<h3><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.isc2026.org/">ISC 2026</a></h3>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.The major focus of the symposium will be on the impact of chromatography and separation science to meet the needs of the pharmaceutical, environmental, food and health industry, as well as science and medicine. The symposium programme will reflect these themes and highlight new challenges and emerging opportunities for the science and marketing of separation and detection systems and methods.As an integral part of the scientific programme of lectures and poster sessions, an international exhibition and vendor seminars on instrumentation and services for chromatography, separation science and mass spectrometry will be organised. ISC 2026 will provide the perfect forum for attendees from academia, industry and government research institutions for scientific exchange and networking.<h3>ISC 2026 SYMPOSIUM KEY DATES</h3><h4>6-10 SEPTEMBER 2026</h4><ul><li>15 January 2026: Opening of Early-bird Registration &amp; Abstract submission</li><li>11 March 2026: Deadline for abstract submission (orals)</li><li>21 April 2026: Sending acceptance letters (orals)</li><li>15 May 2026: Deadline of early-bird registration and payment &amp; Author registration deadline (orals)</li><li>1 June 2026: Preliminary detailed program on web</li><li>1 June 2026: Deadline for abstract submission (posters)</li><li>16 June 2026: Sending acceptance letters (posters)<ul><li>Authors who submit their abstracts with a poster preference by 5 May 2026 will be notified of the outcome by 12 May 2026 and will have the opportunity to register at the early-bird rate until 15 May 2026.</li></ul></li><li>30 June 2026: Author registration deadline (posters)</li><li>30 July 2026: Deadline for abstract submission (late-breaking posters)<ul><li>without the possibility of competing for the Best Poster Award</li></ul></li><li>11 August 2026: Sending acceptance letters (late-breaking posters)</li><li>18 August 2026: Author registration deadline (late-breaking posters)</li><li>25 August 2026: Deadline for late registration &amp; payment&nbsp;</li><li>6-10 September 2026: Symposium</li></ul><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></blockquote><h3>ABSTRACT SUBMISSION</h3><blockquote>👉<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.czech-in.org/cmPortalV15/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2FcmPortalV15%2FPortal%2FISC26%2Fnormal">Submit your Abstract HERE</a></blockquote><h3>SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM</h3><h4>SHORT COURSES</h4><h5>SC 3 Interpretation of Mass Spectra: Basic Introduction for Chromatographers</h5>🗓️ SUNDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 2026🕗 8:30 – 11:45Mass spectrometry has become an essential tool in modern liquid chromatography, yet many chromatographers receive limited formal training in mass-spectral interpretation. This introductory short course provides a practical guide to understanding and interpreting mass spectra generated by the atmospheric-pressure ionization techniques coupled with LC: electrospray ionization (ESI), atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization (APCI), and atmospheric-pressure photoionization (APPI). The course begins by outlining the information that mass spectrometry adds beyond a chromatogram and clarifying which analytical questions mass spectrometry can – and cannot – answer. Participants receive a concise refresher on mass-spectrometric fundamentals, along with an introduction to key terminology. The principles and practical consequences of ionization methods are then discussed, with emphasis on how ionization physics, LC conditions, and mobile-phase additives shape spectral appearance. Building on this foundation, the course develops practical skills for interpreting LC-ESI spectra: locating the molecular ion, determining charge state, recognizing common adducts, distinguishing in-source artefacts, and using isotope patterns to support elemental-composition hypotheses. Participants then explore how MS/MS fragmentation provides structural clues, with straightforward rules of thumb for neutral losses and class-specific fragmentation behaviors. The course concludes with an integrative exercise that synthesizes chromatographic, full-scan, and MS/MS information to support spectral interpretation. By the end, participants will be equipped with the essential skills needed to interpret LC-MS spectra effectively and to apply mass-spectrometric reasoning in routine chromatographic analysis.&nbsp;<h4>Lecturers</h4><h5>Josef Cvačka</h5><ul><li>Josef Cvačka is head of the Mass Spectrometry Group at the Institute of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/companies/62">Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences</a> and an associate professor at the Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague. His research focuses on the structural analysis of bioactive organic compounds using advanced mass-spectrometric techniques. He develops methods for pinpointing double-bond and methyl-branching positions in lipids and aims to discover new lipid classes in biological samples. His laboratory also designs new ion sources for MS and HPLC/MS. He teaches and supervises students at Charles University and founded the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/articles?search=Czech+Museum+of+Mass+Spectrometry">Czech Museum of Mass Spectrometry</a>.</li></ul><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Josef_Cvacka_5cc8a0d1d4.jpg" alt="ISC 2026: Josef Cvačka" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Josef_Cvacka_5cc8a0d1d4.jpg 156w," sizes="100vw" width="510" height="510">

