phenomenex

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Wiley

Shimadzu Corporation

SCIEX

Evosep Biosystems

Waters Corporation

Immunopeptidomics bridges proteomics and immunology to decode the diverse repertoire of peptides presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. These MHC-bound peptides, known as immunopeptidomes, play a pivotal role in immune recognition, influencing processes such as immune surveillance, infectious diseases, autoimmunity, and cancer.As research in this field advances, the demand for higher sensitivity, robustness, and throughput in peptide analysis has never been greater. In this webinar, we explore how Evosep One is transforming immunopeptidomics by enabling faster, more reproducible, and high-throughput workflows, helping researchers unravel immune responses with greater precision.<h4>Unlocking low-input immunopeptidomics using MAETi</h4>Presenter: Julian Beyrle, PhD student (HI-TRON Mainz, DKFZ German Cancer Research Center)Immunopeptidomics has matured into a key technology for advancing personalized cancer immunotherapies. However, current immunopeptidome preparation methods often still require substantial sample inputs or rely on complex technologies like microfluidics, thereby limiting accessibility and scalability. Mild Acid Elution in a Tip (MAETi) offers a simple, antibody-free approach for low-input MHC-I immunopeptidome profiling from 1 million to as few as 25,000 cells. By capturing acid-eluted MHC-I ligands directly on Evotips, complemented by HLA-tailored DDA- and DIA-PASEF in timsTOF mass spectrometers, MAETi achieves unprecedented sensitivity and robustness.<h4>Rapid and Sensitive Immunogenicity Risk Analysis of Early Biotherapeutic Drug Candidates</h4>Presenter: Bob Seward (Principal Scientist, Pfizer)Immunogenicity generated against biotherapeutic drugs can lead to both reduced efficacy and safety in patients. Presentation of drug-derived peptides on HLA class II molecules is a risk factor for development of anti-drug antibody responses in patients. Identification of these peptides early in the drug development process is critical for effective de-immunization strategies. We present here a streamlined and sensitive in vitro cellular and LC-MS based assay workflow which improves sample throughput and reduces turnaround times to enable rapid early drug lead immunogenicity risk analysis.

Evosep Biosystems: Advancing IMMUNOPEPTIDOMICS with Sensitivity, Robustness and High-Throughput

Advancing IMMUNOPEPTIDOMICS with Sensitivity, Robustness and High-Throughput

In this webinar, we explore how Evosep One is transforming immunopeptidomics by enabling faster, more reproducible, and high-throughput workflows.

Advancing Immunopeptidomics: Sensitivity & High-Throughput

Controlling peptide-related impurities is essential to meet regulatory requirements and ensure product quality. The presence of impurities in drug substances and finished products can pose significant immunogenicity risks to patients, potentially leading to drug recalls or warning letters from regulatory bodies.In this webinar, Dr Manoj Metta from the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) will discuss challenges, regulatory expectations and USP solutions to help ensure the quality of peptide therapeutics. Dr Caitlin Hanna from Waters will describe a reverse-phase LC-UV method development case studies for the impurity analysis of fatty-acid modified GLP-1 receptor agonists.Key learning objectives:<ul><li>Understand the key analytical challenges and regulatory expectations for peptide quality assessment</li><li>Learn about USP products and solutions for peptide impurity analysis</li><li>Explore column screening and method development considerations for the analysis of fatty-acid modified GLP-1 receptor agonists</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Manoj Kumar Metta, Ph.D. (Principal Scientist, Global Biologics, United States Pharmacopeia (USP))Dr. Manoj Metta is a seasoned Biological Scientist with 21 years of expertise in biologics quality establishment and regulatory sciences. Currently, he serves as Principal Scientist in Global Biologics at the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), where he specializes in the quality assessment of Monoclonals, Peptides, and Oligonucleotide drug products. Over his 14+ years at US Pharmacopeia, Dr. Manoj has made significant contributions to compendial sciences, including the development of monographs, reference standards, and general chapters for biologics.<div>He also leads research initiatives focused on developing innovative analytical methods, in vitro characterization techniques, and drug release testing methodologies. He is a USP-approved instructor for Biologics education courses and an international speaker, having delivered talks globally. Additionally, he serves as a quality auditor for Quality Management System (QMS) evaluations in supplier qualification.Dr. Manoj received his Ph.D. in Biotechnology from the Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management.</div>Presenter: Caitlin Hanna, Ph.D. (Senior Scientist, Waters Corporation)<div>Caitlin Hanna is an analytical chemist experienced in sample preparation and LC-UV/MS for biopharmaceutical CQA analysis. She received her PhD in Chemistry from the University of California, Irvine in 2019 and joined Waters Corporation in 2022. Currently, she serves as Senior Scientist in the Bioseparations portfolio. Her work focuses on the development and application of sample prep and chromatography tools for assessing the quality of mAb and peptide biotherapeutics.</div>Moderator: Isabelle Vu Trieu (Pharmaceutical Market Development Manager, Americas, Waters Corporation)Isabelle is a business development professional dedicated to delivering benefits to analytical scientists in the life sciences industry. With over 20 years of experience in providing chromatography and mass spectrometry solutions, Isabelle is particularly interested in helping pharmaceutical scientists achieve the data quality and integrity needed to drive decisions for drug quality, safety and efficacy. Isabelle joined Waters in 2009 and currently manages the development of the pharmaceutical market in the Americas. She holds Masters’ degrees in Chemistry from Columbia University and the University Claude Bernard in Lyon, France as well as a Chemical Engineering degree from Ecole Supérieure de Chimie Physique Electronique in Lyon, France.</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: Solving Problems That Matter - a Waters webinar series featuring USP speakers

