This workflow confirms and quantifies 31 drugs of abuse in oral fluid (including THC) in a 4.5‑minute LC run on the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products/1149">Thermo Scientific Stellar mass spectrometer</a> using full scan + targeted MS2 (tMS2) with both HCD and CID fragmentation. With 1 µL injection and 0.1% formic acid in water/methanol mobile phases, the method supports ~13 samples/hour (up to ~320/day continuous operation) while maintaining confirmation performance via ion ratios.<blockquote><h5>Method at a glance</h5><ul><li>What matrix is tested? Oral fluid</li><li>How many drugs? 31 drugs of abuse (panel includes THC)</li><li>Run time? 4.5 minutes</li><li>Throughput? ~13 samples/hour → up to ~320 samples/day (24‑hour operation)</li><li>Injection volume? 1 µL</li><li>Mobile phases? 0.1% formic acid in water (A) and 0.1% formic acid in methanol (B)</li><li>MS acquisition? Full scan + targeted MS2 (tMS2)</li><li>Fragmentation? Compound‑optimized HCD and CID in the same targeted list</li><li>Confirmation strategy? Ion ratios with ±20% tolerance (typical confirmatory approach)</li></ul></blockquote><h3>Why oral fluid—and why speed matters</h3>Oral fluid is attractive for clinical and forensic toxicology because collection is simple and the matrix aligns well with high‑volume workflows (workplace/occupational, roadside, and other settings). The challenge is building a method that’s simultaneously:<ul><li>Broad enough for today’s drug panels</li><li>Sensitive enough to reach required cutoffs</li><li>Fast enough to keep sample queues under control</li><li>Confirmation‑ready (consistent product ions and ion ratios)</li></ul>A 4.5‑minute method is a practical lever here: compress runtime, raise throughput, and still keep confirmation quality by optimizing MS/MS conditions per compound.<h3>The LC method</h3>A short, efficient separation is the foundation of the workflow:<ul><li>UHPLC system: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products/744">Thermo Scientific Vanquish Horizon UHPLC</a></li><li>Column: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products/424">Thermo Scientific Accucore Biphenyl</a>, 50 × 2.1 mm, 2.6 µm</li><li>Mobile phase A: 0.1% formic acid in water</li><li>Mobile phase B: 0.1% formic acid in methanol</li><li>Injection volume: 1 µL</li><li>Gradient runtime: 4.5 minutes</li></ul><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_4_5_Minute_Oral_Fluid_LC_MS_Method_to_Detect_31_Drugs_of_Abuse_Using_Stellar_MS_fd3f3e8ea4.jpg" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific: 4.5-Minute Oral Fluid LC MS Method to Detect 31 Drugs of Abuse Using Stellar MS: Figure 1: Thermo Scientific Vanquish Horizon UHPLC system." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_4_5_Minute_Oral_Fluid_LC_MS_Method_to_Detect_31_Drugs_of_Abuse_Using_Stellar_MS_fd3f3e8ea4.jpg 120w," sizes="100vw" width="747" height="969"><h3>The MS method (Full scan + targeted MS2 with HCD + CID)</h3><h5>Acquisition approach</h5>This method uses a “two‑layer” strategy for quantitation + confirmation:<ol><li>Full scan (broad coverage, context, quantitative support)</li><li>Targeted MS2 (tMS2) (confirmation‑focused product ions, ion ratios)</li></ol><h5>The key differentiator: HCD and CID in one targeted list</h5>Instead of forcing every analyte into a single fragmentation style, the method uses both:<ul><li>HCD (beam‑type fragmentation)</li><li>CID (resonance‑type fragmentation)</li></ul><h5>Why that improves method development:</h5>Drugs of abuse span multiple chemistries. A single collision approach often works “okay” for most compounds—but one or two analytes can become persistent problems (weak qualifiers, unstable ion ratios, excess noise). Having both HCD and CID available in one method lets you optimize per compound and move faster.