ISC 2026 Short Course 3 - Interpretation of Mass Spectra: Basic Introduction for Chromatographers

<div>Mulching films used in agriculture gradually break down and can become a significant source of microplastics in soils. A new study shows that these particles affect not only soil structure but also microbial life and nitrogen cycling.“We wanted to understand how microplastics from both conventional and biodegradable mulching films influence soil properties, microbial diversity and functions in real conditions,” explains Klára Šmídová, the study’s co-author . “That’s why we added realistic amounts of microplastics to soils in experimental plots in Finland, Germany, and Spain, monitored them over two growing seasons, and compared them with the control plots.”The results revealed that microplastics alter soil characteristics and microbial communities, although not always in the same way. “ However, a consistent finding was the decline in microbial activity associated with key processes, including nitrogen cycling, with negative effects increasing at higher microplastic concentrations and becoming more pronounced in the second year,” Šmídová adds. Because the microplastic levels used in the study reflect amounts already found in European soils, the findings highlight real risks to soil health. “We also found that the effects were stronger in southern than in northern Europe, likely due to differences in climate and soil conditions. This means that protecting soils from plastic pollution will require region-specific risk assessments,” she says.Over 60% of European soils are estimated to be unhealthy, with ongoing degradation driven by unsustainable land use, contamination, climate change, and extreme weather events. In response, the EU Parliament adopted the Soil Monitoring Law in October 2025, aiming to achieve healthy soils across Europe by 2050. “The law highlights the role of soil health in food security, water quality, and climate objectives, and establishes consistent soil monitoring across Member States. It includes measures to support farmers and foresters, while also creating a public list of potentially contaminated sites and an indicative watch list of emerging soil contaminants,” explains Klára Šmídová.The project brought together 19 research groups across Europe. “After each season, hundreds of samples were colle cted and sent to partners for analysis. This paper focuses on soil properties, microbial diversity, and greenhouse gas emissions. Two more manuscripts—on plastic additives and microplastic fate, and on soil invertebrates—are in preparation. Together, they will give us a complete picture of how agricultural microplastics affect soil ecosystems,” concludes Klára Šmídová.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/RECETOX_Vysledky_nove_studie_ukazaly_ze_mikroplasty_meni_vlastnosti_pudy_a_mikrobialni_spolecenstva_i_v_realnych_podminkach_6ee3413a7b.jpg" alt="RECETOX: New Study Reveals How Agricultural Plastics Impact Soil Health In Real Conditions" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_RECETOX_Vysledky_nove_studie_ukazaly_ze_mikroplasty_meni_vlastnosti_pudy_a_mikrobialni_spolecenstva_i_v_realnych_podminkach_6ee3413a7b.jpg 171w," sizes="100vw" width="738" height="674"><blockquote><h4>The Original article</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749125015866?via%3Dihub#sec2">Conventional and biodegradable agricultural microplastics: effects on soil properties and microbial functions across a European pedoclimatic gradient</a></h4>Šmídová K., Soinne H., Kim S. W., Tirronniemi J., Meffe R., Redondo-Hasselerharm P. E., Braun M., Rillig M. C., Fritze H., Adamczyk B., Nikama J., Kaseva J., Saartama V., Amelung W., Hurley R., Hofman J., Nizzetto L., Selonen S., Velmala S.Environ. Pollut. 386 (2025) 127212<a href="DOI:%2010.1016/j.envpol.2025.127212">DOI:&nbsp;10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127212</a><h6>licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC-BY 4.0</a></h6></blockquote><h4>Abstract</h4><div>Agricultural plastics like mulching films may become a major source of microplastic (MP) soil contamination during their degradation and fragmentation. This study investigates the effects of agricultural MPs from conventional (linear low-density polyethylene, PE) and biodegradable (starch-blended polybutylene adipate co-terephthalate, PBAT-BD) mulching films on soil physicochemical properties, aggregation, microbial diversity and functions, litter decomposition, and greenhouse gases emissions (GHG). For this purpose, MPs were mixed into soils at realistic MP concentrations of 0.005&nbsp;% and 0.05&nbsp;% (w/w) in 2022 on experimental plots in three EU countries representing different pedoclimatic conditions (Finland, Germany and Spain), followed by monitoring of the above-mentioned variables in the subsequent growing seasons 2022 and 2023. We found several significant MP-induced effects for soil properties, aggregation, microbial diversity, litter decomposition, and GHG, but the effect endpoints were less pronounced or varied considerably. Contrarily, microbial activity, contributing to soil functions such as nitrogen cycling, was consistently reduced by both conventional and biodegradable MPs. The reductions were more pronounced after the second season and for the higher MP treatment. As the higher MP concentration (i.e., 0.05&nbsp;% w/w) is environmentally relevant in Europe, our findings emphasize the potential effects of environmentally relevant MP concentrations on soil health. Furthermore, the effects increased from north to south, probably modulated by varying pedoclimatic conditions, inducing reflection of a need for regionally tailored risk</div></div>