Peptide Impurities and GLP-1

We will discuss challenges, regulatory expectations and USP solutions to ensure the quality of peptide therapeutics and describe a RP LC-UV method development.

Food safety laboratories face several challenges in meeting the demands of customers and regulators, often with the additional pressure of high sample numbers and the need for fast results. LC-MS/MS can address many of these challenges, but is often thought to be difficult to implement. SCIEX and Phenomenex are keen to ensure our users are supported and successful, so we have developed a number of workflows to address the most important applications. We hope these will allow both experienced scientists and those new to the technique to quickly implement methods and easily achieve the results they need.This online event is designed to introduce the concepts of LC-MS/MS for food safety analysis and to show how easy it can be to set up and optimise routine methods and to troubleshoot common issues.The expert presenters will discuss all aspects of the workflow from sample preparation to reporting in compliance with regulations and will be on-hand to answer any questions throughout the session.Please see the agenda below and register for access to this special course. Certificates of attendance can be provided on request and the presentations will be made available on-demand after the event.<h4>Agenda</h4><h5>10:00 – 10:30: Welcome and introduction to SCIEX and Phenomenex</h5><ul><li>Daniel McMillan, SCIEX</li></ul><h5>10:30 – 11:00: Food sample preparation for LC-MS/MS analyses</h5><ul><li>Nassima Amarouche, Phenomenex</li></ul><h5>11:00 – 11:40: LC-MS/MS experimental design for food safety analyses</h5><ul><li>Kévin Privat, SCIEX</li></ul><h5>11:40 – 12:00: Q&amp;A / Break</h5><h5>12:00 – 12:30: Column choice and chromatographic considerations</h5><ul><li>Nassima Amarouche, Phenomenex</li></ul><h5>12:30 – 13:10: Data processing &amp; reporting in accordance with food safety regulations</h5><ul><li>Carlos Bueno, SCIEX</li></ul><h5>13:10 – 13:40: Overview of latest SCIEX food safety applications</h5><ul><li>Daniel McMillan, SCIEX</li></ul><h5>13:40 – 14:00: Further Q&amp;A / End &nbsp;</h5><blockquote>Presenter: Kévin Privat (Application Support Specialist)I obtained the master’s degree in analytical chemistry at the Paris-Saclay University in 2016. I am in Sciex for 7 years and I am focused on customer’s requests, trainings, and demos for the Southern Europe. I am currently focused on the TripleQuad and QTRAP systems, the Differential Mobility Separation and the EchoMS. I have also a good experience with Sciex OS software and especially with the calculated columns and flagging rules. Most of my time is spent analyzing in food or environmental matrices.Presenter: Nassima Amarouche (Business Development Manager, Phenomenex)Nassima has a masters degree in Analytical Chemistry from Paris XI university, France and PhD in Separation Science from Reims University, France. Since 2013 at Phenomenex.Presenter: Carlos Bueno (Senior Application Support Specialist)I finished my Bachelor Degree in Chemistry in 2001. Before starting working as applications specialist I worked 4 years in Madrid doping control laboratory. Working in Sciex since 2023 as Senior Application Support Specialist for EMEA. More than 20 years of experience in Chromatography and Mass spectrometry mostly focused on the development of application in food and environmental markets.Presenter: Daniel McMillan (Sr Market Development Manager, Food, Environmental &amp; Forensics (EMEAI), SCIEX)Dan has been working in the MS industry for over 20 years as an instrument and applications specialist and is now responsible for developing the food, environmental and forensic markets throughout the EMEAI region. He has worked with major research and regulatory organisations to develop new applications in line with legislation, primarily in the area of contaminant analysis. Recent changes in the requirements imposed on and the challenges facing laboratories are constantly evolving, and Dan’s role is now primarily to ensure Sciex produce relevant solutions and to promote them in industry.</blockquote>

