If you have been following my <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://concentratingonchromatography.com/">Concentrating on Chromatography podcast</a>, you know that I am constantly searching for the cutting edge of separation science. After years of interviewing the brightest minds in the field, it has become clear to me that the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/companies/218">Multidimensional Chromatography Workshop (MDCW)</a> is undeniably the best up-and-coming event in our industry.While I was unfortunately traveling in Asia during the most recent session, I was able to catch every detail thanks to the incredible work of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/companies/1">LabRulez</a>. A huge thank you to Ivo Novotný and the LabRulez team for providing <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg-M6fM-05MrGrDggkl_UKzzcHPWPmssh">Open Access video presentations</a> of the event. Their <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/">portal </a>is an invaluable resource for anyone who needs to find technical information quickly and efficiently.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Organomation_MDCW_The_Premier_Up_and_Coming_Event_in_Chromatography_2_65b378bf01.jpg" alt="Organomation: MDCW: The Premier Up-and-Coming Event in Chromatography" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Organomation_MDCW_The_Premier_Up_and_Coming_Event_in_Chromatography_2_65b378bf01.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1044" height="455"><h3>The Minds Behind the Magic</h3>I have had the privilege of featuring the core organizers of MDCW on my podcast, including <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/articles?search=Katelynn+Perrault+Uptmor">Katelynn Perrault Uptmor</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/articles?search=Dwight+Stoll">Dwight Stoll</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/articles?search=Petr+Vozka">Petr Vozka</a>. Their dedication to creating a space where forensic chemistry, environmental analysis, and metabolomics intersect is what makes this workshop so unique. The event is a perfect showcase for how multidimensional techniques—like GC×GC and 2D-LC—are essential for tackling the world's most complex samples.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Organomation_MDCW_The_Premier_Up_and_Coming_Event_in_Chromatography_265c9ec21e.jpg" alt="Organomation: MDCW: The Premier Up-and-Coming Event in Chromatography" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Organomation_MDCW_The_Premier_Up_and_Coming_Event_in_Chromatography_265c9ec21e.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="792" height="230"><h3>Where Sample Prep Meets High-Resolution Analysis</h3>As we often discuss at Organomation, even the most advanced chromatographic systems depend on meticulous sample preparation. Two presentations highlighted in the LabRulez playlist perfectly illustrate the critical role of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.organomation.com/what-is-solvent-evaporation">solvent evaporation</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.organomation.com/what-is-sample-concentration">sample concentration</a>.<h3>Chemical Fingerprints: Emma Macturk’s Quest for Hidden Data</h3><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W5197sp6IY">Emma Macturk</a>, working in Dr. Katelynn Perrault Uptmor’s lab, is redefining how we look at one of the oldest forms of forensic evidence: the fingerprint. While traditional forensics relies on the physical patterns of ridges and whorls, these are often incomplete or smudged in real-world scenarios. Emma’s research shifts the focus to the chemical residue left behind, which can provide vital "class characteristics" like the biological sex and relative age of a suspect.Her optimized workflow is a masterclass in handling complex biological matrices. Using a cotton swab to extract residue from surfaces, the samples are centrifuged and then "<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/article/5392">blown down</a>" (a critical concentration step for any trace analysis) before <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.organomation.com/what-is-reconstitution">being reconstituted for GC×GC-TOFMS</a>.What makes her work truly fascinating—and highly relevant for our readers at Organomation—is the discovery of anthropogenic compounds. Emma identified UVB blockers like octocrylene and various moisturizers hidden within the natural sterols and fatty acids of the skin. The power of multidimensional chromatography allows forensic scientists to resolve these external "lifestyle" markers from endogenous skin compounds, potentially providing a much more detailed profile of a suspect than a physical print ever could.<h3>The "Green" Revolution: Grace Saunders and the Future of Ballistics</h3><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClD4fjZMNtA">Grace Saunders</a> addressed a looming crisis in forensic ballistics: the shift toward "green ammunition." For decades, the gold standard for detecting gunshot residue (GSR) has been SEM-EDS, which looks for heavy metals like lead, barium, and antimony. However, modern environmental and health standards are leading manufacturers to omit these metals. This means that traditional standards are failing to identify GSR in cases involving green rounds.Grace’s research proposes a dual-pronged approach, using GC×GC to target Organic Gunshot Residue (OGSR). Her liquid extraction protocol is meticulous: samples are extracted in methanol, "<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.organomation.com/what-is-evaporation-to-dryness">evaporated to dryness under nitrogen</a>," and then reconstituted. This ensures that volatile and semi-volatile nitroaromatic compounds, such as nitroglycerin and diphenylamine, are concentrated enough for detection.By optimizing parameters like the modulation period (2.5 seconds) and switching to hydrogen carrier gas, Grace was able to resolve these critical markers from the complex background "noise" of human skin. Her work isn't just about better chemistry; it’s about legal survival. As she noted, forensic methods must meet Federal Rule 702 for admissibility in court. Without the organic profiling Grace is developing, evidence from a "green" firearm discharge might never make it past a judge.<h3>The Future of Chromatography</h3>The workshop also featured brilliant presenters like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJm_JwHbArE">Ryland Giebelhaus</a>, whose work on the metabolomics of cannabis exposure during pregnancy shows the real-world impact of these technologies.The MDCW isn't just another conference; it is a community-driven powerhouse that bridges the gap between proof-of-concept and field-ready applications. Whether you are looking for advanced data reduction strategies or the latest in high-resolution mass spectrometry, this is the event to watch.<blockquote>If you missed it this year like I did, I highly recommend visiting the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?search=MDCW">LabRulez portal</a> to see the full breadth of research presented!</blockquote>