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_4_5_Minute_Oral_Fluid_LC_MS_Method_to_Detect_31_Drugs_of_Abuse_Using_Stellar_MS_3_e4a95651a2.jpg" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific: 4.5-Minute Oral Fluid LC MS Method to Detect 31 Drugs of Abuse Using Stellar MS: Figure 2: Thermo Scientific Stellar mass spectrometer." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_4_5_Minute_Oral_Fluid_LC_MS_Method_to_Detect_31_Drugs_of_Abuse_Using_Stellar_MS_3_e4a95651a2.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="645" height="377"><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_4_5_Minute_Oral_Fluid_LC_MS_Method_to_Detect_31_Drugs_of_Abuse_Using_Stellar_MS_5_88276eec6a.jpg" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific: 4.5-Minute Oral Fluid LC MS Method to Detect 31 Drugs of Abuse Using Stellar MS: Figure 3: Full scan &amp; targeted MS2 methods, HCD and collision energies used." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_4_5_Minute_Oral_Fluid_LC_MS_Method_to_Detect_31_Drugs_of_Abuse_Using_Stellar_MS_5_88276eec6a.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="768" height="279"><h3>Why CID + HCD flexibility improves confirmation</h3>In this workflow, HCD performed well for most compounds. But for buprenorphine, HCD produced one dominant product ion with additional low m/z noise and noticeable residual precursor. Using CID generated two high‑intensity product ions and delivered consistent ion ratios across the calibration range.When your confirmation hinges on stable ion ratios, the ability to switch fragmentation mode (not just collision energy) is a method‑development advantage—especially for “problem analytes.”<h3>Controllable ionization</h3>Oral fluid methods often deal with limited sample volume and matrix effects. This workflow pairs low injection volume with ionization control using the Thermo Scientific OptaMax Plus HESI source.<ul><li>The OptaMax Plus HESI source supports high probe temperature capability (up to 650 °C).</li><li>In this study, a vaporizer temperature of 500 °C was used to help achieve sensitivity and improve relative peak areas across drugs of abuse.</li></ul>Why this matters: If you’re injecting only 1 µL, ionization stability and efficiency can be the difference between “meets cutoff” and “misses at LOQ.”<h3>Sample preparation</h3>Oral fluid panels become more challenging when THC is included because most drugs of abuse are basic, while THC is largely neutral, and that can stress extraction chemistry.In this workflow, oral fluid calibrators and samples were extracted using a mixed‑mode approach designed to recover THC alongside other drugs:<ul><li>Calibrators prepared across eight levels (broad dynamic range)</li><li>Extraction performed using mixed‑mode chemistry tips (SCX/WAX) in a dispersive SPE‑style workflow</li><li>Steps automated on a liquid handling platform to support high‑throughput consistency</li><li>Samples dried and reconstituted prior to LC‑MS analysis</li><li>Only 1 µL injected per run</li></ul>Even if your lab uses different automation or consumables, the method structure (fast LC + full scan + targeted MS2 with dual fragmentation) transfers well.<blockquote><h5>Throughput math</h5><ul><li>4.5 minutes per injection → 60 / 4.5 = 13.3 injections/hour</li><li>That’s ~13 samples/hour in typical phrasing</li><li>Over 24 hours: 13.3 × 24 = ~320 samples/day (continuous operation)</li></ul>If you run a single shift, just scale accordingly (e.g., ~106/day for an 8‑hour shift, excluding QC and overhead).