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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Scientists

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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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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Thermo Fisher Scientific

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Contaminants in the sample matrix can create chromatography issues, system downtime, and unreliable test results. Having clean samples can help prevent most of these problems. There are many options for sample cleanup.
We’ll discuss the following options:
<ul>
<li>Solid phase extraction (SPE), which provides the cleanest sample.
</li>
<li>“Targeted” filtration, which can remove specific interferences from the sample matrix and provides clean samples.
</li>
</ul>
In this talk, we’ll discuss tips for selecting, developing, and implementing SPE methods. We’ll also discuss newly developed targeted filtration options and their benefits.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Golnar Javadi (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Golnar Javadi is an applications engineer providing online applications assistance and technical support for LC columns and supplies, Sample Preparation products, and Spectroscopy supplies.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Before joining Varian and then Agilent, Golnar worked in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries on method development and quality control. She also taught college level chemistry courses for a few years.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Golnar then joined Varian as a technical support specialist, providing customers with method development assistance and technical support on Sample Preparation (SPE, SLE, and Filtration), HPLC, GC, ToxiLab and DAT. After the Varian-Agilent merger, Golnar joined Agilent Technologies as an Applications Engineer. She provides technical support to customers on Sample Preparation products, Liquid Chromatography columns, and Spectroscopy supplies.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Sample Cleanup: Method Development for Solid Phase Extraction and Beyond

Sample Cleanup: Method Development for Solid Phase Extraction and Beyond

We’ll discuss tips for selecting, developing, and implementing SPE methods. We’ll also discuss newly developed targeted filtration options and their benefits.

Sample Cleanup: Method Development for SPE

We invite you to join a hybrid event on October 15th to explore the latest solutions and workflows for overcoming environmental and food contaminant testing challenges.This event will be broadcast live from the laboratory at Thermo Fisher Scientific Customer Solutions Center (CSC) in Paris. You can join in person at one of our many 'satellite' venues worldwide, where we will offer an extended agenda, or participate remotely through the live broadcast.During the live stream broadcast, you will meet our Customer Solution Centre specialist team and leading industry expert, John Quick, as they discuss innovative solutions to meet the ever-evolving testing demands. There will be plenty of time to ask these experts your questions.The following sessions will be streamed all over Europe and beyond:<ul><li>Detecting PFAS in drinking water to meet regulations across Europe – New automated sample preparation high-resolution MS solution to achieve parts per trillion detection limits. Aristide Ganci,&nbsp;Senior Product Application Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific; Valérie Thibert, Senior Product Application Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific; Bénédicte Gauriat, Senior Product Application Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific</li><li>New ready-to-go pesticide residue solution for faster, more confident results Zoe Julian, Product Marketing Specialist, Manager; Bénédicte Gauriat, Senior Product Application Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific; Julie Moriceau, Senior Product Application Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific</li><li>Low-level contaminant testing in environmental water matrices&nbsp;– High-Resolution Accurate Mass GC-MS approach to meet future regulations John Quick, Principal Scientist, ALS Environmental Ltd</li></ul>After the live stream concludes, 'satellite' locations offer a unique program onsite. Take this unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals, or join us to explore, network, and collaborate on your future projects. Scroll below to the venue of your choice to discover the individual agenda.Participation is free of charge, registration is required.For any questions about this event or regarding your registration, please email <a href="mailto:CMDEvents@thermofisher.com">CMDEvents@thermofisher.com</a>.<h3>Preliminary agenda</h3><h5>10:15 Live streaming of this event to ‘satellite’ locations and online audience</h5><h5>10:30 Introduction</h5><ul><li>Jeff Stubbs (Business Development Manager, Environment and Food Safety, Thermo Fisher Scientific)</li></ul><h5>10:55 Detecting PFAS in drinking water to meet regulations across Europe - New automated sample preparation high-resolution MS solution to achieve ppt detection limits</h5><ul><li>A Ganci, V Thibert and B Gauriat (Senior Product Application Specialists, Thermo Fisher Scientific)</li></ul><h5>11:35 Break</h5><h5>12:05 New ready-to-go pesticide residue solution for faster, more confident results</h5><ul><li>Z Julian, Product Marketing, B Gauriat, and J Moriceau (Senior Product Application Specialists Thermo Fisher Scientific)</li></ul><h5>12:45 Low-level contaminant testing in environmental water matrices – high-resolution GCMS approach to meet future regulations</h5><ul><li>John Quick (Principal Scientist, ALS Environmental Ltd)</li></ul><h5>13:15 Closing comments</h5><h5>13:30 End of live streaming</h5><div><div container-id="cq-colctrl-lt7" comp-id="B1"><div><div><div><div><div><div><blockquote><h3>How to attend?</h3>3 ways of attending:Customer Solution Centre (in-person event):&nbsp; Join the heart of the event at our Customer Solution Center in Paris, where the main agenda will be hosted and live-streamed worldwide to our ‘Satellite’ locations and our audience.Join a ‘Satellite’ location (in-person event):&nbsp; Our in-person ‘Satellite’ events will broadcast the main agenda live-streamed from our Customer Solution Center in Paris and supplement the day with local presentations, lab tours, or workshops. Take this opportunity to meet your Thermo Fisher representatives and industry experts from the region. Discover the individual agenda for your ‘Satellite’ location of interest.Online attendees (remote):&nbsp; Unable to travel to a ‘Satellite’ event? Not a problem! You can register to attend conveniently online from your desk or anywhere else through the live stream from our Customer Solutions Center in Paris.</blockquote></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