MDCW: The Premier Up-and-Coming Event in Chromatography

🎤Alex BrodyIn this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, we sit down with Alex Brody, an organic chemist at Aqua America, to discuss the rigorous analytical methods required for regulated drinking water testing.Alex walks us through the multi-step PFAS detection process using EPA Method 537.1, including extraction, nitrogen blowdown concentration, and LC-MS analysis. He explains why sample preparation and quality control are critical for achieving trace-level detection—and why these methods can't be rushed or simplified, even with new technologies available.We also explore taste and odor investigations, disinfection byproducts, and volatile organic compounds, plus the surprising reality of why regulated labs move slowly when adopting new instrumentation. You'll learn about the quality control checkpoints, peer review processes, and the misconceptions surrounding analytical turnaround times in compliance labs.<h5>Topics Covered:</h5><ul><li>Role of organic chemistry in regulated drinking water labs</li><li>EPA compliance requirements and regulatory bodies (EPA, PA-DEP)</li><li>PFAS detection using Method 537.1 and LC-MS</li><li>The critical importance of nitrogen blowdown sample concentration</li><li>Taste and odor analysis: MIB, Geosmin, and unknown compound identification</li><li>Why regulated methods evolve slowly (validation timelines, approval processes)</li><li>Quality control procedures: calibration checks, matrix spikes, surrogate standards, internal standards</li><li>Automated sample preparation and lab efficiency</li><li>Future PFAS regulations and Method 533 expansion</li></ul><h5>Ideal For:</h5><ul><li>Analytical chemists and environmental lab professionals</li><li>Water utilities and compliance officers</li><li>Chromatography practitioners interested in regulated workflows</li><li>Anyone curious about how drinking water safety is ensured</li></ul><h2>Video Transcription</h2><h3>Ensuring Safe Drinking Water Through Advanced Analytical Chemistry</h3><h4>Insights from a Regulated Water Testing Laboratory</h4>Analytical laboratories responsible for regulated drinking water testing operate under strict compliance frameworks to ensure the delivery of safe and reliable water supplies. In this interview, Alex, an organic chemist at Aqua America, outlines the scope of analytical work conducted in a modern water quality laboratory. The team primarily focuses on the determination of taste- and odor-causing compounds, disinfection byproducts, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These analyses rely heavily on GC-MS and LC-MS instrumentation, supported by rigorous maintenance programs to ensure continuous operational performance and data reliability.<h4>Regulatory Compliance and Quality Control in Drinking Water Analysis</h4>Operating as a regulated drinking water laboratory requires adherence to stringent requirements established by agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state-level regulatory bodies. Compliance is driven by extensive quality control protocols integrated into every analytical batch. Typical workflows include calibration verification, matrix spike recovery assessments, internal standard monitoring, and surrogate performance checks. Notably, analytical batches are often limited in sample number to accommodate a substantial proportion of quality control samples, reflecting the critical importance of data defensibility in regulatory reporting.One common misconception is the perceived speed at which results can be delivered. In reality, comprehensive sample preparation, including extraction procedures and validation steps, can extend turnaround times to a full working day or longer. Additionally, validated regulatory workflows impose limitations on the rapid adoption of new analytical technologies, as method modifications must undergo formal evaluation and approval before implementation.<h4>Analytical Strategies for Taste and Odor Investigations</h4>Taste and odor events represent a significant operational challenge for water utilities. Standard targeted methods are routinely applied for compounds such as 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) and geosmin, which are commonly associated with earthy or musty sensory characteristics. When targeted analysis does not reveal the source, laboratories employ broad-scan GC-MS screening combined with spectral library interpretation to identify potential causative compounds. In some cases, sensory evaluation panels complement instrumental analysis, providing preliminary insight into potential treatment-related or environmental influences affecting water quality.<h4>PFAS Monitoring: Methodological Complexity and Trace-Level Sensitivity</h4>PFAS determination represents a rapidly evolving priority in drinking water monitoring. The laboratory currently applies EPA Method 537.1, with efforts underway to expand capabilities through certification for Method 533, thereby broadening analyte coverage. Analytical workflows typically involve solid-phase extraction followed by solvent evaporation using nitrogen-assisted blow-down techniques to achieve the trace-level sensitivity required for regulatory compliance. This concentration step is essential because PFAS compounds remain non-volatile under controlled evaporation conditions, enabling enhanced detection performance upon reconstitution and LC-MS analysis.<h4>Future Directions in Drinking Water Analytics</h4>Looking ahead, the primary technological driver in regulated water analysis is the demand for increasingly lower detection limits and expanded compound coverage. While regulatory frameworks can slow methodological innovation, laboratories continue to pursue efficiency improvements, such as automated sample preparation systems and optimized analytical workflows. These advances support the growing need to process high sample volumes while maintaining the stringent data quality standards required for public health protection.Ultimately, the work performed in regulated drinking water laboratories represents a critical intersection of analytical chemistry, environmental monitoring, and public safety. Continuous methodological refinement, coupled with advances in mass spectrometry and sample preparation technologies, will play a central role in addressing emerging contaminants and ensuring long-term water quality assurance.<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>

Regulated Drinking Water Testing: PFAS Detection, Sample Prep & Real Lab Insights