</blockquote><h3>Performance summary</h3><h5>Sensitivity and linearity</h5><ul><li>Linearity from LOQs as low as 0.25 ng/mL up to 1,000 ng/mL (panel-dependent)</li><li>For THC specifically: LOQ at 1 ng/mL, with a dynamic range extending to 1,000 ng/mL in this evaluation</li><li>Across the panel, LOQs were reported as lower than recommended confirmation cutoffs referenced in SAMHSA guidance and NSC Tier 1 cutoffs (study-specific outcome)</li></ul><h5>Confirmation via ion ratios</h5><ul><li>Ion ratios evaluated using ±20% tolerance (typical confirmatory acceptance framework)</li><li>The workflow produced consistent ion ratios across calibrator levels for the full panel in this evaluation</li></ul><h5>Case sample comparison (real-world relevance)</h5>When compared against a validated triple quadrupole method for case study samples, the Stellar MS workflow:<ul><li>Confirmed the positive hits observed by the reference method</li><li>Reported a few additional positives for select analytes, attributed to lower LOQs</li><li>Highlighted an operational efficiency point: 1 µL injection in this method versus 20 µL injection in the compared method</li></ul><h3>FAQ</h3><div><div><ol><li>How long does the LC‑MS run take for the 31‑drug oral fluid panel? 4.5 minutes per injection using a short UHPLC gradient. &nbsp;</li><li>How many drugs of abuse can Stellar MS detect in this workflow? 31 drugs of abuse, including THC, using full scan + targeted MS2. &nbsp;</li><li>What MS/MS approach is used? A combined strategy: full scan plus targeted MS2 (tMS2) for confirmation. &nbsp;</li><li>Why use both HCD and CID? Because some analytes fragment better—and produce more stable confirmation ions/ion ratios—under one mode versus the other. Using both increases flexibility and speeds method optimization. &nbsp;</li><li>What injection volume is used? 1 µL of extracted sample. &nbsp;</li><li>What mobile phases are used? 0.1% formic acid in water (A) and 0.1% formic acid in methanol (B). &nbsp;</li><li>How many samples can you run per day? At 4.5 minutes/injection, throughput is ~13 samples/hour or up to ~320/day with continuous operation (actual throughput depends on QC and scheduling).</li></ol></div></div><h3>What makes this workflow “easy” to develop on Stellar MS</h3>Here’s the short list of features that directly reduce method‑development friction:<ul><li>HCD or CID in one method → optimize per compound, not compromise</li><li>Fast MS2 acquisition speeds (up to 140 Hz for MS2) → more data points across narrow peaks</li><li>Fast polarity switching (true 5 ms) → supports mixed panels efficiently</li><li>Adaptive RT (real‑time retention time window adjustment) → helps reduce reinjections when retention times drift (e.g., column aging) and supports method transfer from longer to shorter gradients</li><li>OptaMax Plus HESI source control → supports sensitivity at low injection volumes</li></ul>If you’re building a fast oral fluid confirmation workflow—or updating an existing DOA panel—this 4.5‑minute method shows how Stellar MS can combine speed, confirmation-ready MS2, and fragmentation flexibility (HCD + CID) in a single targeted workflow. Reach out to learn how to adapt the targeted list, collision settings, and scheduling strategy to your lab’s cutoffs and throughput goals.<blockquote>Visit us on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/72003132/admin/dashboard/">LinkedIn:</a>&nbsp;#MassSpectrometry #OralFluid #DrugsOfAbuse #MethodDevelopment #HighThroughput</blockquote>