Thermo Scientific: Solutions for environmental and food contaminant testing

Solutions for environmental and food contaminant testing

New and advancing workflows to meet and exceed European regulations.

This comprehensive webinar will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in N-glycan analysis, from sample preparation to data interpretation.Enhance your understanding of the latest tools Agilent offers to address your biotherapeutic characterization needs.<h4>By attending this webinar, you will:</h4><ul><li>Understand the significance of N-glycans &nbsp;</li><li>Learn about the latest N-glycan sample preparation techniques &nbsp;</li><li>Understand how to select the right columns and perform HILIC separations &nbsp;</li><li>Analyze data with the new Glycan Peak Assignment Tool</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Tom Rice (Bioconsumables Product Manager, Agilent Technologies)Tom Rice is the Bioconsumables Product Manager at Agilent Technologies, coming to Agilent through the acquisition of ProZyme in 2018. Prior to joining Agilent, he held various sales and marketing roles within ProZyme beginning in 2014. Much of Tom’s work, both at ProZyme and Agilent, has been focused on bringing innovative glycobiology solutions to biopharma customers. Tom is based in California and holds a B.S. from Sonoma State University.Presenter:&nbsp;Randall Robinson (Research and Development Scientist, Chemistries and Supplies Division at Agilent Technologies)Randall Robinson is a Research and Development Scientist in the Chemistries and Supplies Division at Agilent. Prior to joining Agilent in 2021, Randall completed his PhD in food chemistry with a focus on developing analytical techniques to characterize bioactive oligosaccharides in milk and dairy streams. Since joining Agilent, he has contributed to the design of numerous products utilized for N-glycan analysis, including the HILIC column described in this presentation.</blockquote>

Separation Science: Streamlining N-Glycan Analysis: A Complete Workflow from Agilent

Streamlining N-Glycan Analysis: A Complete Workflow from Agilent

Learn about the latest N-Glycan sample preparation techniques.

Streamlining N-Glycan Analysis: A Complete Workflow

LC/MS has played a critical role in bringing new monoclonal antibody-based therapies to market, enabling comprehensive characterization. However, sample preparation continues to remain a bottleneck as it is both time consuming and can introduce variability in LC-MS studies.In this webinar, you will learn how you can leverage the Andrew+ Pipetting Robot to automate sample preparation prior to LC-MS studies of monoclonal antibodies.Examples discussed will include:<ul><li>Monoclonal antibody purification &nbsp;</li><li>Monitoring mAB oxidation at the subunit level &nbsp;</li><li>Glycan profiling</li></ul>By automating sample preparation prior to LC-MS studies, Scientists can focus on experimental design and data analysis while eliminating a major source of variability.<blockquote>Presenter: N. Dilip Padliya, PhD (Principal Product Marketing Manager, Laboratory Automation, Waters Corporation)N. Dilip Padliya recently joined the Laboratory Automation division of Waters, focused on automating sample preparation in LC-MS, Bioanalysis, Proteomics, Lipidomics, and Metabolomics. His prior work experience includes running a Proteomics research group at Celgene (now part of Bristol Myers Squibb). He has authored 7 peer reviewed publications and is a co-inventor on 10 patents.</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: Automated Sample Prep Prior to LC-MS Studies of Monoclonal Antibodies