Anna Vanluchene&nbsp;from UCT Prague’s&nbsp;Department of Chemical Engineering has received a&nbsp;prestigious start-up grant from the Dagmar Procházková Fund. However, she did not receive funding right away. In this interview, she describes how she developed ten versions of her&nbsp;Illuminating Flow&nbsp;project idea (combining photocatalysis with flow reactors for pharmaceutical synthesis). She explains why she considers perseverance to be crucial when applying for grants, how international experience has influenced her approach to team management, and how her research can reduce the chemical industry’s&nbsp;dependence on fossil fuels and imports from China.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/VSCHT_Praha_Na_startovaci_grant_jsem_cekala_dva_roky_a_napsala_deset_verzi_projektu_2_5b7d63b8e9.jpg" alt="VŠCHT Prague/Tomáš Balický: I waited two years for a start-up grant and wrote ten versions of my project idea" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_VSCHT_Praha_Na_startovaci_grant_jsem_cekala_dva_roky_a_napsala_deset_verzi_projektu_2_5b7d63b8e9.jpg 127w," sizes="100vw" width="1128" height="1387"><h5>What did the Dagmar Procházková Fund grant mean to you?</h5>I&nbsp;consider it to be a&nbsp;great success. It is the first injection of funding that will allow me to ensure full independence for my research endeavour, to start my own research group, and to fund students so I&nbsp;can get started properly.<h5>What have been your previous experiences with grants?</h5>During my doctorate, a cotutelle (international doctorate under dual supervision), I&nbsp;was funded by a&nbsp;grant from the French government. Then I&nbsp;worked at the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (CAS) and received a&nbsp;Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship to go abroad. The idea for my now-funded project was developed about two years ago and, since then, I&nbsp;have gradually developed and adapted the idea for various grant calls. I&nbsp;submitted about ten different versions of the proposal. I&nbsp;did not receive a&nbsp;grant from the Dagmar Procházková Fund last year, but this year, my application was successful.<h5>This probably requires a&nbsp;great deal of patience and perseverance.</h5>Certainly, because the success rates for most grants have been declining for some time. But as a&nbsp;motivational example, I&nbsp;will tell the story of Timothy Noel, a&nbsp;Belgian professor of chemistry living in the Netherlands. He applied for the prestigious European Research Council (ERC) grant, which is among the most sought-after in Europe, seven times. But no failure deterred him and eventually he succeeded and opened the door to potentially massive grant funding. He was already one of the world’s&nbsp;top scientists in the field at that time and openly described his journey on his blog <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.noelresearchgroup.com/2022/03/17/my-personal-story-to-obtain-an-erc-grant-7-submissions-4-interviews-and-6-heartbreaks/">blog</a>.<h5>What advice does this convey to other grant applicants and early career researchers?</h5>Start early, read a&nbsp;lot, don’t&nbsp;give up, and—most importantly—apply repeatedly. Learn from rejections and overcome possible frustration from failures. Read blogs and books by successful people, where you will find not only the glorious results of their work, but also the hardships they faced over their entire journeys. Of course, building your team and laboratory is impossible without finances. I&nbsp;myself still hope that I&nbsp;will be able to receive even bigger grants in the future.<h5>How has your international experience influenced your scientific approach?</h5>A&nbsp;lot and on several levels. Different laboratories teach you how to do&nbsp;things differently. You gain varied experience about how different institutions function. You see other people’s&nbsp;positive motivations, their ability to be ambitious without negativity, their involvement in institutional matters, their openness to cooperation with companies (e.g., tech transfers, spin-offs). The most important thing is to broaden your horizons. I&nbsp;see going abroad as a&nbsp;necessity. What I&nbsp;have taken away the most is drive, great support, and the idea that scientific output is not just about metrics, but also about dedication to one’s&nbsp;topic.<h5>What is your Illuminating Flow: Transport Phenomena in Photocatalysis about, in layperson’s&nbsp;terms, and how is it unique?</h5>Most of today’s&nbsp;chemical industry is still based on thermal processes and fossil fuels. Photochemistry enables electrification, where the energy source is photons delivered by LEDs, which can generate electricity from renewable sources. Current research focuses mainly on chemical reactions and their mechanisms, but as a&nbsp;chemical engineer, I&nbsp;focus on designing processes and reactors suitable for industrial use. In batch reactors, light fades rapidly with distance from a&nbsp;source, so much of a&nbsp;reaction mixture is not illuminated. Flow reactors solve this problem, but they bring new challenges such as working with solid catalysts and subsequently scaling up production and achieving higher production rates of the desired chemicals at a&nbsp;given scale.One can imagine a&nbsp;transparent tube with a&nbsp;catalyst on the walls, upon which light shines and through which reactants flow. This project has a&nbsp;unique emphasis on engineering solutions and overall process efficiency.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/VSCHT_Praha_Na_startovaci_grant_jsem_cekala_dva_roky_a_napsala_deset_verzi_projektu_3_b978abf25c.jpg" alt="VŠCHT Prague/Tomáš Balický: I waited two years for a start-up grant and wrote ten versions of my project idea" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_VSCHT_Praha_Na_startovaci_grant_jsem_cekala_dva_roky_a_napsala_deset_verzi_projektu_3_b978abf25c.jpg 241w," sizes="100vw" width="1228" height="799"><h5>So, were you inspired by a&nbsp;gap in the market to connect photocatalysis with transport phenomena?</h5>Exactly. I&nbsp;combine my areas of expertise: microfluidics, photocatalytic degradation of organic substances (CAS), and synthesis (MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship). The idea itself is not new, and pharmaceutical companies are very interested in “greener” photochemistry, but in practice, there is often a&nbsp;lack of appropriate engineering solutions and apparatus for industrial use.<h5>What are the practical applications of your work and what substances are you focusing on?</h5>Mainly on pharmaceuticals and on the synthesis of so-called fine chemicals, which are often the building blocks for the production of pharmaceuticals. There is also a&nbsp;geopolitical dimension to this, i.e. less dependence on imports from China and sustainable synthesis in Europe where it makes economic sense.<h5>And what chemicals are you specifically talking about?</h5>For example, building blocks for advanced synthesis, compounds prepared by trifluoromethylation reactions, or products of oxidation reactions with singlet oxygen. At the same time, we focus on reactions that are, in the classical design process, less safe or technologically demanding, where new approaches, such as photochemistry in flow reactors, could be safer and have better process control. Of course, this is not a&nbsp;universal solution for all types of reactions.<h5>The goal of this project?</h5>I&nbsp;plan to start a&nbsp;fully functional laboratory and research team, create high-quality experimental data on selected molecules and based on them, try to build cooperation with industrial partners. Without data, it is impossible to come to companies with just an idea. Within three years, I&nbsp;would like to have results that can be realistically presented and further developed.<h5>What are the main challenges in transport phenomena during photocatalysis?</h5>The methodology for repeatability of experiments in photochemistry is relatively demanding and there are unforeseen obstacles in building apparatus. Also, the scale-up from microliters to a&nbsp;larger scale.<h5>What methodology will you use, and how big are the microreactors and their flow rates?</h5>I&nbsp;have two different directions in methodological design. The first direction involves microreactors the size of a&nbsp;laboratory slide. You make a&nbsp;structure using a&nbsp;laser, and then you have to cast it and make a&nbsp;microreactor. This allows you to quickly adjust the geometry of the reactor. This method is, of course, not applicable in the commercial setting, but it is ideal for studying transport phenomena and precise measurements.The second direction involves reactors that are flow cells. These are already larger, approximately 15 x 15 centimetres, and their flow rates are in the order of millilitres per hour. This is the initial scale that we will further increase during the project.<h5>There is a&nbsp;big difference between a&nbsp;flow rate of microlitres per hour and industrial needs. Will it not work differently in reality?</h5>Our research will focus on studying the phenomena themselves for now, and scaling will be addressed later. In addition, we will combine the experimental data obtained with computer simulations that will help design suitable conditions for a&nbsp;larger scale. For some high-value fine chemicals, these scales, combined with continuous operation or parallelization of reactors, may already be practically usable.<h5>What catalysts will you use and how will you attach them to the reactor walls?</h5>I&nbsp;am focusing on heterogeneous photocatalysis, and we will mainly use graphitic carbon nitride and its more advanced modifications. These are semiconductor materials that can be synthesized relatively easily and are suitable for immobilization on glass reactor walls. A&nbsp;key part of this project is the creation of a&nbsp;stable catalytic layer for long-term flow-through operations. To increase the contact of reactants with the catalyst, we will also consider multiphase modes, for example, gas bubbling, in order to disrupt the otherwise laminar flow.<h5>Why did you choose this field and the Department of Chemical Engineering?</h5>During my postdoc in Belgium, the department had an opening for an Assistant Professor position that caught my attention and I&nbsp;applied for it. I&nbsp;did my undergraduate, graduate, and initial doctoral studies here, and I&nbsp;love the department. I&nbsp;have a&nbsp;Bachelor’s&nbsp;degree in Chemistry.<h5>Are you collaborating with anyone?</h5>We collaborate with BUT Brno focusing on creating layers and immobilizing catalysts on glass, as well as with the Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. And as for organic synthesis, we are connected with Ghent University via postdoc internships. At the same time, my colleague Viola Tokárová and I&nbsp;received a&nbsp;Czech Science Foundation grant in cooperation with BUT Brno and Masaryk University, with our part of the project focusing on the use of flow reactors for photochemical reactions and testing the antibacterial properties of photocatalytic materials. And I&nbsp;am writing other grant proposals in which I&nbsp;am trying to build new collaborations.<h5>What does the creation of an independent research group at UCT Prague look like?</h5>I&nbsp;started by renovating the premises that were assigned to me and gradually building my team. It is important for research work to have Ph.D. students; I&nbsp;have already hired one and we will recruit more. In addition to building the group, I&nbsp;will engage in securing further funding for the group, so I&nbsp;will be writing more grant proposals. It is important to think far enough in advance when it comes to prospective funding for a&nbsp;research group.<h5>What type of students are you looking for?</h5>The laboratory and team I&nbsp;are building will be very multidisciplinary, just like the area I&nbsp;am working on. That is why I&nbsp;am looking for students who are attracted to true multidisciplinary research, those who, for example, have knowledge of engineering, but who don’t&nbsp;mind a&nbsp;little bit of pure chemistry. One student in their own right does not have to (and cannot) know every subject, so I&nbsp;will ideally have a&nbsp;team consisting of different people with different research backgrounds. Motivated, DIY-type students who would rather enthusiastically build or invent something themselves than conduct repetitive measurements. Organic or analytical chemists will also find their place here. If this topic is interesting to students in any way, they can definitely contact me. I&nbsp;am also open to interdepartmental cooperation with other UCT Prague Faculties.<h5>How would you describe your path to photocatalysis/chemical engineering?</h5>Studying Chemistry as an undergrad gave me a&nbsp;broad perspective, but I&nbsp;was gradually narrowing my focus and eventually chose engineering. Chemical engineering intrigued me with its logic and was the easiest for me to grasp at the time. But I&nbsp;have always enjoyed working on projects more than the studies themselves. Even during my Bachelor studies, I&nbsp;really enjoyed and was interested in the Professor Štěpánek Group’s&nbsp;projects, where I&nbsp;was doing something completely different than I&nbsp;do&nbsp;now. I&nbsp;only got into photochemistry during my time at CAS and then, during my postdoctoral fellowship, I&nbsp;devoted myself to electrochemistry. My current focus is, thus, a&nbsp;natural interlinking of all these areas. Consequentially, I&nbsp;developed an awareness of the necessity to become independent and return to the department with my own, different research agenda, which, in my opinion, is an important and correct basis for establishing my own research group.<h5>What is the biggest challenge of this project for you?</h5>The transition from being a&nbsp;postdoc to a&nbsp;leadership position is a&nbsp;big change for me and I&nbsp;think it is not talked about enough. It means a&nbsp;shift from my own experimental work to leading a&nbsp;team, planning and delegating tasks, and motivating students. From a&nbsp;practical point of view, one of the main challenges is the transfer of reactions from the microscale to functional systems, the construction of reactors, the immobilization of catalysts, and generally confirming that this direction makes sense in the long term and that it has future potential.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/VSCHT_Praha_Na_startovaci_grant_jsem_cekala_dva_roky_a_napsala_deset_verzi_projektu_1_66ac267e06.jpg" alt="VŠCHT Prague/Tomáš Balický: I waited two years for a start-up grant and wrote ten versions of my project idea" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_VSCHT_Praha_Na_startovaci_grant_jsem_cekala_dva_roky_a_napsala_deset_verzi_projektu_1_66ac267e06.jpg 155w," sizes="100vw" width="830" height="839">