4.5-Minute Oral Fluid LC MS Method to Detect 31 Drugs of Abuse Using Stellar MS

<h2><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.isc2026.org/">ISC 2026</a></h2>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/companies/314">International Symposium on Chromatography (ISC)</a> represents the oldest conference series on separation science. ISC symposia have been organised since 1956 in each even year. ISC is one of the premier meetings series for discussion of all modes of chromatography and separation science with a broad coverage of techniques and applications.<h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/events/644">35th International Symposium on Chromatography</a></h4>📆6. - 10. September 2026📍Prague, Czech Republic<h3>REGISTRATION</h3><blockquote>👉<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.czech-in.org/cmPortalV15/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2FcmPortalV15%2FPortal%2FISC26%2Fnormal">Register HERE for the ISC 2026</a>Late Registration until 25 August 2026</blockquote><h3>INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES</h3><h4>Activity 1: Discussion Session: Industry &amp; Education</h4><ul><li>Monday, 7 September 2026 | 16:30-17:50</li><li>Place: Club A</li><li>Moderators: Tony Edge and Deirdre Cabooter&nbsp;</li></ul><h5>Concept:</h5>This discussion session will explore the relationship between education in separation science in academia and the expectations of industry, focusing on how universities and companies can better collaborate to prepare graduates for successful careers in analytical laboratories and R&amp;D environments. The goal of the session is to provide perspectives from both academia and industry on how education in chromatography and related separation techniques can evolve to better reflect current technological, methodological, and regulatory challenges.<h5>Discussion Topics:</h5><ul><li>Bridging academia and industry: how both sectors perceive current cooperation and where improvements are possible&nbsp;</li><li>Graduate preparedness: which skills and competencies are often missing when entering industrial roles, and in which areas graduates typically excel&nbsp;</li><li>Approaches to teaching separation science: how chromatography and related analytical techniques are taught across different universities and regions&nbsp;</li><li>Industry support for education: examples of collaboration such as internships, industrial placements, joint teaching activities, or access to instrumentation&nbsp;</li><li>Experiences with academia–industry partnerships: what models of cooperation have proven effective in practice&nbsp;</li><li>Future perspectives: how education in separation science should adapt to emerging trends such as automation, digitalization, sustainability, and regulatory requirements&nbsp;</li></ul><h5>Format:</h5>Moderated panel discussion with short introductory remarks from invited speakers representing both academia and industry, followed by an interactive discussion with the audience.<h5>Panelists:</h5><ul><li>Shimadzu&nbsp;</li><li>Novartis&nbsp;</li><li>Jelle De Vos, RIC Group&nbsp;</li><li>Davy Guillarme, University of Geneva&nbsp;</li><li>Caterina Temporini, University of Pavia&nbsp;</li></ul><h4>Activity 2: Career Presentation&nbsp;</h4><ul><li>Monday, 7 September 2026 | 18:00-19:00</li><li>Place: Club A</li><li>Moderators: Adrian Clarke and Martina Catani</li></ul><h5>Concept:</h5>This session will provide an overview of career opportunities in separation science across industry, highlighting the wide range of professional pathways available to graduates and experienced scientists working in chromatography and related analytical disciplines.Participating companies will introduce their organizations, present typical roles involving separation techniques, and share insights into the skills and competencies they seek in candidates. The session is intended to support students, early-career researchers, and experienced professionals interested in exploring career options in industry sectors.<h5>Discussion Topics:&nbsp;</h5><ul><li>Overview of career paths involving chromatography and separation science&nbsp;</li><li>Entry-level opportunities for graduates and PhD holders&nbsp;</li><li>Positions for experienced scientists and technical specialists&nbsp;</li><li>Roles in R&amp;D, analytical development, quality control, regulatory science, application support, and instrument development&nbsp;</li><li>Skills and competencies valued by employers in separation science&nbsp;</li><li>Internships, graduate programs, and early-career development opportunities&nbsp;</li><li>Mobility between academia and industry&nbsp;</li></ul><h5>Format:</h5>Short presentation providing:<ul><li>overview of different carrier paths&nbsp;</li><li>introduction to the company and its activities related to separation science&nbsp;</li><li>examples of typical roles and career progression paths&nbsp;</li><li>information about current or expected hiring needs&nbsp;</li><li>advice for candidates interested in pursuing careers in industry&nbsp;</li><li>the session should include time for informal discussion, allowing participants to interact with company representatives and learn more about specific opportunities.&nbsp;</li></ul><h4>Activity 3: Job Fair</h4><ul><li>Monday, 7 September and Tuesday, 8 September 2026 | 12:30-14:00</li><li>Place: Club A</li><li>Main organizer: Adrian Clarke</li></ul><h5>Concept:</h5>The ISC 2026 Job Fair provides a structured opportunity for direct interaction between companies active in separation science and conference participants seeking career opportunities. The session is designed to facilitate efficient, focused conversations between employers and candidates interested in positions related to chromatography and analytical science.Participating candidates will submit their CV in advance allowing companies to review profiles prior to the event and identify potential matches based on expertise, experience, and career interests.