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

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

News from LabRulezLCMS Library - Week 20, 2026

🎤Lindsay Repka&nbsp;Lindsay Repka is a chemistry professor at Middlebury College whose research explores photoredox chemistry, catalyst stability, and visible-light-driven transformations. Her lab emphasizes both mechanistic insight and hands-on student training in advanced analytical instrumentation.In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, we sit down with Lindsay Repka to discuss how LC-MS and GC-MS transformed her lab’s approach to photoredox chemistry.What began as a project to develop a visible-light photocrosslinking handle unexpectedly led to a major discovery: the solvent (DMF) was reacting with the photocatalyst itself. Using high-resolution LC-MS, Lindsay’s team observed multiple solvent adducts forming — sometimes with complete catalyst consumption. That discovery reshaped their research direction.This episode is a rare deep dive into both LC-MS and GC-MS within the same research project, showing how chromatography-driven insight can turn unexpected degradation into productive new reactivity.If you work in:<ul><li>Photoredox chemistry</li><li>Reaction optimization</li><li>Mass spectrometry method development</li><li>Catalyst screening</li><li>Academic synthetic chemistry</li></ul>…this conversation will resonate.<h4>Key Topics Covered</h4><ul><li>Photocatalyst stability in DMF, DCE, and MeCN</li><li>Demethylation under mild visible-light conditions</li><li>High-resolution Q-TOF LC-MS quantitation</li><li>Internal standard methodology in GC-MS</li><li>Signal-to-noise improvement using extracted ion chromatograms</li><li>Reaction reproducibility and quality control strategy</li></ul><h3>Video Transcription</h3>In this interview, Lindsay Repka discusses the role of photoredox chemistry in method development, photocrosslinking, solvent activation, catalyst stability, and the use of LC-MS and GC-MS to understand reaction pathways.<h4>What is photoredox chemistry?</h4>Photoredox chemistry uses light to activate a photocatalyst, which can either donate or accept an electron from a substrate. This generates radical species that can undergo new types of reactivity.Repka explains that one of the key advantages of photoredox chemistry is its ability to operate under mild conditions, often using visible light. This makes it attractive for sensitive molecules and biological systems, including potential applications in drug release, live-cell chemistry, and drug development.<h4>Photocrosslinking and drug-target interactions</h4>Repka’s group initially aimed to develop visible-light photocrosslinking methods to study drug interactions with biological targets. Photocrosslinking can covalently link a drug to its target, making it easier to identify the biological target of a compound.Traditional photocrosslinking often uses UV light, but visible light offers milder and more biologically compatible conditions.<h4>From photocrosslinking to solvent activation</h4>The project shifted direction when the desired photocrosslinking reactions gave very low yields. Instead of reacting with amino acids as intended, the radical intermediate mainly reacted with itself.The team explored different solvents to stabilize the radical, but found that some solvents, such as DMF, were not inert. Instead, the solvent reacted with the photocatalyst or radical species, revealing unexpected solvent activation chemistry.<h4>Why LC-MS was critical</h4>LC-MS became essential because the reaction mixtures were too complex and low-yielding for NMR or GC-MS. High-resolution LC-MS allowed the team to detect minor products, identify photocatalyst modifications, and observe solvent addition products with high confidence.Repka emphasizes that LC-MS was both a qualitative and quantitative tool. It was used quantitatively to measure how much photocatalyst remained after light exposure, and qualitatively to identify degradation products and new reactivity pathways.