New Study Reveals How Agricultural Plastics Impact Soil Health In Real Conditions

News from LabRulezLCMS Library - Week 07, 2026

Article

Events

Application

Plastics

Environment

Poster

RECETOX (Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment) is an independent department of the Faculty of Science of Masaryk University in Brno, which has been established in 1983. RECETOX is focused on the research and education in cross-cutting area of Environment and Health. It addresses interactions among chemicals, environment, and biological systems, including consequences at local, regional, and global levels.

RECETOX - Centrum pro výzkum toxických látek v prostředí

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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)

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<h4>Online HPLC Analysis Enabled by DirectInject-LC</h4>Join us for the first DirectInject-LC Virtual User Forum, a unique opportunity to connect with industry peers and share insights into the application of this advanced technology in chemical process development. This event will deepen your understanding of how online HPLC analysis enabled by DirectInject-LC is being used to streamline development workflows with real-time reaction monitoring and insight.<h5>Event Program</h5><ul><li>User Case Studies: Hear directly from users at AstraZeneca, Genentech, and Takeda about how they have implemented DirectInject-LC into their workflow</li><li>Practical Tips and Techniques: Discover strategies and best practices from peers and technical experts</li><li>Q&amp;A with Users and Experts: Ask questions and engage with the user community and technology and application experts from Telescope Innovations and METTLER TOLEDO</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Ángel Luis Mudarra Alonso (Mechanistic Chemist - Senior Scientist, AstraZeneca)Ángel is a Senior Scientist at AstraZeneca in Macclesfield, UK, where he has been contributing for nearly two years by applying modeling and mechanistic understanding to process design. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at RWTH Aachen University in Germany in the group of Prof. Franziska Schoenebeck. Ángel earned his PhD at the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) in Spain under the supervision of Prof. Feliu Maseras Cuni and Dr. Mónica Pérez Temprano. Throughout his career, he has combined experimental and theoretical approaches to advance the mechanistic understanding of chemical reactionsPresenter: Thomas Malig (Principal Scientist, Genentech)Tom is an analytical chemist who is passionate about studying reaction mechanisms using process analytical technology. His interests include chemical kinetics, catalysis, flow chemistry, and kinetic modeling.Presenter: Jason Hein (Director and CTO, Telescope Innovations)Jason Hein is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of British Columbia, an Adjunct Professor at the University of Bergen, Norway. Prof. Hein was the co-lead of Project ADA; the world's first autonomous discovery platform for thin film materials, supported by Natural Resources Canada, co-PI of the MADNESS team supported by the DARPA Accelerated Molecular Discovery Program and the UBC lead for the Acceleration Consortium CFREF spearheaded by the University of Toronto. Jason has also translated his passion for developing enabling technology by becoming the CEO and founder of Telescope Innovations; a chemical technology start-up creating AI-enabled automation solutions for process chemical development.Presenter: Andrew Kukor (Automation Scientist, Takeda)Andrew Kukor completed his PhD under Prof. Jason Hein in 2023, working with industry partners on a variety of crystallization projects and contributing to the development of Metter-Toledo’s EasyFrit. Armed with a knowledge of automation and process analytical technology, Andrew joined Takeda’s Synthetic Molecule Process Development department working on the Process Engineering &amp; Technology team as an Automation Scientist. He has since been helping support Takeda’s use of the DirectInject-LC, PAT, and learning the ins and outs of high throughput experimentation.</blockquote>