<h5>Format:</h5>The Job Fair will follow a structured rotation format:<ul><li>Each participating company will be assigned a dedicated table&nbsp;</li><li>One company representative will meet candidates individually&nbsp;</li><li>Each candidate will have 5 minutes per meeting to introduce their background and interests&nbsp;</li><li>Participants will rotate between companies at timed intervals&nbsp;</li><li>Session timing will be managed by the organizer, with a signal indicating when to move to the next meeting&nbsp;</li></ul><h5>Candidates:</h5>Participants interested in joining the Job Fair are asked to:<ul><li>submit their CV before August 23rd &nbsp;</li><li>indicate areas of expertise and career interests&nbsp;</li><li>specify whether they are seeking internships, entry-level roles, or experienced positions&nbsp;</li><li>specify if you cannot be available on a certain day e.g. owing to poster presentation&nbsp;</li><li>send these materials to: <a href="mailto:careers@isc2026.org">careers@isc2026.org</a>&nbsp;</li></ul><h5>Companies:</h5>Confirmed participating companies to date include:<ul><li>Novartis&nbsp;</li><li>RIC Group&nbsp;</li><li>Shimadzu&nbsp;</li><li>further companies to be added&nbsp;</li></ul>Potential employers please register your interest to <a href="mailto:careers@isc2026.org">careers@isc2026.org</a> to participate in the speed-dating (first come first served basis).“Jobs position” board will be available in the Careers fair in the foyer in the symposium venue and attendees can visit the company booths in the exhibition hall or discuss with recruiting companies during the conference.<blockquote>Recruiters please send an email with your open positions to <a href="careers@isc2026.org">careers@isc2026.org</a> by the 23rd August and bring the job adverts to post on the jobs board (there will also be the possibility to upload the open positions to the Symposium app).</blockquote><h4>Activity 4: Discussion Session: Artificial Intelligence in Separation Science: From Concept to Practice</h4><ul><li>Tuesday, 8 September 2026 | 16:30-18:00</li><li>Place: Club A</li><li>Moderators: Bob Pirok</li></ul><h5>Concept:</h5>Artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven approaches are increasingly influencing analytical chemistry, offering new possibilities for method development, data interpretation, process optimization, and decision support. This discussion session will explore how AI is currently being applied in separation science, with a particular focus on practical implementation in industry environments.The session aims to provide a realistic overview of the current state of AI adoption, highlighting both successful applications and remaining challenges. Contributions from industry and academia will help clarify where AI already delivers value, where expectations may exceed current capabilities, and what developments are needed to enable broader implementation.<h5>Discussion Topics:&nbsp;</h5><ul><li>Current applications of AI and machine learning in separation science&nbsp;</li><li>Use of AI in chromatographic method development and optimization&nbsp;</li><li>Data analysis, peak detection, and automated interpretation of complex datasets&nbsp;</li><li>AI-supported troubleshooting and predictive maintenance of analytical instruments&nbsp;</li><li>Integration of AI into regulated environments (e.g., pharmaceutical industry)&nbsp;</li><li>Data requirements, data quality, and standardization challenges&nbsp;</li><li>Comparison between academic developments and real-world industrial implementation&nbsp;</li><li>Barriers to adoption, including regulatory considerations, validation requirements, and transparency of models&nbsp;</li><li>Future outlook: digital laboratories, autonomous method development, and AI-assisted decision-making in analytical workflows&nbsp;</li></ul><h5>Format:</h5>Moderated panel discussion with short introductory remarks from invited speakers representing both academia and industry, followed by an interactive discussion with the audience.<h4>Activity 5: Discussion Session: Sustainability in Separation Science</h4><ul><li>Wednesday, 9 September 2026 | 16:30-18:00</li><li>Place: Club A</li><li>Moderators: Gertrud Morlock</li></ul><h5>Concept:</h5>Sustainability has become an increasingly important priority in analytical science, driving the development of greener methods, reduced solvent consumption, improved energy efficiency, and more responsible laboratory practices. While academic research frequently proposes innovative sustainable approaches, their implementation in industry is often influenced by additional considerations such as robustness, regulatory compliance, cost efficiency, scalability, and long-term reliability.This discussion session aims to explore how sustainability principles are applied in real industrial environments and how collaboration between academia and industry can help translate promising research concepts into practical, validated solutions.By bringing together perspectives from both sectors, the session will highlight opportunities to better align research priorities with industrial needs and identify realistic pathways toward more sustainable separation workflows.<h5>Discussion Topics:&nbsp;</h5><ul><li>Reduction of solvent consumption and the transition to more environmentally friendly mobile phases&nbsp;</li><li>Miniaturized and more efficient separation and extraction techniques&nbsp;</li><li>Energy consumption and efficiency of laboratory processes and analytical instrumentation&nbsp;</li><li>Lifecycle considerations for columns, consumables, and laboratory waste&nbsp;</li><li>Metrics and approaches for measuring and evaluating the “greenness” of analytical methods&nbsp;</li><li>Regulatory constraints and requirements that may limit the implementation of greener analytical workflows&nbsp;</li></ul><h5>Format:</h5>Moderated panel discussion with short introductory contributions from invited speakers representing industry, academia, and technology providers, followed by interactive discussion with the audience.<h5>Panelists:</h5><ul><li>Sébastien Rolle, Shimadzu&nbsp;</li><li>Ken Cook, Thermo Fisher Scientific&nbsp;</li><li>Andreas Otto, Agilent&nbsp;</li><li>Janusz Pawliszyn, University of Waterloo&nbsp;</li><li>Giorgia Purcaro, University of Liège&nbsp;</li></ul>