<h4>Photocatalyst stability workflow</h4>The team developed a systematic workflow to evaluate photocatalyst stability under light exposure. Because catalyst degradation was time-sensitive, reproducibility required strict control of experimental conditions.Key steps included using a glove box, commercial deoxygenated solvents, accurate weighing on a microbalance, controlled light exposure in a photoreactor, and temperature control with a chiller. These precautions helped reduce day-to-day variability and enabled reproducible measurements of catalyst remaining.<h4>Quantifying catalyst remaining by LC-MS</h4>Calibration curves were prepared using pure photocatalyst solutions and LC-MS ion areas. The team worked in the nanomolar range to maintain linearity.Instead of relying only on total ion chromatograms, they used extracted ion chromatograms (EICs) to improve signal-to-noise for the photocatalyst signal. Baseline subtraction was also applied to reduce noise and improve quantitation at low concentrations.Calibration curves and quality control samples were prepared and measured on the same day as the reaction samples, because LC-MS signal intensity can vary significantly from day to day.<h4>Why GC-MS was used later</h4>For demethylation studies, the group moved to GC-MS because the substrates and products were small and volatile enough for gas chromatography. GC-MS was better suited for rapidly screening many reaction conditions, including different photocatalysts, solvents, and oxidants.Instead of generating full calibration curves for every experiment, the team used an internal standard to streamline analysis and determine percent conversion based on relative response factors.<h4>Practical lessons from the project</h4>Repka highlights the importance of careful sample preparation, especially when working with very small quantities of photocatalysts. A high-quality microbalance, stable granite platform, antistatic tools, and aluminum weigh boats improved weighing accuracy and reproducibility.She also argues that mass spectrometry should be a standard part of photoredox method development because it can reveal minor products, support reaction optimization, and provide insights that may be difficult or impossible to obtain by NMR alone.<h4>Final perspective</h4>Beyond the chemistry, Repka emphasizes the importance of student training and mentoring. For her, research is not only about discovering new reactivity but also about giving students practical experience, helping them develop independence, and preparing them for future scientific careers.<blockquote>This text has been automatically transcribed from a video presentation using AI technology. It may contain inaccuracies and is not guaranteed to be 100% correct.</blockquote><blockquote><h4>Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast</h4>Dive into the frontiers of chromatography, mass spectrometry, and sample preparation with host David Oliva. Each episode features candid conversations with leading researchers, industry innovators, and passionate scientists who are shaping the future of analytical chemistry. From decoding PFAS detection challenges to exploring the latest in AI-assisted liquid chromatography, this show uncovers practical workflows, sustainability breakthroughs, and the real-world impact of separation science. Whether you’re a chromatographer, lab professional, or researcher you'll discover inspiring content!You can find Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast in podcast apps:<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1wZg67rCjoGju4yhqxI3tL">Spotify</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/tz/podcast/concentrating-on-chromatography/id1788429185">Apple podcast</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podscan.fm/podcasts/concentrating-on-chromatography">podscan</a></li></ul>and on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/@ChromatographyTalk/videos">YouTube channel</a></blockquote>