Mettler Toledo: DirectInject-LC Virtual User Forum

DirectInject-LC Virtual User Forum

Join the DirectInject-LC Virtual User Forum to explore real-time HPLC process monitoring, user case studies, and best practices from industry leaders.

Separation of highly polar compounds such as pharmaceuticals, metabolites, and biomarkers can be challenging using traditional reversed-phase methods on regular C18 columns.&nbsp;In this webinar, we will discuss available alternatives such as:<ul><li>Ion-pairing reversed-phase chromatography.</li><li>Use of polar-bonded phases or polar-modified columns</li><li>Alternative modes of separation, such as HILIC and Ligand Exchange chromatography.</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Golnar Javadi (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)Golnar Javadi is an applications engineer providing online applications assistance and technical support for LC columns and supplies, Sample Preparation products, and Spectroscopy supplies.Before joining Varian and then Agilent, Golnar worked in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries on method development and quality control. She also taught college level chemistry courses for a few years.Golnar then joined Varian as a technical support specialist, providing customers with method development assistance and technical support on Sample Preparation (SPE, SLE, and Filtration), HPLC, GC, ToxiLab and DAT. After the Varian-Agilent merger, Golnar joined Agilent Technologies as an Applications Engineer. She provides technical support to customers on Sample Preparation products, Liquid Chromatography columns, and Spectroscopy supplies.</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Dealing With Polar Analytes – What Are the Options?

Dealing With Polar Analytes – What Are the Options?

Discover how to separate highly polar analytes using ion-pairing RP, polar-modified phases, HILIC, and ligand-exchange chromatography beyond traditional C18.