Automated Sample Prep Prior to LC-MS Studies of Monoclonal Antibodies

How you can leverage the Andrew+ Pipetting Robot to automate sample preparation prior to LC-MS studies of monoclonal antibodies.

Automated Sample Prep Prior to LC-MS Studies

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

Researchers in early antibody and protein drug development are now harnessing the power of automation to transform traditional purification techniques into high-throughput, automated processes.This game-changing approach lets them explore protein expression, stability, and functionality before scaling up to larger volumes. While protein scientists excel in engineering and purification, the complexities of automation bring new challenges that can significantly impact workflow and performance.Join us for an exciting webinar by Biotage, where we’ll dive into the evolution of major automated, small-scale protein purification platforms over the past 20 years. By focusing on screening and process development applications, you’ll gain invaluable insights that will help you choose the perfect automation platform for your needs. We’ll cover everything from entry barriers (such as time and cost) to automation efficiency, downstream compatibility, and overall performance. Plus, we’ll present comparative performance data across platforms, highlighting key metrics for optimizing protein purification such as yield, concentration, consistency, and purity.<h4>What you will learn:</h4><ul><li>Valuable insights into how automation platforms are used in screening and process development applications &nbsp;</li><li>Tips on selecting the appropriate automation platform for your specific needs &nbsp;</li><li>Understanding the time and cost barriers to adopting automation &nbsp;</li><li>Evaluating the efficiency of different automation platforms and assessing how well they integrate with downstream processes &nbsp;</li><li>Comparative performance data across the platforms – protein yield, concentration, consistency, and purity</li></ul><h4>Who should attend:</h4><ul><li>Protein Scientists: Those involved in protein engineering and purification</li><li>Biotech Researchers: Professionals working on antibody and protein drug development</li><li>Research Scientists: Individuals focusing on high-throughput screening and process development</li><li>Lab Managers: Those overseeing laboratory workflows and looking to integrate automation</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Gabrielle Kerkow (Application Scientist, Biotage)Gabrielle Kerkow earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering and Psychology from Louisiana State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Biotechnology at San Jose State University. Having experience with chromatography, she joined Biotage as an Application Scientist, focusing on automating protein and plasmid purification on liquid handlers. Her role involves method development, programming for high-throughput purification, and evaluating the performance of protein purification.</blockquote>

Separation Science: Elevating Protein Purification Efficiency: Transitioning from Manual Techniques to Automated Platforms

Elevating Protein Purification Efficiency: Transitioning from Manual Techniques to Automated Platforms

The complexities of automation bring new challenges that can significantly impact workflow and performance.

Elevating Protein Purification Efficiency

<h4>Key Learning Points:</h4><ul><li>Identify the common challenges associated with solid phase extraction methods &nbsp;</li><li>Understand and troubleshoot the recovery, contamination and reproducibility issues &nbsp;</li><li>Learn how to find and apply solutions to develop robust and reproducible extraction methods for their sample preparation needs</li></ul><h4>Who Should Attend:</h4><ul><li>Any scientists who wants to learn about solid phase extraction and it’s associated challenges, common troubleshooting steps and solutions to develop robust and reproducible extraction methods for their sample preparation needs</li></ul><blockquote>Presnter: Namrata Saxena (Technical Manager, Phenomenex)Namrata is the Technical Manager for the Asia-Pacific region in Phenomenex and is based in Sydney, Australia. As a member of the global technical team, she is responsible for assisting external customers as well as internal marketing and sales teams of Phenomenex for multifarious technical queries. She specifically support company’s bio-products portfolio through external and internal seminars/webinars, trainings and also contribute in biologics related technical content creation.Before joining Phenomenex she had worked as a Product Specialist and spent several years in stationary phase chemistry, column manufacturing and method development groups in a German company Bischoff Chromatography GmbH.Namrata has a post graduate degree with specialization in Analytical Chemistry. Her competence and focus lies in biotherapeutics characterization through liquid chromatography, antibodies and oligonucleotide chemistry, gene therapy and new bio-therapeutic modalities.</blockquote>

Phenomenex: Solid Phase Extraction Troubleshooting Tips and Tricks

Solid Phase Extraction Troubleshooting Tips and Tricks

Identify the common challenges associated with solid phase extraction methods.