Industry program at ISC 2026

We are delighted to invite food scientists from academia and industry, representatives of (inter)national agencies, control authorities, governmental and commercial laboratories to attend <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/events/928">RAFA 2026</a> (12th Symposium on Recent Advances in Food Analysis), that takes place 3–6 November 2026 in Prague..<blockquote>👉<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://rafa.easyevent.eu/tickets/">SUBMIT ABSTRACT</a> FOR POSTER PRESENTATION by August 31, 2026Do not miss the opportunity to present your latest results at RAFA 2026.</blockquote><h5>Next deadlines:</h5><ul><li>August 31, 2026: 2nd window – &nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.rafa2026.eu/sponsors_exhibitors_media_partners_info.html">Application for participation as a Sponsor or Exhibitor</a></li><li>September 30, 2026:&nbsp;<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.rafa2026.eu/registration.html">Registration at the regular rate</a></li><li>Abstract submission – Last minute posters (May not appear in the RAFA 2026 program)</li></ul></li></ul>Since its first edition in 2003, RAFA has grown into a prestigious international event, typically welcoming up to 850 participants from more than 60 countries worldwide, with the support of more than 50 sponsors, exhibitors, media and supporting partners.RAFA 2026 will provide an overview of contemporary trends in the ANALYTICAL &amp; BIOANALYTICAL STRATEGIES IN FOOD QUALITY AND SAFETY CONTROL and discuss the CHALLENGES AND NOVEL APPROACHES IN FOOD AND NATURAL PRODUCTS ANALYSIS.View the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.rafa2026.eu/invited_speakers.html">list of distinguished speakers</a> who have accepted our invitation to RAFA 2026 and will present current hot topics and future perspectives in food analysis!<blockquote>👉More details on the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.rafa2026.eu/scientific_programme.html">RAFA 2026 preliminary program</a> can be found HERE.👉OUR <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.rafa2026.eu/about_sponsors_exhibitors_partners.html">SPONSORS, EXHIBITORS, MEDIA and SUPPORTING PARTNERS</a></blockquote>You are kindly invited to join and contribute to our exciting scientific program and unforgettable social events!We look forward to meeting you again in Prague!<ul><li>Prof. Jana Pulkrabova &amp; Dr. Stefan van Leeuwen, Symposium Chairs</li><li>Prof. Michele Suman, Symposium Co-chair</li><li>Prof. Jana Hajslova &amp; Prof. Michel Nielen, Symposium Honorary Chairs</li></ul>

RAFA 2026 - Deadline for Abstract Submission for poster presentation is coming

Article

Product

Events

Application

Food

Video

RAFA provides an overview of contemporary trends in ANALYTICAL & BIOANALYTICAL STRATEGIES IN FOOD QUALITY AND SAFETY CONTROL and discusses CHALLENGES / NOVEL APPROACHES IN FOOD AND NATURAL PRODUCTS ANALYSIS.

Recent Advances in Food Analysis (RAFA)

A unique company dedicated to serving science helping our customers drive productivity and accelerate results. Through our premier brands – Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific and Unity Lab Services.

Thermo Fisher Scientific

The International Symposium on Chromatography (ISC) represents the oldest conference series focussing on separation science. ISC symposia have been organised since 1956 in each even year. ISC is internationally recognised as one of the premier meeting series for discussion of all modes of chromatography and separation science with a broad coverage of techniques and applications.

International Symposium on Chromatography - (ISC)

Agilent Technologies

Reversed phase is the most common mode of HPLC but if it’s not working for you, don’t despair, there are other options. Perhaps HILIC, Chiral, IEX, GPC/SEC, Affinity, SFC, or HIC might be better suited to your sample type.
In this seminar, we will look at additional chromatographic techniques and discuss:
<ul>
<li>Mechanism of separation
</li>
<li>Column selection and available chemistries
</li>
<li>Typical method and eluent conditions
</li>
</ul>
Becoming familiar with other modes of chromatography and investigating alternative chemistry options can result in an improved separation or provide additional information for your sample.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Jean Lane (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Jean has been employed with Agilent since Nov 2010 in technical and applications support and has a primary role supporting Agilent’s full line of LC columns and consumables, which also includes support for Agilent’s GPC/SEC product line. She came to Agilent thru acquisition of Varian and the former Polymer Laboratories. Jean has 20 plus years of technical and applications support for both HPLC and GPC consumable products. In addition to practical chromatography experience in the laboratory, she has had many, many years in her technical role involving customer support providing assistance and troubleshooting for customer chromatography issues.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: There is More to HPLC Than Reversed Phase; Exploring Other Options