Dealing With Polar Analytes

As regulatory scrutiny around PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) continues to intensify, laboratories face growing challenges in achieving accurate, low-level detection. Analytical methods have become more sensitive and complex, while regulators demand consistent, defensible data to guide environmental and public health policies. This expert-led roundtable explores the historical evolution of PFAS methods—from early protocols to current EPA 1633 and ASTM standards—and their impact on today’s testing environment.We examine the regulatory trends shaping method adoption, the technical barriers labs must overcome (such as background contamination and instrument sensitivity), and how purpose-designed solutions—PFAS low background consumables—are essential for ensuring data integrity. As PFAS contamination can originate from the very materials used in sample collection and analysis, using certified low-background consumables has become a critical step in achieving reliable results.The discussion also highlights real-world laboratory solutions, including platforms from SCIEX and others, and explores future innovations in sample preparation—for example, solid phase extraction (SPE)—and MS platform enhancements. Whether you're responsible for PFAS method development, compliance, or lab operations, this session will provide the practical and strategic insights needed to stay ahead in a rapidly shifting regulatory and analytical landscape.<h4>Key Learning Points</h4><ul><li>Understand the evolution of PFAS analytical methods.</li><li>Navigate the current regulatory landscape.</li><li>Solve real-world analytical challenges.</li></ul><h4>Who Should Attend</h4><ul><li>Analysts from environmental testing laboratories facing PFAS method validation or implementation.</li><li>Regulatory stakeholders seeking to understand lab capabilities and constraints.</li><li>Chemical analyst and researchers interested in designing sampling and treatment protocols.</li><li>Academics and researchers working on PFAS analysis or environmental toxicology.</li></ul><blockquote>Speaker: Sam Lodge (Environmental Senior Business Development Manager, Phenomenex)Sam Lodge is the Phenomenex Senior Business Development Manager for the Environmental industry. He has been at Phenomenex for over 30 years in various positions, including Key Account Manager and Senior International Sales Manager, and is a product expert in SPE and HPLC chemistries. Over the past 8 years, he has worked extensively with commercial and government labs in the development and support of PFAS analytical methods, including the validation of EPA 533, the MLV for DM 1633, and many internal (MOD) methods. Sam was instrumental in the collaborations that led to the development of several new SPE formats for PFAS, including several different stacked tubes and pass-through GCB cartridges that can help commercial labs to increase productivity and reduce costs. In his spare time, Sam enjoys fishing and surfing (but not at the same time!)Speaker: Dr. Karl Oetjen (Market Development Manager for Environmental, Industrial, Food &amp; Beverage, SCIEX)Karl Oetjen is a Market Development Manager for Environmental, Industrial, Food &amp; Beverage at SCIEX and has over 10 years of mass spectrometry experience. Before joining SCIEX, he completed his PhD at Colorado School of Mines (Golden, Colorado) in Hydrologic Science and Engineering. Karl’s dissertation research focused on nontarget characterization of complex surfactant mixtures, including aqueous film-forming foams. This work led to the discovery of several novel per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) that have since been found in a variety of environmental samples and industrial chemicals. Since joining SCIEX, Karl has worked with numerous labs creating and implementing both regulated and unregulated quantitative and qualitative screening methods.Speaker: Simon Roberts (Staff Scientist, SCIEX)Simon Roberts is a Staff Scientist at SCIEX and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Colorado School of Mines, where he worked with Dr. Christopher Higgins and Dr. Jennifer Field to identify novel classes of PFAS chemicals in aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs). At SCIEX, Simon specializes in method optimization and data reporting, helping labs across the country set up PFAS and other environmental analytical methods.</blockquote>

Phenomenex: The Future of PFAS Testing: Regulations, Innovation, and Contamination Mitigation

The Future of PFAS Testing: Regulations, Innovation, and Contamination Mitigation

This roundtable discussion highlights regulatory scrutiny and trends around PFAS  as well as real-world laboratory solutions.

PFAS Testing: Regulations, Innovation, Contamination

Environmental laboratories face increasing pressure to process complex matrices for both inorganic and organic contaminants with higher efficiency, lower cost, and full regulatory compliance. This four-part webinar series provides a comprehensive overview of modern sample preparation solutions for heavy metals, mercury, and organic pollutants, including PFAS.&nbsp;Through practical guidance and real-world examples, we will explore how advanced digestion, extraction, and direct analysis tools streamline workflows, minimize errors, and improve data quality. Participants will gain actionable strategies to enhance productivity and achieve more reliable environmental results across the entire sample-to-analysis journey.<h4>Episode 4: Sample preparation workflow for organic pollutants and PFAS in environmental samples</h4>Environmental laboratories must increasingly process samples for a wide range of organic contaminants, from legacy pollutants such as PAHs, PCBs, and pesticides to emerging compounds like PFAS, which require exceptional contamination control. This webinar presents a modern, integrated sample preparation workflow using Milestone’s ETHOS X extraction platform. Attendees will learn how advanced microwave extraction improves recoveries, reduces solvent use, and accelerates turnaround time across soils, sediments, and sludges. A dedicated focus on PFAS will provide best practices aligned with EPA 1633A to ensure consistency, low blanks, and regulatory compliance.<blockquote><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://share.hsforms.com/1b7diMdH_QtaH4bNUuW_T9Q5dmem">Register HERE</a></blockquote><blockquote>🎤Speaker: Luca Rota (Application Specialist, Milestone Srl)</blockquote>

Milestone: Environmental Sample Prep Series 2026

Sample preparation workflow for organic pollutants and PFAS in environmental samples

Discover efficient sample preparation workflows for organic pollutants and PFAS using microwave extraction.