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

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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

Do you have an older method that is no longer meeting your needs? Are you trying to decide if it’s worth updating it? Or have you already chosen to update but are now asking yourself, “Where do I go from here?”
Modernizing a legacy method can improve accuracy, ruggedness, and sample throughput.
In this webinar, we will look at the decision-making process and steps to make it happen, including:
<ul>
<li>Is the goal to reduce analysis time and/or improve resolution?
</li>
<li>What HPLC parameters will be key to success?
</li>
<li>What are the column options, and will they work with your instrumentation?
</li>
<li>How do I navigate the allowable adjustments to USP methods?
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Mark Powell (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Mark Powell is an Applications Engineer located at Agilent’s Little Falls site in Wilmington, DE. Before joining Agilent in 2011, Mark worked in the pharmaceutical industry synthesizing, purifying and analyzing drug candidates. He provides applications assistance and technical support for Agilent’s HPLC columns and consumables.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Method Makeover: Updating Older HPLC Methods

Method Makeover: Updating Older HPLC Methods

Modernizing a legacy method can improve accuracy, ruggedness, and sample throughput.

<h3>Solving Problems That Matter - a Waters webinar series featuring USP speakers</h3>
<h4>Episode 3: Enhanced Method Development</h4>
Summary
Enhanced method development is a science and risk-based approach to analytical procedure development that leverages QbD principles and “starts with the end in mind”. Our panelists Amanda Guiraldelli from the USP and Richard Verseput form S-Matrix will share their insights on approaches outlined in the ICH Q14 quality guidelines and USP general chapter &lt;1220&gt;. 
Key learning objectives:
<ul>
<li>Discover the benefits of the enhanced method development approach</li>
<li>Learn how to implement analytical QbD approaches in your lab</li>
</ul>
Who should attend:
Pharma scientists involved with analytical LC method development
<blockquote>
Presenter: Amanda Guiraldelli, Ph.D. (Scientific Affairs Manager, U.S. Pharmacopoeia)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Amanda Guiraldelli has been with USP since 2012 and holds the position of scientific affairs manager and principle scientist in the compendial science group-general chapters. She also serves as scientific liaison for the USP Measurement and Data Quality Expert Committee, where she works to develop and revise USP standards related to analytical procedure lifecycle/validation. Previously, Amanda worked as senior scientist at the USP reference standard laboratory for 8 years with characterization of compendial standards. She is visiting professor at the Institute of Chemistry at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil and is a frequent speaker and instructor on topics related to analytical procedure life cycle, Analytical Quality by Design (AQbD) and Chromatography. Amanda is specialist in mass spectrometry, chromatography, omics and chemometrics and has more than 15 years of experience in pharmaceutical R&amp;D areas. Prior to joining USP, she was R&amp;D scientist in a brazilian pharmaceutical industry and visiting scientist at TU Berlin in Germany and Leiden University in Netherlands (Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics) working on proteins characterization by LC-HRMS and procedure development using UHPLC-HRMS. Amanda is graduated in pharmacy biochemistry and holds a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from the FCFRP - University of São Paulo (metabolomics by UHPLC-HRMS, GC-MS and 1H NMR and chemometrics).
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Richard Verseput (President, S-Matrix)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Richard Verseput has over 30 years of experience applying QbD tools and methods in multiple industries. For the last 18 years he has worked with analytical instrument manufacturers, regulatory agencies, and global pharma customers to develop and advance automated QbD experimentation. Richard Verseput is currently president of S-Matrix – the developer of Fusion QbD® – a regulatory compliance supporting software platform which automates QbD experimentation, peak tracking, and chromatography data modeling for the successful development, validation, and transfer of LC and LC-MS methods.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Moderated by: Isabelle Vu Trieu (Pharmaceutical Market Development Manager, Americas, Waters Corporation)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Isabelle is a business development professional dedicated to delivering benefits to analytical scientists in the life sciences industry. With over 20 years of experience in providing chromatography and mass spectrometry solutions, Isabelle is particularly interested in helping pharmaceutical scientists achieve the data quality and integrity needed to drive decisions for drug quality, safety and efficacy. Isabelle joined Waters in 2009 and currently manages the development of the pharmaceutical market in the Americas. She holds Masters’ degrees in Chemistry from Columbia University and the University Claude Bernard in Lyon, France as well as a Chemical Engineering degree from Ecole Supérieure de Chimie Physique Electronique in Lyon, France.
</blockquote>

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

Enhanced Method Development

Solving Problems That Matter - a Waters webinar series featuring USP speakers. Episode 3: Enhanced Method Development.