There is More to HPLC Than Reversed Phase; Exploring Other Options

There is More to HPLC: Exploring Other Options

Selecting the best GPC solution – column, solvent, calibration standards, detector, etc. – can be difficult.
This presentation will cover the common questions that should be asked and aspects that should be considered when developing a GPC method so that it is robust and reproducible.
Topics that will be covered include:
<ul>
<li>Solvent choice – importance of selection
</li>
<li>Polymer Standards – choosing correctly
</li>
<li>Column choice – organic or aqueous, key selection criteria
</li>
<li>Combining columns of different types – it is NOT always a good idea
</li>
<li>Detectors – appropriate for my sample and calibration standards
</li>
</ul>
Taking time to address each of these specific areas can help you to achieve long term, reproducible, and reliable GPC results. Relevant application examples will be given.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Jean Lane (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Jean has been employed with Agilent since Nov 2010 in technical and applications support and has a primary role supporting Agilent’s full line of LC columns and consumables, which also includes support for Agilent’s GPC/SEC product line. She came to Agilent thru acquisition of Varian and the former Polymer Laboratories. Jean has 20 plus years of technical and applications support for both HPLC and GPC consumable products. In addition to practical chromatography experience in the laboratory, she has had many, many years in her technical role involving customer support providing assistance and troubleshooting for customer chromatography issues.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: GPC: Practical Steps in GPC Method Development

GPC: Practical Steps in GPC Method Development

Common questions that should be asked and aspects that should be considered when developing a GPC method so that it is robust and reproducible.

You’re required to separate your sample by “Size in Solution”. There are several terms used to describe the chromatographic process of separating molecules according to size but which is the correct one for your sample.
In this presentation we will:
Clarify the terms
Compare both their similarities and differences
Look at sample types, polymer vs. biomolecule and why the choice of column IS important
Discuss method development considerations like mobile phase and calibration curves
<blockquote>
Presenter: Jean Lane (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Jean has been employed with Agilent since Nov 2010 in technical and applications support and has a primary role supporting Agilent’s full line of LC columns and consumables, which also includes support for Agilent’s GPC/SEC product line. She came to Agilent thru acquisition of Varian and the former Polymer Laboratories. Jean has 20 plus years of technical and applications support for both HPLC and GPC consumable products. In addition to practical chromatography experience in the laboratory, she has had many, many years in her technical role involving customer support providing assistance and troubleshooting for customer chromatography issues.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Clearing Up the Confusion - GPC/SEC/GFC - What, When, Why and How

Clearing Up the Confusion - GPC/SEC/GFC - What, When, Why and How

There are several terms used to describe the chromatographic process of separating molecules according to size but which is the correct one for your sample.

Clearing Up the Confusion- GPC/SEC/GFC- What, When, Why, How

GPC/SEC is a non-interactive chromatographic technique that will separate samples based on their size in solution and NOT on their chemistry. How do you choose, e.g. the right mobile phase, column, etc. for your sample?
In this webinar, we will examine the following elements of GPC/SEC method development:
<ul>
<li>Sample type – Polymer vs Protein
</li>
<li>Solvent choice – Organic vs Aqueous
</li>
<li>Columns – Traditional, NEW Multisolvent column (for both GPC &amp; SEC), Fast GPC; Which is best and how can you maximize column performance thru selection
</li>
<li>Calibration – What standards are appropriate to use; Why and why not
</li>
<li>Detection – RI and Advanced Detection We will look at each of these areas, provide application examples, and valuable tips to help you develop a GPC/SEC method that is both robust and reproducible.
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Jean Lane (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Jean has been employed with Agilent since Nov 2010 in technical and applications support and has a primary role supporting Agilent’s full line of LC columns and consumables, which also includes support for Agilent’s GPC/SEC product line. She came to Agilent thru acquisition of Varian and the former Polymer Laboratories. Jean has 20 plus years of technical and applications support for both HPLC and GPC consumable products. In addition to practical chromatography experience in the laboratory, she has had many, many years in her technical role involving customer support providing assistance and troubleshooting for customer chromatography issues.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Encore Performance!!! GPC/SEC Method Development; It’s Not Just About Sample Size in Solution

Encore Performance!!! GPC/SEC Method Development; It’s Not Just About Sample Size in Solution

GPC/SEC Method Development

A short review of GPC/SEC theory and technique including conventional and multiple detection analysis is followed by a look at current applications of GPC/SEC in the fields of Biotechnology and Biopharmaceuticals research and manufacturing.
GPC/SEC has traditionally been applied in synthetic polymer production and related product manufacturing. It has also been widely used in analysis of natural products. GPC/SEC provides valuable characterization by molecular size, molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. It is now being increasing applied to discovery, production and manufacturing of materials for Biotechnology and Biopharmaceuticals in drug deliveries, therapeutic products and medical devices. Attendees will benefit from review of technique and applications information.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Richard J. Lentner (Field Applications Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Richard J. Lentner is a Field Applications Engineer with Agilent Technologies supporting the broad portfolio of Agilent products for GPC including hardware systems, specialty systems (HTGPC, Triple Detection GPC) Software (GPC/SEC, Multi Detection GPC, BIO-SEC), GPC consumable GPC Columns and Standards. He delivers training and consulting within America Field Operations with over thirty years in GPC support, sales and service of GPC related products. His studies include Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Applications in Gel Permeation/Size Exclusion Chromatography (GPC/SEC) for the Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutic

Applications in Gel Permeation/Size Exclusion Chromatography (GPC/SEC) for the Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutic

GPC/SEC theory and technique including conventional and multiple detection analysis.