I waited two years for a start-up grant and wrote ten versions of my project idea

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

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Waters Corporation

<h3>Solving Problems That Matter - a Waters webinar series featuring USP speakers</h3><h4>Episode 8: Lipid nanoparticles</h4><div class="summary-section section">Developing safe, compliant and efficacious lipid nanoparticles (LNP) requires adequate testing of the individual lipid components and impurities. In this webinar Anni Chang from the USP Excipient team will share current and future excipient solution approaches and describe how the USP provides support for stakeholders in discovery and early-stage development. Then Duanduan Han will discuss the benefits of mass detection for critical impurities analysis, and Empower software workflows for compliant and straightforward method migration from development to QC labs. Duanduan will also highlight how multi-angle light scattering (MALS) detection can be used to characterize the LNP.<h5>Key learning objectives</h5><ul><li>Explore current and future USP solutions for lipid nanoparticles (LNP)</li><li>Learn how mass detection and Empower software-based workflows expedite and enhance routine testing of LNP components and impurities</li><li>Discover orthogonal insights enabled by multi-angle light scattering detection (MALS)</li></ul><h5>Who should attend</h5>Scientists involved with lipid nanoparticle analysis<blockquote>Presenter: Anni Chang, Ph.D. (Sr Scientist II, Excipients Unit, US Pharmacopeia)Dr. Anni Chang is currently a Senior Scientist II in the Excipients unit at the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). In her current role, she is responsible for developing, revising, and modernizing USP monographs. One of her focus areas is lipid excipients used in nanomaterial carriers.Dr. Chang has more than 15 years of experience in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry in analytical method development, validation, and transfer. She received her Ph.D. in Chemistry from University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA. Dr. Chang is also active in the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists and serves as a Member Engagement Manager in the Lipid Based Drug Delivery community.Presenter: Duanduan Han, Ph.D. (Senior Scientist QA/QC Biologics Solutions group, Waters Corporation)Duanduan is a Senior Scientist in the QA/QC Biologics Solutions group at Waters Corporation headquarters in Milford, MA. She joined Waters in 2021, and she has focused on LC method development in composition analysis, impurity profiling, and raw material screening of lipid nanoparticle components and products. Additionally, she has explored other subjects of pharmaceutical analysis including surfactant, protein, and peptide. Prior to joining Waters, she received her PhD in chemical engineering from Texas A&amp;M University.Presenter: Panelist: Martin Kurnik, Ph.D. (Senior Scientist, Analytical Sciences, Waters | Wyatt Technology​)Martin Kurnik is a senior scientist in the Analytical Sciences team at Waters | Wyatt Technology. He helps customers identify and develop the best solutions for their analytical needs by leveraging his expertise in multi-angle light scattering and dynamic light scattering as well as a wide range of other leading techniques for biomolecular characterization. His postdoctoral research in protein folding and misfolding biophysics focused on understanding and preventing misfolding in bulk solution and on artificial surfaces used in medicine and biotechnology, and he has also developed protein- and aptamer-based electrochemical biosensors for continuous real-time measurements in vitro and in vivo. Martin received his M.Sc. in Chemistry and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Stockholm University, Sweden.Moderated by: 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></div>

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

Lipid nanoparticles

Solving Problems That Matter - a Waters webinar series featuring USP speakers. Episode 8: Complex excipients: Lipid nanoparticles.