<h4>Live Interactive Web Series</h4>
We’ll work through a topic of the week (roughly 60 minutes) and discuss any questions that come up along the way. During these sessions, we’ll talk about how to care for your SEC-MALS or FFF-MALS system, help you brush up on your ASTRA and DYNAMICS data processing, discuss measuring dn/dc values and why dn/dc is important, and see how stable RI baselines are achievable.
Working with polydisperse samples? We’ll see how to leverage ASTRA’s distribution analysis and results fitting features. Special topics on error analysis, batch MALS work, and more.
The live interactive web series are 100% live sessions, with anonymous Q&amp;A welcome during and after the discussion. Free for all to attend.
<ul>
<li>Part 1 of 6: Why we love Multi-Angle Light Scattering! How MALS works and what it measures. Modes of operation and when to use them*
<ul>
<li>MALS theory and operating principles</li>
<li>Batch MALS vs. flow mode MALS: when and why</li>
<li>What MALS can and cannot measure directly</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Part 2 of 6: Getting to know your MALS hardware, including ‘proper care &amp; feeding’ of the system, practical guides for optimizing data quality, and how to know when your DAWN hardware needs special attention*
<ul>
<li>Understanding the MALS hardware internal and external components</li>
<li>Diagnosing hardware issues</li>
<li>How to help your MALS operate at its best</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Part 3 of 6: Let it flow - Leveraging MALS with Size Exclusion Chromatography SEC / Gel Permeation Chromatography GPC. Considerations for successful SEC-MALS / GPC-MALS operation. How to process ASTRA data on and after day 1*
<ul>
<li>Practical considerations for MALS in SEC/GPC mode</li>
<li>Understanding system settings &amp; coefficients such as inter-detector band broadening and normalization</li>
<li>Squeezing the most information from your SEC-MALS data</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Part 4 of 6: Advanced topics in ASTRA data analysis - uncertainty calculations, MW averages, mass recovery, distribution analysis, results fitting, and data exporting*
<ul>
<li>Understanding the ways ASTRA tracks and calculates system errors</li>
<li>Leveraging peak integration to understand what’s in your sample</li>
<li>When and why to use the various MW averages: Mn, Mw, Mz, Mp, Mavg, Mv, etc.</li>
<li>Efficient and easy ways to export exactly the data and results you want, right out of ASTRA</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Part 5 of 6: All about dn/dc values and concentration detectors (UV and RI) for MALS*
<ul>
<li>Understanding dn/dc, what it is, and how it is used with MALS</li>
<li>Measuring / determining dn/dc for your samples</li>
<li>UV detectors and their role in MALS</li>
<li>Mass recovery in ASTRA</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Part 6 of 6: MALS flow cell care: diagnosing and cleaning your flow cell*
<ul>
<li>How to avoid the need to clean your MALS flow cell in the first place</li>
<li>How to diagnose a dirty MALS flow cell</li>
<li>How to take apart and clean your MALS flow cell</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
*It is recommended but not required that you attend all the sessions in this series.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr. Andy Meyer
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Dr. Andy Meyer joined Wyatt Technology in 2001, serving for several years as an Applications Scientist, then as Dean of Wyatt&#39;s &quot;Light Scattering University&quot; and as Director of Customer Service &amp; Support. After managing multiple regions in North America, Dr. Meyer is now a Senior Application Scientist for Wyatt. As a Wyatt customer, he completed his Ph.D. in Applied Science – Polymer Chemistry from the College of William and Mary in Virginia.
</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: All about dn/dc values and concentration detectors (UV and RI) for MALS

All about dn/dc values and concentration detectors (UV and RI) for MALS