Applications in Gel Permeation/Size Exclusion Chromatography

In most HPLC separations there is a wanted interaction of the sample with a chromatography packing.
When doing GPC/SEC separations, that is not the case. GPC/SEC is a noninteractive technique that separates samples based on their size in solution and not on their chemistry. This presentation will cover the common questions that should be asked when developing a robust and reproducible GPC/SEC method.
Topics will include:
<ul>
<li>Sample type: protein vs polymer
</li>
<li>Solvent Selection and its importance
</li>
<li>Column Choices &amp; how to choose correctly
</li>
<li>Calibrants
</li>
<li>Detector &amp; Instrument Considerations
</li>
</ul>
As we discuss each topic area we’ll look at examples and provide valuable tips that can help you achieve long term reproducible and reliable results.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Jean Lane (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Jean has been employed with Agilent since Nov 2010 in technical and applications support and has a primary role supporting Agilent’s full line of LC columns and consumables, which also includes support for Agilent’s GPC/SEC product line. She came to Agilent thru acquisition of Varian and the former Polymer Laboratories. Jean has 20 plus years of technical and applications support for both HPLC and GPC consumable products. In addition to practical chromatography experience in the laboratory, she has had many, many years in her technical role involving customer support providing assistance and troubleshooting for customer chromatography issues.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: From Proteins to Polymers – GPC-SEC: Understanding Column Selection and Method Considerations for Your Sample

From Proteins to Polymers – GPC-SEC: Understanding Column Selection and Method Considerations for Your Sample

Common questions that should be asked when developing a robust and reproducible GPC/SEC method.

Understanding Column Selection and Method Considerations

GPC/SEC, Gel Permeation Chromatography or Size Exclusion Chromatography, is a non-interactive chromatographic technique that separates analytes based on their size in solution.
It is often used in laboratories for determination of a polymers&#39; molecular weight distribution but has many other uses.
In this talk we will:
<ul>
<li>Review GPC theory
</li>
<li>Discuss why molecular weight distribution is important
</li>
<li>Look at the different types of columns and their uses
</li>
<li>Cover key column selection criteria
</li>
<li>Show how key parameters like concentration, particle size, and injection volume can affect your separation
</li>
</ul>
We will also look at examples of common mistakes and pitfalls relating to solvent choice, calibration standards, and combining columns in series.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Jean Lane (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Jean has been employed with Agilent since Nov 2010 in technical and applications support and has a primary role supporting Agilent’s full line of LC columns and consumables, which also includes support for Agilent’s GPC/SEC product line. She came to Agilent thru acquisition of Varian and the former Polymer Laboratories. Jean has 20 plus years of technical and applications support for both HPLC and GPC consumable products. In addition to practical chromatography experience in the laboratory, she has had many, many years in her technical role involving customer support providing assistance and troubleshooting for customer chromatography issues.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Gel Permeation Chromatography Basics and Beyond

Gel Permeation Chromatography Basics and Beyond

GPC/SEC, Gel Permeation Chromatography or Size Exclusion Chromatography.

The technique of Gel Permeation Chromatography is conceptually simple: It is a separation based on size where no enthalpic interactions are observed.
In practice, GPC is often much more involved yielding involved method development and data that can be difficult to interpret. Though GPC can seem mystifying at times 90% of the success is achieved by using the proper columns for your application.
During this e-seminar we will discuss what is new in GPC column technology, different types of stationary phases, and how to choose the best columns which yield:
<ul>
<li>Improved resolution
</li>
<li>Improved reproducibility
</li>
<li>Improved accuracy
</li>
<li>Improved analysis time
</li>
</ul>
The goal of the e-seminar is to illustrate how proper GPC column selection can make the difference between good and great chromatography.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Michael Kruger (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Achieving Superior GPC Results Through the Correct Column Selection

Achieving Superior GPC Results Through the Correct Column Selection

What is new in GPC column technology, different types of stationary phases, and how to choose the best columns.

LCMS webinars focusing on GPC/SEC - page 22