Sample preparation workflow for organic pollutants and PFAS

<div><h4>Unlock the Secrets of Biosimilarity: Master SEC-MALS for Confident Comparability</h4>Assessing biosimilarity requires a robust suite of analytical tools that directly address the biophysical characterization parameters emphasized in the latest US FDA biosimilar guidance and ICH Q6B.Size-exclusion chromatography coupled with multi-angle light scattering (SEC-MALS) has emerged as a critical technique for defining molecular weight, aggregation, impurity profiles, and related quality attributes that underpin regulatory decision-making.&nbsp; In this webinar, we will discuss how SEC-MALS can be applied to key biosimilar comparability challenges, including quantifying molecular weight, aggregates and reversible aggregates, confirming identity, and measuring extinction coefficients.<h4>Why should you attend?</h4><ul><li>Get clarity on key biophysical characterization parameters outlined in ICH Q6B.&nbsp;</li><li>Understand how SEC-MALS addresses critical quality attributes (CQAs) for biosimilars and other biologic modalities.&nbsp;</li><li>Build confidence in light scattering fundamentals and their role in macromolecule characterization.&nbsp;</li></ul><h4>Who should attend?</h4><ul><li>This webinar is designed for you if you work on antibody or protein therapeutic characterization in discovery, development, quality control, or analytical services.</li></ul>Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your expertise and stay ahead in biosimilar development.Register now and secure your spot!<blockquote>Presenter: Bretton Fletcher, Ph.D. (Scientist, Waters | Wyatt Technology)Bretton Fletcher is an application scientist in the Analytical Sciences team at Waters | Wyatt Technology. He assists customers in identifying the best light scattering solutions for their analytical needs by leveraging her expertise in multi-angle light scattering. He performs feasibility studies to characterize customer samples and participates in Wyatt’s Light Scattering University. He completed his Ph.D. in Biomolecular Sciences and Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara.</blockquote></div>

Waters Corporation: Leveraging SEC-MALS for Regulatory-Aligned Biosimilarity Assessment

Leveraging SEC-MALS for Regulatory-Aligned Biosimilarity Assessment

Discover how SEC-MALS enables biosimilar comparability through precise molecular weight, aggregation, and CQA characterization aligned with FDA and ICH Q6B.

SEC-MALS for Regulatory-Aligned Biosimilarity Assessment

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are now recognized as one of the most pervasive classes of environmental contaminants worldwide. Found in water, soil, air, and consumer products, their chemical diversity is vast and regulatory scrutiny is intensifying. As governments move from managing individual compounds to regulating PFAS as a class, the question is no longer whether PFAS are present, but whether we are measuring them accurately and comprehensively.Current regulatory methods, such as EPA Method 1633, are robust and defensible for targeted compounds, but they only tell part of the story. Research increasingly shows that targeted PFAS testing can miss more than 80% of the total PFAS load in complex environmental and industrial samples. This gap creates significant blind spots, leaving analytical laboratories, manufacturers, and environmental compliance teams vulnerable to underestimating risk, mischaracterizing contamination, and falling behind emerging regulatory expectations.At the same time, global regulations are evolving faster than analytical standards. Requirements under EU REACH, expanding US EPA guidance, and international drinking water and waste regulations are pushing toward broader PFAS accountability, often without clear consensus on how total PFAS should be measured, validated, or reported. This mismatch between regulatory intent and analytical capability is at the heart of the PFAS measurement crisis.Join our expert roundtable discussion – held in partnership with Restek – to explore how next-generation analytical standards and Non-Targeted Analysis (NTA) approaches are helping to close the PFAS data gap, improve decision-making, and prepare organizations for the next phase of PFAS regulation.<h4>Key learning outcomes</h4><ul><li>Hidden contamination risks: why current PFAS monitoring techniques may overlook critical compounds and what is needed to close the data gap.</li><li>Analytical strategies: proven approaches to overcome complex matrix challenges and ensure results are scientifically and legally defensible.</li><li>Global regulatory landscape: Insights into evolving PFAS restrictions, including EU REACH, US EPA guidelines, and best practices for staying ahead of emerging compliance requirements.</li><li>International harmonization: The path toward global PFAS standards for effective environmental management and reporting.</li></ul><h4>Who should attend?</h4><ul><li>Laboratory managers and analytical chemists working with LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and other advanced techniques.</li><li>EHS (environmental, health, and safety) professionals and regulatory compliance officers managing PFAS risk.</li><li>Environmental consultants validating remediation technologies and destruction methods.</li></ul><h4>Certificate of attendance</h4>If you attend the live webinar, you will automatically receive a certificate of attendance, including a learning outcomes summary, for continuing education purposes. If you view the on-demand webinar, you can request a certificate of attendance by emailing editor@selectscience.net.<blockquote>Moderator: Lucy Lawrence (Science Editor, SelectScience)</blockquote>