All about dn/dc values and concentration detectors for MALS

<h4>Live Interactive Web Series</h4>
We’ll work through a topic of the week (roughly 60 minutes) and discuss any questions that come up along the way. During these sessions, we’ll talk about how to care for your SEC-MALS or FFF-MALS system, help you brush up on your ASTRA and DYNAMICS data processing, discuss measuring dn/dc values and why dn/dc is important, and see how stable RI baselines are achievable.
Working with polydisperse samples? We’ll see how to leverage ASTRA’s distribution analysis and results fitting features. Special topics on error analysis, batch MALS work, and more.
The live interactive web series are 100% live sessions, with anonymous Q&amp;A welcome during and after the discussion. Free for all to attend.
<ul>
<li>Part 1 of 6: Why we love Multi-Angle Light Scattering! How MALS works and what it measures. Modes of operation and when to use them*
<ul>
<li>MALS theory and operating principles</li>
<li>Batch MALS vs. flow mode MALS: when and why</li>
<li>What MALS can and cannot measure directly</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Part 2 of 6: Getting to know your MALS hardware, including ‘proper care &amp; feeding’ of the system, practical guides for optimizing data quality, and how to know when your DAWN hardware needs special attention*
<ul>
<li>Understanding the MALS hardware internal and external components</li>
<li>Diagnosing hardware issues</li>
<li>How to help your MALS operate at its best</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Part 3 of 6: Let it flow - Leveraging MALS with Size Exclusion Chromatography SEC / Gel Permeation Chromatography GPC. Considerations for successful SEC-MALS / GPC-MALS operation. How to process ASTRA data on and after day 1*
<ul>
<li>Practical considerations for MALS in SEC/GPC mode</li>
<li>Understanding system settings &amp; coefficients such as inter-detector band broadening and normalization</li>
<li>Squeezing the most information from your SEC-MALS data</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Part 4 of 6: Advanced topics in ASTRA data analysis - uncertainty calculations, MW averages, mass recovery, distribution analysis, results fitting, and data exporting*
<ul>
<li>Understanding the ways ASTRA tracks and calculates system errors</li>
<li>Leveraging peak integration to understand what’s in your sample</li>
<li>When and why to use the various MW averages: Mn, Mw, Mz, Mp, Mavg, Mv, etc.</li>
<li>Efficient and easy ways to export exactly the data and results you want, right out of ASTRA</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Part 5 of 6: All about dn/dc values and concentration detectors (UV and RI) for MALS*
<ul>
<li>Understanding dn/dc, what it is, and how it is used with MALS</li>
<li>Measuring / determining dn/dc for your samples</li>
<li>UV detectors and their role in MALS</li>
<li>Mass recovery in ASTRA</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Part 6 of 6: MALS flow cell care: diagnosing and cleaning your flow cell*
<ul>
<li>How to avoid the need to clean your MALS flow cell in the first place</li>
<li>How to diagnose a dirty MALS flow cell</li>
<li>How to take apart and clean your MALS flow cell</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
*It is recommended but not required that you attend all the sessions in this series.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr. Andy Meyer
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Dr. Andy Meyer joined Wyatt Technology in 2001, serving for several years as an Applications Scientist, then as Dean of Wyatt&#39;s &quot;Light Scattering University&quot; and as Director of Customer Service &amp; Support. After managing multiple regions in North America, Dr. Meyer is now a Senior Application Scientist for Wyatt. As a Wyatt customer, he completed his Ph.D. in Applied Science – Polymer Chemistry from the College of William and Mary in Virginia.
</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: MALS flow cell care: diagnosing and cleaning your flow cell