Complex excipients: Lipid nanoparticles

Learn how Light Scattering can benefit your drug development!
The scientific community aims to enhance transparency and reliability in published research, with a specific focus on the quality of biological reagents, notably recombinant proteins. Concerns have been raised regarding irreproducible results, prompting discussions on common quality issues associated with recombinant proteins and their impact on downstream applications. In response, professionals in protein purification and characterization have collaboratively developed guidelines for improved quality control.
These guidelines include minimal information requirements for protein identity, production parameters, and long-term stability, as well as a minimal set of quality tests for purity, homogeneity, and identity. Additional recommendations cover DNA contamination, “spectral and thermal denaturation signatures”, homogeneity, “competent fraction”, storage conditions, batch-to-batch reproducibility, and other factors based on intended applications. 
Evaluation of these guidelines over a one-year period suggests that their implementation can enhance experimental reliability and optimize protein quality. Investing in protein QC benefits all stakeholders in life sciences, including researchers, editors, and funding agencies, by improving data accuracy and minimizing resource wastage
Key learning topics:
<ul>
<li>The latest guidelines for Quality control of Protein purification and characterisation 
</li>
<li>How these guidelines can enhance reliability and improve protein quality in your labs
</li>
<li>How to reduce wastage and improve data accuracy in protein quality control
</li>
</ul>
Who should attend?
<ul>
<li>Lab Managers and Scientists working in upstream recombinant protein production and QC
</li>
<li>Lab Managers and Scientists working in downstream protein purification QC
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr. André Matagne (Full Professor, University of Liège, Belgium)
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<blockquote>
Dr. Matange is a Full Professor at the University of Liège, Belgium, where he is the chair at the Centre for Protein Engineering within the Faculty of Sciences.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
With a background in biochemistry, his research is primarily focused on proteins, particularly exploring their folding, stability, and biological activity. Notably, he has played a pivotal role in the development of Robotein®, an advanced technological platform designed for to high throughput protein expression, purification, formulation, and analysis.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Since 2016, Dr.Matagnehas been honored as an elected titular member of the Royal Academy of Sciences in Belgium.
</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: Quality Control of Purified Proteins to Improve Research Data Reproducibility: Improving the Time-Efficiency and Quality of Your Results​

Quality Control of Purified Proteins to Improve Research Data Reproducibility: Improving the Time-Efficiency and Quality of Your Results​

Learn how Light Scattering can benefit your drug development.

Quality Control of Purified Proteins to Improve Research

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

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

A Tandem LC Workflow for Maximizing Mass Spectrometer Utilization in Proteomics

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

A Tandem LC Workflow for Maximizing Mass Spectrometer

Join us for an exclusive two-day event where Agilent will showcase cutting-edge biopharma solutions.
The first day of the event we will explore Agilent’s comprehensive portfolio for the spectrum of applications from drug discovery to quality control. Learn more about our cell analysis and genomics expertise and the tools we provide to drive IVT mRNA development, protein therapeutics and cell and gene therapies
The second day will focus on advanced analytical solutions, including HRMS for tRNA sequencing and LC/MS for DNA/RNA analysis. Learn how to scale up oligonucleotide purification with Agilent biocolumns, which enhance the efficiency and accuracy of your processes.
By attending this event you will:
<ul>
<li>Gain insights from Agilent to optimize biotherapeutic workflows, including rigorous quality testing in cGMP environments and handling nucleic acid, vaccines, mAB and protein samples.
</li>
<li>Understand how metabolic analyses can impact CAR cell function and behavior, using cytolytic cell killing assays on the xCELLigence system to develop cell therapy processes and confirm product potency.
</li>
<li>Learn about new techniques in high-resolution LC/MS for analyzing tRNA modifications.
</li>
<li>Discover software tools available for high-resolution MS systems in both research and QA/QC labs.
</li>
<li>Compare analytical and semipreparative LC purification methods for synthetic oligonucleotides, gaining competitive insights into purification strategies.
</li>
</ul>
<h5>Talk 1: Agilent Tools and Technologies to Drive Advancements in Biopharmaceutical Drug Development</h5>
<ul>
<li>Presented by Dr. Hervé Chaulet, Molecular and Biological Research Market Specialist, Agilent Technologies</li>
</ul>
Discovering, developing, and manufacturing biopharmaceuticals requires you to stay abreast of advances in knowledge and improvements in technology while constantly navigating a maze of business and scientific challenges. Agilent can be a trusted partner providing expertise and end-to-end workflows including systems, software, consumables, and services for the spectrum of applications from drug discovery to quality control. Learn more about our cell analysis and genomics expertise and the tools we provide to drive IVT mRNA development, protein therapeutics, and cell and gene therapies.
<h5>Talk 2: Quality Control In IVT mRNA Therapeutics and Vaccine Development Workflow Using The Agilent Fragment Analyzer System</h5>
<ul>
<li>Presented by Dr. Leslie Friedmann, Product Manager, Agilent Technologies</li>
</ul>
Reliable and robust analysis is essential throughout in vitro transcription (IVT) mRNA workflows, providing important quality information to help minimize risk and aid in the production of a consistent product. The Agilent Fragment Analyzer systems can be used for several QC steps at different checkpoints in mRNA vaccine development, providing accurate and precise sizing and integrity analysis. These QC steps are to determine the quality and size of the linearized plasmid, the size and purity of the IVT mRNA, length of the poly(A) tail, and purity of the final mRNA vaccine product.
<h5>Talk 3: Analysis of NIST mAb Reference Material by Parallel SDS-Capillary Electrophoresis</h5>
<ul>
<li>Presented by Dr. Kyle Luttgeharm, Product Manager, Agilent Technologies</li>
</ul>
Monoclonal antibody drug products are complex biomolecules that must be tested for critical quality attributes (CQAs) such as monomeric purity and percent glycosylation. Capillary gel electrophoresis methods have been adopted as the standard method for size heterogeneity characterization, however legacy capillary electrophoresis (CE) methods involve complicated workflows or are cost prohibitive. To address these problems with legacy methods, Agilent has developed a 12-channel, parallel capillary electrophoresis-SDS (CE-SDS) instrument and reagents. The system uses a high-resolution sieving gel, allowing for resolution of mAb species including the non-glycosylated heavy chain and light chain. To demonstrate the capabilities of the ProteoAnalyzer, the NIST mAb was characterized under both reduced and non-reduced conditions and compared to the NIST data sheet.
<h5>Talk 4: Advanced Analytics for Cell Therapy Research, Process Development, and Manufacturing</h5>
<ul>
<li>Presented by Dr. Kelly Kroeger, Science &amp; Technology Advisor, Agilent Technologies</li>
</ul>
With immunology and immune-based therapies rising as a pillar of science and therapeutics, we are seeing a foundational shift from targeting specific proteins and pathways to actually targeting the immune cellular network that resolves and prevents disease. Therefore there is a critical need for cell analysis tools to facilitate understanding of the dynamic nature of the interaction of these cellular networks whether it is in the context of immune cells or immune cells with cancer cells.
To address these new challenges, we at Agilent Technologies have developed a portfolio of cell analysis solutions that provide researchers with more relevant tools to measure living cells, dynamically track them, and model their microenvironments. These next-generation therapies require methods and technologies to enable assessment of real-time cell function, phenotype, and fate. Used together, the Agilent tool bench provides the capability to measure and develop immune cell function more effectively, thus enabling translational researchers and developers to achieve the necessary level of potential therapeutic potency and safety.