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.

Measurement of FT4 and FT3 is typically performed by immunoassay, however these can be prone to suffer from interferences and a lack of selectivity. Currently, the accepted gold standard for the measurement of FT4 and FT3 is using equilibrium dialysis (ED) and combined with the use of LC-MS/MS can overcome the issues with immunoassay in the measurement of FT4 and FT3. However, the equilibrium dialysis procedure can be quite time consuming and often being performed overnight.Here, we describe a simple clinical research method to perform ED using a commercially available device followed by sample preparation by solid phase extraction (SPE) and UPLC-MS/MS analysis using the Waters™ ACQUITY™ UPLC and analytically sensitive Xevo™ TQ Absolute Mass Spectrometer for clinical research. Data analysis and review has been simplified with the use of the waters_connect™ with QUAN Review Software. This has allowed for the complete workflow including equilibrium dialysis to be performed within a typical working day.Simplified Equilibrium Dialysis for the UPLC-MS/MS Analysis of Free Testosterone (FT) for Clinical ResearchHistorically, the measurement of free testosterone in human serum has presented a challenge for laboratory scientists, with such a large portion bound and the complexity and time involved in “gold standard” equilibrium dialysis. With a simple, fast, workflow combined with the analytical sensitivity afforded by the Waters Xevo™ TQ Absolute Mass Spectrometer, a newly developed, precise, accurate and selective clinical research method will be presented.<blockquote>Presenter: Robert Wardle (Senior Clinical Scientist, Waters Corporation)Robert Wardle is currently a Senior Scientist employed at Waters Corporation in Wilmslow, UK, performing research and development of applications and products for Clinical Research. His primary area of research is vitamins and in particular vitamin D metabolites, steroid hormones and in-depth knowledge of offline and online automation.Robert joined Waters in 2010 as a Clinical Validation Scientist, playing a key role in verification activities for the MassTrak XE Immunosuppressants kit available in the EU. He moved into his current role as a Senior Scientist in 2013, where he developed clinical research methods for a range of applications including vitamin D metabolites, estrogens, a large panel of steroid hormones and more recently this application on free T4 and free T3.Presenter: Stephen Balloch (Senior Clinical Scientist, Waters Corporation)Stephen Balloch graduated from the University of York (UK) with a Master’s degree in Chemistry, which included a strong focus on analytical chemistry. Subsequently he worked as a laboratory scientist in a GLP compliant research facility, progressing to Study Director. And, since 2010, he has been part of the clinical team at Waters (Wilmslow, UK). His principal focus has been on the development and validation of bioanalytical methods according to CLSI guidelines, with a focus on therapeutic drug monitoring. Additionally, he has supported newborn screening, vitamin and steroid analysis, including this clinical research method for free testosterone</blockquote>

Free Testosterone and Free T3/T4

Simplified Equilibrium Dialysis and SPE Method for the UPLC™-MS/MS Analysis of Free Thyroxine (FT4) and Triiodothyronine (FT3) for Clinical Research.