MALS flow cell care: diagnosing and cleaning your flow cell

MALS flow cell care: diagnosing and cleaning your flow cell.

Focus LC: A New Paradigm with Proven Results
Lab sustainability while reducing the time, cost and complexity of HPLC testing. 
Join CEO Greg Ward to learn first-hand how Axcend customers are reducing the time, cost and complexity of their analytical research.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Greg Ward (CEO Axcend)
</blockquote>

Axcend: A New HPLC Paradigm with Proven Results

A New HPLC Paradigm with Proven Results

Lab sustainability while reducing the time, cost and complexity of HPLC testing. 

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 veracity and minimizing resource wastage.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr. André Matagne (Full Professor at the University of Liège, Belgium)
</blockquote>

Waters: 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.

Quality control of purified proteins

The science of elemental speciation is rapidly gaining traction, underscoring its critical role in safeguarding public health and ensuring regulatory compliance in food safety. Elemental speciation involves the precise identification and quantification of different chemical forms of elements within food substances, a practice that has profound implications for understanding the nutritional value, toxicity, and bioavailability of elements in our diet. As global food regulations evolve and consumer awareness heightens, the demand for rigorous and sophisticated analytical approaches in food testing has never been more acute.
This webinar is structured across two segments, each designed to provide an in-depth perspective on the multifaceted dimensions of food speciation analysis.
What You&#39;ll Learn:
<ul>
<li>An in-depth understanding of the current regulatory framework surrounding food speciation and its implications for the food industry.</li>
<li>The emerging challenges in food sample speciation and the comprehensive strategies developed to tackle these issues effectively.</li>
<li>A thorough exploration of Agilent&#39;s technological advancements, focusing on how HPLC and ICP-MS systems are being leveraged to set new standards in food safety analysis.</li>
<li>Insightful case studies highlighting real-world applications of advanced speciation techniques and their impact on ensuring food safety and regulatory compliance.</li>
</ul>
Who Should Attend:
<ul>
<li>Food Scientists and Technologists keen on updating their knowledge on the latest trends and technologies in food speciation.</li>
<li>Regulatory Affairs Specialists looking for a clearer understanding of current and upcoming regulatory requirements.</li>
<li>Quality Assurance and Quality Control Personnel aspiring to enhance their methodologies and compliance strategies in food safety.</li>
<li>Laboratory Managers and Analysts seeking to advance their technical skills and analytical capabilities in food testing.</li>
<li>Research Scientists and Academics aiming to deepen their research and teaching in the domain of food safety and analysis.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Ms. Jyoti Sindhu (Assistant Director - Lab and Business Unit Manager, Eurofins Analytical Services India Pvt. Ltd.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Ms. Jyoti brings over 17 years of expertise in food safety, contaminants analysis, and quality assurance. Holding an M.Sc. in Food Technology, she has a robust background in elemental analysis, underpinning her commitment to ensuring food safety and managing contaminants through rigorous quality testing. Her skills extend beyond the laboratory, encompassing global client management, regulatory compliance, and a thorough understanding of ISO 17025:2017 standards. Currently, she is making significant contributions to the field as the Business Unit Head for Eurofins Analytical Services India, located in Bangalore, India.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr. Vinay Jain (Food Workflows Commercialization Lead, Agilent Technologies International Pvt. Ltd.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Dr. Vinay Jain is working as the CoE Manager and Country Food Workflow Commercialization Lead at Agilent Technologies International. He holds a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry and has more than 33 years of analytical and research experience in spectroscopic and mass spectrometry techniques. His specialization includes the development and validation of new analytical methods in accordance with regulatory guidelines. He has completed over 28 research projects with various national and international research and regulatory organizations. He holds two patents, has published 59 research papers, contributed two chapters to international handbooks, and authored 15 Agilent application notes. He received the Agilent TechInnovation Award in 2020 and 2022 for providing end-to-end workflow solutions. One of his innovations on LC-ICPMS was selected for the Winter Plasma Conference, and two were selected for the European Winter Plasma Conference for poster presentations.
</blockquote>

Agilent: Enhancing Food Safety through Advanced Speciation Analysis

Enhancing Food Safety through Advanced Speciation Analysis

This webinar provides an in-depth perspective on the multifaceted dimensions of food speciation analysis.

Light scattering techniques deliver multi-attribute quantification (MAQ) of mRNA and lipid nanoparticle-formulated mRNA and can play a key role in product and process development as well as quality control of mRNA-LNP therapeutics. Specifically, multi-angle light scattering (MALS) coupled to separation by field-flow fractionation (FFF) or size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) provides high-resolution quantification of several mRNA and LNP attributes including size distribution, physical stability, LNP number concentration, morphology, and mRNA and lipid concentration.
The method can also be applied to evaluate how these attributes are affected by preparation, formulation, and storage conditions. In addition to high-resolution MAQ by SEC/FFF-MALS, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and electrophoretic light scattering (ELS) can be used for rapid, automatable batch measurements of particle size and concentration, polydispersity, and zeta potential, enabling rapid screening of the impact of different ions, ionic strength, pH, temperature and other parameters on the biophysical properties and stability of mRNA and LNP-mRNA.
Learning Objectives:
<ul>
<li>How to bring multi-attribute quantification to LNP and mRNA characterization
</li>
<li>Considerations for technology selection for LNP and mRNA
</li>
<li>What rapid screening light scattering techniques exists today for LNP and mRNA formulation optimization
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Martin Kurnik, Ph.D. (Application Scientist, Analytical Sciences, Waters/Wyatt Technology)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Martin Kurnik joined the Analytical Sciences team at Waters | Wyatt Technology in 2021, where he helps customers identify and develop the best solutions for their analytical needs. As an application scientist, Martin leverages 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.
</blockquote>

Waters: Light scattering solutions for multi-attribute quantification of mRNA-lipid nanoparticle therapeutics

Light scattering solutions for multi-attribute quantification of mRNA-lipid nanoparticle therapeutics

Light scattering techniques enhance LNP and mRNA characterization by quantifying attributes. Consider technology selection and explore rapid screening methods.