Technology Networks: Biopharma Innovations Summit

Biopharma Innovations Summit Day 1

Learn more about our cell analysis and genomics expertise and the tools we provide to drive IVT mRNA development.

Join us for an exclusive two-day event where Agilent will showcase cutting-edge biopharma solutions.
The first day of the event we will explore Agilent’s comprehensive portfolio for the spectrum of applications from drug discovery to quality control. Learn more about our cell analysis and genomics expertise and the tools we provide to drive IVT mRNA development, protein therapeutics and cell and gene therapies
The second day will focus on advanced analytical solutions, including HRMS for tRNA sequencing and LC/MS for DNA/RNA analysis. Learn how to scale up oligonucleotide purification with Agilent biocolumns, which enhance the efficiency and accuracy of your processes.
By attending this event you will:
<ul>
<li>Gain insights from Agilent to optimize biotherapeutic workflows, including rigorous quality testing in cGMP environments and handling nucleic acid, vaccines, mAB and protein samples.
</li>
<li>Understand how metabolic analyses can impact CAR cell function and behavior, using cytolytic cell killing assays on the xCELLigence system to develop cell therapy processes and confirm product potency.
</li>
<li>Learn about new techniques in high-resolution LC/MS for analyzing tRNA modifications.
</li>
<li>Discover software tools available for high-resolution MS systems in both research and QA/QC labs.
</li>
<li>Compare analytical and semipreparative LC purification methods for synthetic oligonucleotides, gaining competitive insights into purification strategies.
</li>
</ul>
<h5>Talk 1: Advanced Analytical Solutions for Nucleic Acid Analysis and Purification</h5>
<ul>
<li>Presented by Dr. Charlotte Lekieffre, Biopharma Application Specialist, Agilent Technologies</li>
</ul>
The emphasis during the second day of the Summit will be on advanced analytical solutions, such as HRMS for tRNA sequencing and LC/MS for DNA/RNA analysis. Additionally, you’ll discover techniques to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of your processes by scaling up oligonucleotide purification using Agilent biocolumns. 
<h5>Talk 2: Extracted Yeast tRNA Sequencing by LC-MS/MS</h5>
<ul>
<li>Presented by Aurore Attina, Engineer of Mass Spectrometry, University of Montpellier</li>
</ul>
RNA modifications are essential for RNA stability, maturation, and functionality; directly influencing protein translation and gene regulation. They play a central role in various biological processes and are associated with many diseases, including cancers and neurological disorders. tRNA (transfer RNA), which plays a key role in protein synthesis, is the most modified molecule in the organism known to date. tRNA modifications are essential to ensure their correct function in protein translation, maintain the accuracy and fidelity of the genetic code, and enable flexible adaptation to changing cellular conditions and are therefore a crucial attribute to monitor. To monitor and map these modifications of tRNA, we have developed a LC-HRMS analytical workflow, first using synthetic oligonucleotide for the method optimization. In this webinar, we will first go through the various steps involved in LC-MS/MS method optimization using synthetic oligonucleotides. In a second part, we will present the protocol development of an enzymatic digestion applied to tRNA extracted from yeast. This digestion generates oligonucleotide fragments that can be analyzed by LC-MS/MS for sequence confirmation.
<h5>Talk 3: Discover Agilent’s Software Tools to Confirm Oligonucleotide Sequence Integrity</h5>
<ul>
<li>Presented by Dr. Holger Stalz, LC/MS Product Specialist Austria &amp; Switzerland, Agilent Technologies</li>
</ul>
Mass spectrometry (MS) is increasingly important for the development of therapeutic modalities such as oligonucleotides. A common analytical method for large molecules is intact mass by LC/MS. This can be used for the characterization and identification of a product or process-related impurities, or simply as a confirmation of molecular weight. The newly introduced Agilent OpenLab CDS 2.8 SW version comes with a set of features to enable the automatization of biopharma workflows. If you want to know how LC/MSD Spectral Deconvolution of your biopharma samples can be automated, we will provide answers during our presentation. Even more details on Oligonucleotide sequence confirmation and impurities characterization can be acquired using the power of a high-resolution accurate mass system (HRAM) on the Agilent 6545XT AdvanceBio LC/Q-TOF. Analyzing the sample data with the software workflows in Agilent BioConfirm version 12 will support the user to get the trusted answers to their most relevant questions.
<h5>Talk 4 Maximize Your Resources and Simplify Scale-up with AdvanceBio Oligonucleotide Columns</h5>
<ul>
<li>Presented by Dr. Andrea Tripodi, Application Development Engineer, Agilent Technologies</li>
</ul>
Several classes of nucleic acids, such as antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and aptamers are being investigated for potential therapeutic applications. Synthetic oligonucleotides inevitably contain many impurities due to limitations in the efficiency of each chemical reaction used during manufacture. They include deletion sequences (missing one or more nucleotides) and reaction by-products often arising during the final deprotection or cleavage steps. Ion pair reversed-phase (IP-RP) chromatography stands out as the prevalent method for analyzing and purifying oligonucleotides. For increased resolution and separation of your full-length synthetic oligonucleotide from closely related impurities, AdvanceBio Oligonucleotide is the ideal choice. The latest developments include semi-preparative, and lab-scale preparative columns packed with superficially porous particles that provide excellent performance and resolution without compromising column loading. A fast and easy scale-up method from analytical to semi-preparative scale was successfully achieved using a 10 mm ID column enabling higher sample loading using the same analytical LC instrument.