SCIEX: Spring school for food safety analysis

Spring school for food safety analysis

This online event is designed to introduce the concepts of LC-MS/MS for food safety analysis 

 Spring school for food safety analysis

Ion chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (IC-MS) is an advanced tool for derivatization-free, high-resolution characterization of carbohydrates. This technique holds significant promise for the identification and structural analysis of unknown oligosaccharides. Building on a successful collaboration with Dr. Neil Rumachik’s team at Thermo Fisher Scientific, Dr. Fiona Cuskin’s group at Newcastle University secured funding to acquire a Thermo Scientific™ Dionex™ ICS-6000 HPIC™ system, equipped with both a Thermo Scientific™ electrochemical detector and a Thermo Scientific™ Orbitrap™ Exploris 240 mass spectrometer. Since the installation, the team has utilized this advanced system to analyze a diverse array of carbohydrates, including those with both known and unknown structures.In this webinar Fiona will present their latest findings on N-glycans, human milk oligosaccharides, microbial polysaccharide degradation by enzymes, and more. The aim is to showcase the versatility of the IC-MS system in analyzing and characterizing carbohydrates from a wide variety of sources with differing structures.Dr Fiona Cuskin and Neil Rumachik will be available after the presentation to answer all your questions in a live Q&amp;A session<blockquote>Presenter: Dr. Fiona Cuskin (Lecturer in metabolic biochemistry, Newcastle University)Dr. Fiona Cuskin is a lecturer in metabolic biochemistry at Newcastle University, her research is focussed on understanding the molecular mechanisms of complex carbohydrate degradation in microbial communities such as the human gut microbiome. Her work uses various methods to characterise enzymes involved in carbohydrate degradation including ion chromatography. She has over 15 years’ experience using ion chromatography for carbohydrate analysis.Presenter: Neil Rumachik (Manager of Applications Development, Thermo Fisher Scientific)Neil Rumachik is the Manager of Applications Development within the marketing division of the Ion Chromatography and Sample Preparation business unit at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Before transitioning to the marketing team, Neil spent five years as a staff scientist in R&amp;D at Thermo, where he developed innovative IC-MS products and workflows for carbohydrate analysis. With over a decade of experience at the intersection of chemistry and biology, Neil has focused on developing cross-disciplinary methods and utilizing multi-omics platforms to advance biological studies. His primary research interests include the application of chemistries and hyphenated mass spectrometry technologies for the characterization of biological samples. Neil completed his graduate studies in Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley (MS), and Stanford University (PhD) under the mentorship of Professor Carolyn Bertozzi before joining Thermo Fisher Scientific.</blockquote>

Thermo Fisher Scientific: Characterizing complex carbohydrates with IC-MS

Characterizing complex carbohydrates with IC-MS

The aim of the webinar is to showcase the versatility of the IC-MS system in analyzing and characterizing carbohydrates