Light scattering techniques enhance mRNA quantification

Christian Rohrer, Director Sales and Marketing at Tosoh Bioscience GmbH, will present the next edition of Tosoh Tuesday, a webinar series held by Chromatography Experts.
On Tuesday, April 16, Corey Meadows, Product Specialist Bioanalysis at Tosoh Bioscience, dives into the analysis of antibody-drug conjugates and their drug-antibody ratio by hydrophobic interaction chromatography.
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are dual-action cancer biotherapeutics, where monoclonal antibodies carrying tumor-killing payloads specifically bind to cancer cells and accelerate cancer cell death. Characterizing the ratio of tumor-killing payload to cancer-binding antibody (DAR) is a critical quality attribute needed to determine the potential potency of a given ADC candidate. This webinar features HIC as a solution for quantifying DARs in ADC biotherapeutics. An overview of ADC and HIC fundamentals will be presented, targeting analytical method development scientists seeking insights for mobile-phase and stationary-phase selections for separating variable conjugated ADC variants.
After the webinar, ask your questions during the live Q&amp;A session. 
<blockquote>
Presenter: Christian Rohrer (Director Sales and Marketing at Tosoh Bioscience GmbH)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Corey Meadows (Product Specialist Bioanalysis at Tosoh Bioscience)
</blockquote>

Tosoh Bioscience: Tosoh Tuesday - Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography as a Platform for Characterizing ADCs

Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography as a Platform for Characterizing ADCs

Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography as a Platform for Characterizing Antbody-Drug Conjugates

HIC for Characterizing ADCs

As health-conscious consumers seek beverages that blend well-being and taste, functional beverages have emerged as a compelling choice. These specialized drinks are meticulously formulated to deliver targeted health benefits, often leveraging bioactive compounds like vitamins, antioxidants, and natural products. Moreover, the inclusion of natural sweeteners such as stevia not only enriches flavor but also augments nutritional value, making delicious and healthier products possible.
However, the dynamic landscape of the functional beverage sector presents a series of analytical challenges for manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and testing laboratories. Ensuring product quality and regulatory compliance demands precise, reliable detection and quantification of key components such as vitamin B complexes and steviol glycosides. While traditional analytical methods have enabled market innovation and grow, modern liquid chromatography technologies can reduce time-to-result and increase measurement accuracy in complex samples. These analytical advancements can reduce cost, speed up product release, and strengthen consumer trust.
Join us for an insightful and engaging webinar to explore how Waters HPLC innovations can revolutionize your functional beverage analysis, ensuring your products stand out in a competitive market. Here’s what we’ll cover:
<ul>
<li>Vitamin B: We will navigate the complex landscape of B-group vitamins, addressing the potential adsorption issues due to their phosphate groups, which can adversely affect peak shapes and accuracy of chromatographic results. We understand the significance of precise product labeling, and we are dedicated to providing tools to help you meet in-house and regulatory standards.
</li>
<li>Steviol Glycosides: With guidance from the latest FAO/WHO JECFA Monograph 26 (2021), we are thrilled to present our improvement in the analysis of steviol glycosides. Our recent work has led to improved chromatographic resolution, paving the way for dependable quantification and adherence to regulatory benchmarks.
</li>
<li>MaxPeak High Performance Surfaces (HPS) Technology: Learn how our cutting-edge separation science technology helps to mitigate issues due to metal interactions and improve chromatography for various food applications.
</li>
</ul>
Whether you are developing new beverages or ensuring the quality of your current products, this session will provide you with the strategies and technologies to thrive in a dynamic and competitive market. Engage with our experts, participate in our live Q&amp;A, and take the first step towards overcoming your analytical challenges.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Jinchuan Yang, PhD (Principal Scientist, QA/QC, Waters Corporation)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Dr. Jinchuan Yang is a Principal Scientist Waters Corporation, and a subject matter expert in food and environmental applications, polymer chromatography, and LC and MS technologies. Since he joined Waters in 2002, his roles at Waters have mainly focused on application development, market development, and support for R&amp;D and training. He is an active participant in technical stakeholder groups at AOAC International and USP, serving as an expert panel member in AOAC SPIFAN and participating in review, recommendation and muti-lab testing of AOAC methods.
</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: Functional Beverages – Leveraging Analytical Innovations to Overcome Chromatographic Challenges

Functional Beverages – Leveraging Analytical Innovations to Overcome Chromatographic Challenges

Discover how Waters HPLC innovations can transform your functional beverage analysis, setting your products apart in a competitive market.

LCMS webinars focusing on HPLC - page 25