Biopharma Innovations Summit Day 2

The allowable adjustments to compendial methods published in USP General Chapter 621 and Ph. Eur. 2.2.46 provide scope for analysts to migrate methods to smaller column dimensions, providing advantages in terms of time and cost savings.This webinar will provide insight into the considerations necessary when applying allowable adjustments to gradient monographs.<h4>Key Learning Points:</h4><ul><li>Learn about Allowable adjustments possible when working with gradient monograph methods</li><li>Understand system considerations in terms of dwell volume</li><li>Dig into calculations to perform in order to scale gradient conditions correctly</li></ul><h4>Who Should Attend:</h4><ul><li>Any analysts working with pharmacopeia methods or chromatographers who work with gradient methods&nbsp;</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: James Turner (Global Market Manager, Phenomenex)With more than 25 years of experience at Phenomenex, James has been responsible for providing specialist technical support to customers across Europe with method development assistance, troubleshooting advice and chromatographic solutions to various customer problems. James has also been involved with the technical training of many Phenomenex technical consultants, across the multiple techniques we serve.</blockquote>

Phenomenex: Working with Allowed Adjustments Pharmacopeia HPLC Methods – Gradient Considerations

Working with Allowed Adjustments Pharmacopeia HPLC Methods – Gradient Considerations

Insight into the considerations necessary when applying allowable adjustments to gradient monographs.

Working with Allowed Adjustments Pharmacopeia HPLC

This seminar will guide you through troubleshooting HPLC systems and chromatographic issues using a structured workflow.We will share a novel approach to emphasize the importance of system monitoring, as troubleshooting without monitoring is considerably more challenging. After introducing some key concepts and a troubleshooting workflow, we'll explore practical examples by applying the workflow to failed chromatograms to identify the cause of failure and then use a test cycle to confirm the fix.Who should attend: Analysts working in regulated environments (eg. GLP, GMP) or in non-regulated environments (eg. R&amp;D) who want to troubleshoot their HPLC systems and chromatographic problems effectively.<h4>Key Learnings:</h4>1. The importance of routine system monitoring2. Using qualification checks to diagnose a failure3. Understanding Failure Indicators (HOW the chromatogram failed) vs. Failure Causes (WHY the chromatogram failed)4. Using troubleshooting workflows to quickly identify the failure cause<blockquote>Presenter: Maureen DeLoffi (Senior Product Manager, Waters COrporation)Maureen DeLoffi is a Senior Product Manager at Waters Corporation, where she manages the small molecule portfolio of Analytical HPLC columns. Prior to her Product Manager role, she spent over 12 years as a scientist in the Column Technology Development Lab at Waters. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Hampshire.</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: HPLC Troubleshooting: A System Monitoring Approach

HPLC Troubleshooting: A System Monitoring Approach

Troubleshooting HPLC systems and chromatographic issues using a structured workflow.

<h4>The Waters 2024 Virtual Summer School - An Educational Journey to Master Food &amp; Environmental Analysis</h4>Unlock the full potential of LC-MS techniques with our immersive and educational sessions at the Waters Virtual F&amp;E Late Summer School 2024. From September 24th to 26th, engage with leading experts and discover cutting-edge methods for environmental and food analysis.<h5>Why attend?</h5><ul><li>Comprehensive Learning: Dive deep into advanced LC-MS techniques and gain practical knowledge to enhance your laboratory's analytical capabilities.</li><li>Expert Insights: Learn from industry leaders and gain firsthand experience through detailed modules on chromatography, mass spectrometry, and sample preparation.</li><li>Regulatory Compliance: Stay ahead with the latest insights on EU regulations for PFAS analysis in food and water, ensuring your lab meets stringent standards.</li></ul><h3>Episode #1: Chromatography - UPLC | F&amp;E Summer School - Day 1 - Module 1</h3>This section will provide an overview of the Waters reference material available to customer to help plan the best columns and chromatographic conditions for their LC-MS methods, using common environmental contaminants as an example. We highlight how to create LC-MS methods using the Acquisition Method Editor (AME) application within waters_connect™. Finally, this section will cover some of the most troubleshooting issues: contaminated blank peaks, poor peak shape, etc, and how to address them.<h5>What you'll learn:</h5><ul><li>Important factors for developing a UPLC method - considering analyte solubility, pKa and partitioning coefficient (Kow)</li><li>Selecting the most appropriate UPLC column for your analytes</li><li>Setting up LC-MS methods in the waters_connectTM console</li><li>Troubleshooting common contamination issues</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Nicole Baumgarten (Sr Sales Applications Chemist, Waters Corporation)Nicole is part of the Customer Success team at Waters with a focus on LC-MS/MS application and sales support. She works in this role for more than 9 years and gained experience in previous roles as analyst for biopharmaceuticals in process controls at Boehringer Ingelheim and research Assistent at Zentrum für Humangenetik und Laboratoriumsmedizin in Munich after finishing a Master of Chemical engineering at Hochschule Fresenius, Idstein.Presenter: Caroline Davis (Sr Sales Applications Chemist, Waters Corporation)</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: The Waters 2024 Virtual Summer School

Chromatography - UPLC

An overview of the Waters reference material available to customer to help plan the best columns and chromatographic conditions for their LC-MS methods.