Discover the latest innovations in biopharma with a focus on monoclonal antibody (mAb) characterization. This session highlights how Shimadzu’s advanced LCMS-9050 Q-TOF and Protein Metrics software deliver precise analysis of complex biomolecules. Learn how high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) paired with optimized data processing can effectively deliver identification and quantification of Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs) including intact mass and post-translational modifications (PTMs).Gain actionable insights into our end-to-end workflow solution—from best practices in sample preparation to selecting the right columns and consumables—designed to optimize analytical accuracy and reproducibility. Whether in early discovery or late-stage processes, this session provides essential strategies to meet the evolving demands of mAb analysis to advance your biopharmaceutical analysis.<h5>Learning Objectives:</h5><ul><li>Understand the principles and applications of monoclonal antibody (mAb) characterization using Shimadzu’s Q-TOF LCMS-9050</li><li>Explore how Protein Metrics software streamlines data processing in biopharmaceutical analysis</li><li>Gain insights into an end-to-end workflow, covering sample preparation, column selection, and consumables to ensure reproducibility and high-quality results across all development stages</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Sheldon Gao (Customer Success Scientist, Protein Metrics)Sheldon Gao, who holds a master’s degree from China Pharmaceutical University specializing in pharmaceutical analysis and protein racemization, has been a Customer Success Scientist at Protein Metrics since 2022. In this role, he provides technical expertise and support to customers across China and the APAC region. Prior to this, Sheldon worked at Merck, where he focused on developing LC-MS/MS methods and protein characterization. Today, he will introduce Byos, highlighting its core features and showcasing its ability to streamline protein characterization data processing efficiently.Presenter:&nbsp;Shannie Tay (Senior Application Specialist (LCMS) Shimadzu (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd)Shannie Tay is a Senior Application Specialist at Shimadzu (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd, bringing a wealth of experience in LCMS platforms and a strong background in the biopharmaceutical industry. Her expertise in mAb characterization, quality control, and method development has been honed through positions at leading organizations such as Nestlé NQAC, CellVec Pte Ltd, and Tychan Pte Ltd. At Nestlé R&amp;D, she served as a subject master coach for LCMS triple quad systems, conducting ISO 17025-compliant QC tests. Later, at CellVec and Tychan, Shannie led the QC team, establishing workflows and achieving GMP certification. She authored application notes on mAb characterization, developing an end-to-end workflow with the LCMS-9050 Q-TOF, encompassing sample preparation to data analysis. Widely respected for her ability to create effective analytical workflows and deliver advanced training, Shannie has earned a solid industry reputation for her contributions to QC processes and solutions to complex issues. She will offer valuable insights in today’s discussion.Presenter:&nbsp;Derrick Tan (Senior Application Chemist (Consumables) Shimadzu (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd)Dr Derrick obtained his PhD in Chemistry from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.With over 7 years of extensive research experience, Dr Derrick has specialized in various areas, including small molecules, nucleic acids, peptides, and protein synthesis, as well as separation and purification techniques. He joined Shimadzu (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd in 2021 as an Application Chemist (Consumables).In this role, he is responsible for providing technical support and application expertise for consumables in chromatography and spectroscopy. Portfolio under his care includes a wide range of products, such as LC and GC columns, UV/Vis cuvettes, sample preparation products, sample vials, and other accessories.</blockquote>

Shimadzu: Advanced mAb Characterization With LCMS-9050 QTOF And Byos

Advanced mAb Characterization With LCMS-9050 QTOF And Byos

We will introduce an innovative system with dual analysis capability for both PFAS and cyanotoxins, adhering to EPA Methods 