<div><div><div>Pure MHC, a pioneer in immunopeptidomics, has partnered with Bruker, a leader in state-of-the-art mass spectrometry, to demonstrate one of Pure MHC’s immunopeptidomics workflows. In this Live from the Lab webinar, tissue sample processing, data acquisition with a Bruker timsTOF Ultra, and data analysis will be reviewed as tools for the development and validation of HLA peptide targets for immunopeptidomic development.Key Learning Objectives:<ul><li>Get insights into Pure MHC's sample preparation strategies to maximize the yield of immunopeptides from tissue samples</li><li>Discover how the unparalleled sensitivity and robustness of the Bruker timsTOF Ultra empowers users to maximize the potential of their immunopeptide samples</li><li>Understand data processing workflows for both DDA and DIA data processing</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Curtis McMurtrey, Ph.D. (Director of Immunoproteomics, Pure MHC, LLC, Oklahoma City, OK, USA)Dr. McMurtrey earned his Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 2010. He currently serves as the Director of Immuno-Proteomics at Pure MHC, LLC.Dr. McMurtrey has studied HLA and its role in immunity since 2005. He is a member of American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI) and holds the distinction of having won four ASHI Top Scholar Awards, more than any other scientist in the history of ASHI. Dr. McMurtrey is most notable for his work on West Nile virus epitope discovery and validation with HLA-A*02:01 and B*07:02; epitopes he discovered have been successfully tested in a WNV vaccine (collaboration with Drs. Hansen and Diamond at Washington University). His most recent accolades come from discovery of MR1 ligands from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) as well as over 200 novel ligands from Toxoplasma gondii utilizing Deep Ligand Sequencing (DLS).Dr. McMurtrey has expertise in BSL-3 containment techniques, protein purification, HLA ligand isolation, HPLC separation, mass spectrometric analysis, ELISPOT, and multicolor flow cytometry as well as provides bioinformatics expertise. To date, he has directed mass spectrometry (both IDA and SWATH) acquisition as well as comparative analysis and interpretation for a wide variety of MHC ligands including those from tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, influenza, WNV, HIV and multiple cancers. Dr. Curtis McMurtrey oversees DLS acquisition and analyses and also manages database library collection.Presenter: Jason R. Krawic, Ph.D. (Business Development Manager, Pure MHC, LLC, Oklahoma City, OK, USA)Dr. Krawic earned his Master’s degree in Biomolecular Sciences from Central Connecticut State University in 2012 before returning to academia and earning his Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 2024. He currently serves as the Director of Business Development at Pure MHC, LLC.Dr. Krawic began his scientific career teaching Microbiology, Biology, and Chemistry to community college students in Connecticut and Oklahoma. He has studied HLA and non-classical MHC molecules since 2018. He is most recognized for discovering multiple isomeric conformations of MR1 ligands, as well as his work in MHC Class I and Class II ligands and cancer immunotherapies.Dr. Krawic’s expertise ranges from classical microbiology and bacteriology to HPLC separation, protein purification, negative ion mode small molecule mass spectrometry, DDA, DIA and MRM acquisition and a variety of bioinformatics tools. In addition to his scientific career, Dr. Krawic has more than a decade of experience in sales and retail management. With this skill set he combines his science and sales backgrounds to serve Pure MHC’s customer base.Presenter: Kris Looney, MBA (President, Pure MHC, LLC, Austin, TX, USA)As President of Emergent Technologies, the manager of Pure MHC, Kris Looney is responsible for conceiving and executing key business initiatives, developing strategic plans, and managing business processes including accounting, marketing, intellectual property, and business development. Kris has more than two decades of experience as a business generalist with a background in start-ups, management, accounting, marketing, negotiation, and sales.Before joining Emergent, Kris served as the COO and Interim CEO of the American Red Cross of Central Texas, where he balanced multiple stakeholder needs with service responsibilities in a competitive philanthropic environment. Prior to that, he was the CFO of Transformation Enzyme Corporation, where his financial management and business development helped a bootstrapped entrepreneurial start-up become a leader in the nutritional supplement market. Kris has a B.A. in marketing and an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin.Presenter: Matt Willetts, Ph.D. (Proteomics Applications Manager, Bruker Scientific LLC, Billerica, MA, USA)Matt received his Ph.D. in mass spectrometry with Prof. Malcolm Clench at Sheffield Hallam University in the UK. He then joined Waters as the Technical Marketing Specialist for LCMS and MALDI products, focusing on application development for proteomics-based workflows. Matt joined Bruker in 2010 and is responsible for proteomics applications and support in North America.</blockquote>&nbsp;</div></div></div>

Bruker: Pure MHC's immunopeptidomics workflow with the timsTOF Ultra

Pure MHC's immunopeptidomics workflow with the timsTOF Ultra

Tissue sample processing, data acquisition with a Bruker timsTOF Ultra, and data analysis for immunopeptidomic development.

LCMS webinars focusing on Sample prep - page 14