Chromatography - UPLC 

<h4>The Waters 2024 Virtual Summer School - An Educational Journey to Master Food &amp; Environmental Analysis</h4>Unlock the full potential of LC-MS techniques with our immersive and educational sessions at the Waters Virtual F&amp;E Late Summer School 2024. From September 24th to 26th, engage with leading experts and discover cutting-edge methods for environmental and food analysis.<h5>Why attend?</h5><ul><li>Comprehensive Learning: Dive deep into advanced LC-MS techniques and gain practical knowledge to enhance your laboratory's analytical capabilities.</li><li>Expert Insights: Learn from industry leaders and gain firsthand experience through detailed modules on chromatography, mass spectrometry, and sample preparation.</li><li>Regulatory Compliance: Stay ahead with the latest insights on EU regulations for PFAS analysis in food and water, ensuring your lab meets stringent standards.</li></ul><h3>Episode #9: PFAS in Food | F&amp;E Summer School - Day 3 - Module 1</h3>The European Commision published for the first time maximum levels for the so-called “EU 4” PFAS (PFHxS, PFOS, PFOA and PFNA) in eggs, meat and fish with Regulation EU 2023/915. This was an expected result of EFSA’s letter of concern on those 4 PFAS and labs reacted accordingly. A more challenging task came with the EURL PFAS Guidance Document and a bit later with the Recommendation EU 2022/1431. The target LOQs for the EU 4 PFAS were set at 0.001 µg/kg in fruits, vegetables and babyfood. We will discuss the successful method implementation from sample preparation to final report and hear real-life experiences from our guest speaker Victoria Erdely (Eurofins GfA) and Katharina Rund (EURL PFAS).<h5>What you'll learn:</h5><ul><li>How to reach lowest levels of PFAS in food and work according to Recommendation EU 2022/1431 using Xevo TQ Absolute in combination with UniSpray ion source</li><li>How LC method development on Premier LC gives you the widest PFAS panel and separates interferences.</li><li>Tips &amp; tricks from the demo lab to avoid PFAS contamination, implement new analytes, speed up data processing, and keep best performance of your system</li><li>About a special PFAS training to help you implement the method in the lab.</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter:&nbsp;Dr. Sara Stead (Consulting Scientist, Food and Environmental, Scientific Operations, Waters Corporation)In her current position, Sara is a Principal Sales Application Chemist specializing in food and environmental LC-MS/MS based applications within the Waters UK and Ireland demo laboratory. Sara has worked in F&amp;E analysis with various research interests including the development of both multi-residue HRMS screening and targeted LC/GC MS based methods for the past 25 years in both the government and private sectors. ​Prior to joining Waters Sara was employed as a Lead Scientist at the Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA, Defra, UK) for 14 years. Sara has participated in EU Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) audit inspections, was an expert on behalf of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and a member of the EuroResidue conference scientific committee.Presenter:&nbsp;Dr. Stuart Adams (Principal Scientist, Market Development, Food and Environmental Applications, Europe, Waters Corporation)Stuart has been developing methods for the determination of contaminants in food and the environment for over 17 years and has been with Waters Corporation since 2018. Stuart's previous role was as a senior analytical chemist at Fera (the UK’s National Reference Laboratory) and moved to Waters to focus on application development in the European region. He now serves as the attached scientist to the European Market Development team responsible for the food and environmental application areas. In his role, he works with customers to understand their analytical challenges and helps address them with Waters technologies.Presenter:&nbsp;Victoria Erdely (Head of Department - Method and Instrument Support, Eurofins GfA)Presenter:&nbsp;Dr. Katharina Rund (Food Chemist, EU Reference Laboratory for halogenated POPs in Feed and Food)</blockquote>

PFAS in Food

We will discuss the successful method implementation from sample preparation to final report and hear real-life experiences.

<h4>Overview</h4>We invite you to our 2nd Annual Virtual Biosymposium. This year, we will explore novel analytical characterization and quantitation of emerging modalities, such as DNA and mRNA, along with key method development considerations with global thought leaders.We look forward to seeing you! Key Event Objectives:<ul><li>Learn about novel approaches to characterizing established and modern biotherapeutic modalities</li><li>Understand key considerations when developing characterizing and quantitating methods for biomolecules</li><li>Take a deep dive into the values of fit-for-purpose methods to make critical drug decisions</li></ul>AGENDA7:30am AM (PT) - Welcoming Introductions<ul><li>Tran N. Pham, Global Biopharma Market Development Manager at Phenomenex</li></ul>7:35 AM (PT) - "Solutions &amp; Characterization Strategies for IVT mRNA Therapy Development"<ul><li>Charles Bai, Lead Application Scientist, VectorBuilder, Chicago, USA</li></ul>8:05 AM (PT) - &nbsp;"Utilizing Size Exclusion Chromatography for the Quality Control Analysis of Gene Therapeutics”<ul><li>Rebecca Hirschberger, QC Manager Bioanalytical Implementation, and Dr. Christopher Gawlig, QC Manager Research and development, Biospring, Germany</li></ul>8:35 AM (PT) "Impurity Profiling Optimization of GalNAc-conjugated Oligonucleotides by LC-MS-UV"<ul><li>Roxana Eggleston-Rangel, Senior Applications Scientist, Phenomenex, California, USA</li></ul>9:05 AM (PT) – Round Table Q&amp;A<ul><li>Tran N. Pham, Global Biopharma Market Development Manager at Phenomenex</li></ul>9:25 AM (PT) – Closing Remarks<blockquote>Presenter: Charles Bai (Lead Application Scientist)Charles has received his PhD in Microbiology at Purdue University. As a Lead Application Scientist at VectorBuilder, his main responsibilities are to provide technical consultation for clients regarding gene delivery using viral and non-viral vectors. Regarding the application of in vitro transcribed (IVT) RNA, Charles has been helping researchers with the design, production and encapsulation of IVT mRNA, circRNA or saRNA for therapy and vaccine development.Presenter: Rebecca Hirschberger (Quality Control Bioanalytical Method Development)Rebecca has been in the chromatography industry for over 2 years and has practical experience in the quality control of gene therapeutics. She has earnt a Masters in pharmaceutical science from Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, focused on instrumental analytics. Since Dezember 2022 she is a licensed Pharmacist in Germany. Rebecca Hirschberger joined BioSpring in August of 2021 and she serves as QC Manager Bioanalytical Implementation. Her area of responsibility includes: Various analyses of oligonucleotides, including (tandem) mass spectrometry via qToF, biochemical techniques, i.e. ELISA, enzymatic transformation of oligonucleotides for analytical and quality control purposes and the Separation of oligonucleotides by chromatographic methods.Presenter: Roxana Eggleston-Rangel (Senior Applications Scientist, Phenomenex)Roxana joined Phenomenex in 2018 as an Applications Scientist and is currently working with the applications team to produce analytical solutions for scientist in the biopharma industry. Roxana’s current work focuses on characterization of mRNA, sgRNA and siRNA. Prior to Phenomenex, Roxana worked for Caltech and the University of Southern California developing LM-CS workflows for the proteomics community. Roxana Eggleston-Rangel received her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Chemistry and Biochemistry from California State University, Los Angeles.</blockquote>

Phenomenex: 2nd Annual Virtual Biosymposium

2nd Annual Virtual Biosymposium

Explore novel analytical characterization and quantitation of emerging modalities, such as DNA and mRNA

LCMS webinars focusing on HPLC - page 20

PFAS in Food

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