Only one in four transplant waitlisted patients receive a life-saving organ. Xenotransplantation of pig organs into humans is a promising avenue for addressing organ shortage. Understanding the immune and physiological responses in these xenotransplants is crucial for future success in compassionate use and first-in-human trials. Seven gene-edited pig organs were transplanted into brain dead or living human in NYU in the last 3 years. These studies allowed us to generate and combine a number of omic datasets, including extensive transcriptomics spanning PBMC bulk RNA-seq, tissue and PBMC sc/snRNAseq and spatial transcriptomics; and various targeted and untargeted proteomic and metabolomic profiling. Plasma and urine samples were collected every day along with frequent xenograft tissue biopsies.&nbsp;This presentation focuses on blood proteomics and metabolomics in these xenotransplant recipients and illustrates the power of integrative omics to detect physiological and immunological changes in these unique experiments. Learning Objectives<ul><li>Examine the potential of xenotransplantation as a solution to the organ shortage crisis, focusing on recent advancements and the transplantation of gene-edited pig organs into humans.</li><li>Understand the methodologies and significance of generating and integrating various omic datasets (transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) in studying immune and physiological responses in xenotransplant recipients.</li><li>Learn about the use of mass spectrometry to generate proteomics and metabolomics data.</li></ul>Webinars will be available for unlimited on-demand viewing after live event.<blockquote>Presenter: Brendan Keating, PhD (Associate Professor, Division of Transplantation, Dept of Surgery and Institute of Systems Genetics, New York University Langone Health)Brendan Keating, Is an Associate Professor in the Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, and The Institute of Systems Genetics, New York University (NYU) Langone Health, USA, with adjunct positions in University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He received his D.Phil. (Ph.D.) in molecular genetics from Christ Church College, at the University of Oxford, UK with his thesis completed in the Department of Clinical Medicine, and the Wellcome Trust Center for Human Genetics. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Institute of Translational Medicine and Therapeutics (ITMAT) and faculty position in Departments of Pediatrics and Surgery at UPenn, and he was also a visiting Scientist at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK.His Lab research interests focus on the analyses of polymorphisms and omics transplant donor and recipient’s genomes, to discover and validate genomic signals that underpin graft rejection and post-transplant complications in allotransplant, and pig to human xenotransplant settings. He instigated the formation of an international genomics consortium (iGeneTRAIN) for large-scale genomic studies. Dr. Keating also leads a Phase IV clinical trial for the early detection, diagnoses and treatment of influenza in transplant households using wearable devices.</blockquote>

Thermo Fisher Scientific: From pigs to patients: The omics edge in xenotransplantation

From pigs to patients: The omics edge in xenotransplantation

This presentation focuses on blood proteomics and metabolomics in these xenotransplant recipients and illustrates the power of integrative omics

This webinar, co-hosted by Phenomenex and the Bio-Analytical Separation Science Group at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, will delve into actionable insights into optimizing impurity profiling workflows. The speakers will showcase the potential of ion-pair reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (IP-RPLC-MS) for high-throughput and high-resolution impurity profiling to enhance the efficacy and safety of oligonucleotide therapeutics. These oligonucleotide therapeutics offer precise gene modulation for tackling rare genetic diseases, with 23 confirmed FDA-approved therapies.The speaker will explore how base, ribose, and phosphate modifications enhance therapeutic performance by improving binding affinity, thermostability, and nuclease resistance. Further, they will identify and characterize key impurities such as shortmers and phosphodiester byproducts, while exploring methodological strategies to optimize their analysis to ensure more reliable and effective drug development.Attendees will gain practical insights into optimizing impurity profiling workflows, helping them enhance the quality and safety of their oligonucleotide therapeutics. If you’re involved in CGT development, this session will equip you with actionable tools to streamline your analysis and stay ahead in this rapidly evolving field.<ul><li>Learn how base, ribose, and phosphate modifications enhance therapeutic performance through improved binding affinity, thermostability, and nuclease resistance</li><li>Discover strategies to optimize high-resolution impurity profiling for oligonucleotide therapeutics</li><li>Explore the effects of preheater optimization and fluoroalcohol selection on chromatographic performance and mass spectrometry detection</li><li>Evaluate different column materials to improve impurity detection and separation efficiency in your analysis</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Dr. Sebastiaan Eeltink (Full Professor and Lead Investigator of the Eeltink Laboratory, University of Brussels)Dr. Sebastiaan Eeltink is a Full Professor and lead investigator of the Eeltink Laboratory at the University of Brussels and an Editor of Analytical Science Advances at Wiley. His team focuses on developing and designing novel analytics for the high-resolution profiling of biomolecules and biomolecular interactions using ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) and multi-dimensional liquid chromatographic workflows with mass spectrometry (MS) detection. In addition, his team also manages the University’s proteomics platform which offers high-performance LC-MS proteomics profiling expertise and advise to academic and industrial collaborators.Presenter:&nbsp;Quang-Dong Bui (PhD Student, University of Brussels)Quang-Dong Bui is currently a PhD student at University of Brussels under the supervision of Professor Sebastiaan Eeltink, where he develops analytical methods for key oligonucleotide projects and is an active scientist in the oligonucleotide and mRNA research community.Presenter:&nbsp;Jokubas Leikauskas (Editor, BioInsights)</blockquote>

Phenomenex: Mastering IP-RPLC-MS for high-throughput & high-resolution oligonucleotide impurity profiling

Mastering IP-RPLC-MS for high-throughput & high-resolution oligonucleotide impurity profiling

This webinar will delve into actionable insights into optimizing impurity profiling workflows. 

IP-RPLC-MS for High-Throughput Oligo Impurity Profiling

<h4>An introduction to accurate mass and Quadrupole-Time-of-Flight technology with SCIEX</h4>Until recently, nominal mass triple quadrupole technology was considered the gold standard for quantitative assays. In contrast, high-resolution mass spectrometry was primarily used for qualitative, semi-quantitative, and non-targeted workflows, such as metabolite identification, screening, and X-Omics. However, advancements in technology, including faster scan speeds and improved ion optics, have expanded the capabilities of high-resolution spectrometry. Now, it can be effectively applied to both qualitative and quantitative workflows.&nbsp;The ZenoTOF 7600 system, with its high scan rates and enhanced duty cycle at the MS2 level, bridges the gap between these approaches, offering a greater return on investment by reducing data acquisition times and maintaining sensitivity without compromising data quality. This webinar series will focus on how to transition from the Triple Quad to a high-resolution environment for different applications.This webinar series will contain 3 parts. Each part will be 20 minutes with a 10 minute Q&amp;A.<h4>Part 1: Fundamentals of accurate mass</h4><ul><li>Theory behind accurate mass</li><li>How accurate mass works</li><li>Acquisition capabilities&nbsp;</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Jessica Smith (Market Development Manager Software EMEAI, SCIEX)Jessica joined SCIEX in 2021 as a technical marketing specialist; her responsibilities included managing projects throughout EMEAI and creating new technical marketing content. Her current role is Marketing Development Manager Software EMEAI, educating customers on the transition from Analyst software to SCIEX OS software. Jessica also studied for a Ph.D. in materials chemistry for environmental applications.</blockquote>

SCIEX: An introduction to accurate mass and Quadrupole-Time-of-Flight technology with SCIEX

Fundamentals of accurate mass

Join SCIEX specialists to learn about theory behind accurate mass and how accurate mass works.

<div><div container-id="cq-colctrl-lt0" comp-id="A1"><div>A recent study by the European Commission estimated that food fraud costs the global economy between €30 and €40 billion annually. This includes losses incurred by businesses due to product recalls, damage to brand reputation, and increased regulatory compliance costs.Ongoing public demand for more information concerning food safety, authenticity, and origins continues to drive tighter regulations around the use, supply, and labelling of specific foods and ingredients – making this a primary concern for food businesses across many sectors. In many countries, food manufacturers must provide clear labelling to indicate when specific ingredients are present, including certain allergenic materials and genetically modified organisms (GMO), as well as to provide evidence of certain product claims, e.g. vegan.The average cost of a product recall can be around $10 million, and larger recalls can cost over $100 million. Overall, food fraud not only poses economic and ethical issues but also represents a serious public health risk, emphasizing the need for stringent food authenticity management and testing. Join our experts for a better understanding of food authenticity management for a better protection of the brands and the consumers.<h5>Why Attend?</h5><ul><li>Gain insights into the pressing challenges of food fraud and authenticity.</li><li>Learn from our experts about effective management strategies.</li><li>Discover the latest tools and technologies in food authenticity testing.</li><li>Engage with peers and participate in an interactive quiz</li></ul><h5>Agenda:</h5><ul><li>What is Food Authenticity? Understanding the basics of food authenticity and its significance.</li><li>Quiz: Let’s Play Together! An interactive quiz to test your knowledge on food authenticity testing and engage with the topic. Impacts of Food Fraud: Why It Matters? Exploring the economic, health, and reputational impacts of food fraud on the global food industry.</li><li>How to Implement Food Authenticity Management Case study and practical strategies and management practices to ensure food authenticity within your organization.</li><li>Available Testing Tools and Benefits: A look at the latest testing tools available to combat food fraud and their benefits.</li><li>Closing remarks and Q&amp;A</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Sandra Fréville (Tactical Marketing Manager EM/APJ Food Industry, Thermo Fisher Scientific MBD)I'm the Regional Tactical Manager in the Microbiology division of Thermo Scientific dedicated to Industries. I'm graduated in biochemistry technologies and obtained a master’s degree in sale technics applied to biotechnology devices and reagents at the Superior School of Technics applied to Biology (ESTBA) in Paris. Bring and highlight solutions that help food industry to face its daily challenges and that guarantee safe products from the farm to the fork makes really sense to me. Being useful to the food industry actors by contributing to food safety culture improvement drove me to evolve for the last 20 years in sales and marketing applied to food diagnostic with an area of focus in alternative validated cultural and molecular methods for food pathogen testing.Presenter: Irene Rapti (Senior Product Manager- Molecular Solutions, Thermo Fisher Scientific)I am a global health technology expert with 25 years of experience driving commercial excellence in the healthcare industry. Skilled in product management across both small enterprises and large corporations, I have a proven track record of managing highly regulated and innovative products, including molecular diagnostic IVD tests. My expertise encompasses Upstream and Downstream Marketing, Strategic Marketing Plans, Product Roadmaps, Product Launches, PPI, and New Product Development. Having lived and worked in the UK and Greece, I currently collaborate remotely with teams in over 20 countries, covering key regions such as Europe, the US, and Asia Pacific. I excel at motivating and engaging international teams to anticipate and respond to market trends. My educational background includes a degree in Biotechnology from London South Bank University and a Master's in Molecular Medicine from UCL.</blockquote></div></div></div>

Thermo Fisher Scientific: Food Integrity: Strategies to Ensure Authenticity and Combat Fraud

Food Integrity: Strategies to Ensure Authenticity and Combat Fraud

Gain insights into the pressing challenges of food fraud and authenticity 

Food Integrity: Ensuring Authenticity and Preventing Fraud

<div>Sequence variants in protein therapeutics can significantly impact the biological activity of a drug. These mutations may alter protein structure, leading to undesirable immune responses in patients, compromising drug stability or reducing therapeutic efficacy. Detecting and controlling sequence variants is a critical regulatory requirement and early detection allows for necessary adjustments in the manufacturing process to ensure batch consistency.This webinar will explore how to detect challenging sequence variants by applying an icIEF-UV/MS workflow on the Intabio ZT system. Additionally, we will discuss the subsequent characterization using EAD-enabled LC/MS methods on the ZenoTOF 7600 system. We will also explore a case study that highlights how a cell and developability science team identified a previously uncharacterized sequence variant in a CMC program, and utilized novel workflows to develop a mitigation strategy for monitoring this variant in current and future programs.<h5>Key Learnings:</h5><ul><li>Impact of variants - Learn how sequence variants affect drug efficacy, stability and immune responses</li><li>Detection methods - &nbsp;Discover icIEF-UV/MS and EAD-enabled LC/MS techniques for identifying variants</li><li>Case study - Gain insights from a real-world example of identifying and mitigating a sequence variant</li></ul><h5>Who should attend:</h5><ul><li>Principal Scientist</li><li>Senior Scientist</li><li>Analytical Development</li><li>Cell Line Development</li><li>Associate Director &nbsp;</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Kristen Nields (Principal Scientist, Johnson &amp; Johnson Innovative Medicine)Presenter: Riley Schaefer (Co-Op Scientist II, Johnson &amp; Johnson Innovative Medicine)</blockquote></div>

Wiley: From Detection to Mitigation: Managing Sequence Variants in Biotherapeutics

From Detection to Mitigation: Managing Sequence Variants in Biotherapeutics

This webinar will explore how to detect challenging sequence variants by applying icIEF-UV/MS workflow on the Intabio ZT system

LCMS webinars focusing on LC/HRMS - page 14

Fundamentals of accurate mass

Food Integrity: Strategies to Ensure Authenticity and Combat Fraud

From Detection to Mitigation: Managing Sequence Variants in Biotherapeutics

From pigs to patients: The omics edge in xenotransplantation

Spring school for food safety analysis

Advancing IMMUNOPEPTIDOMICS with Sensitivity, Robustness and High-Throughput

Mastering IP-RPLC-MS for high-throughput & high-resolution oligonucleotide impurity profiling

Peptide Impurities and GLP-1

Advanced mAb Characterization With LCMS-9050 QTOF And Byos

Characterizing complex carbohydrates with IC-MS

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