SelectScience: The PFAS measurement crisis: A roundtable discussion

The PFAS measurement crisis: A roundtable discussion

Learn why targeted PFAS testing misses most compounds and how non-targeted analysis and new standards can improve PFAS measurement and regulatory readiness.

PFAS measurement crisis: A roundtable discussion

Developing highly multiplexed targeted quantitation methods for small molecules remains challenging, requiring optimized chromatographic separation and acquisition strategies to balance scale, sensitivity, and throughput. Traditional approaches often depend on extensive analytical standards or repeated injections for method optimization.The Thermo Scientific LC-MSⁿ workflow enables faster development of multiplexed targeted assays by leveraging the mzCloud mass spectral database to automate PRM data acquisition and processing using the Thermo Scientific Stellar Mass Spectrometer. Compared with SRM, this approach delivers up to 10× faster method creation and expands analyte coverage by 3–5× with improved sensitivity and confidence.In this webinar, we demonstrate the complete workflow using gut microbiome metabolite quantitation as a model system, covering more than 200 metabolites. We compare 15- and 5-minute LC gradients to showcase acquisition efficiency while highlighting gains achieved through microflow operation. The webinar also illustrates how this workflow can be extended to other complex targeted applications, including pesticides and industrial compounds, where analytical standards are often costly, limited in availability, or non-existent.<blockquote>Presenter: Wes Rogers (Product Management Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific)Wes is a Product Management Specialist at Thermo Fisher Scientific for the Stellar MS. Before this role, Wes spent the last 3 years as a LC-MS Field Application Scientist at Thermo Fisher Scientific, supporting customers on small and large molecules applications. Prior to joining Thermo Fisher Scientific, Wes spent the majority of his career in sports anti-doping at LGC.Presenter:&nbsp;Marynka Ulaszewska (Product Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific)Marynka is an analytical chemist with over twelve years of experience in the application of mass spectrometry for both quantitative and qualitative methods in food safety, clinical sciences, and environmental areas. She has dedicated her scientific career to biomarker discovery in human metabolomics, focusing on human nutrition, cardiovascular diseases, and the fascinating interplay between microbiome structure/function and the regulation of host physiology. Currently, she serves as the Product Manager for mzCloud and spectral libraries solutions.</blockquote>

Thermo Fisher Scientific: 4D performance gains for highly multiplexed gut microbiome metabolite quantification

4D performance gains for highly multiplexed gut microbiome metabolite quantification

LC-MSⁿ workflows using mzCloud and Stellar MS to rapidly build multiplexed targeted assays with higher sensitivity and expanded analyte coverage

4D performance for gut microbiome metabolite quantification

<div>Residual host cell DNA testing is a critical component of biotherapeutic quality control (QC), particularly as products advance through purification and into final dosage form.This webinar explores common misconceptions that can impact the accuracy, robustness, and regulatory compliance of residual DNA testing strategies. It reviews global regulatory expectations and outlines key criteria for selecting fit-for-purpose DNA quantitation methods.Emphasis is placed on the importance of effective sample preparation for measuring ultra-low DNA levels in complex matrices, as well as practical approaches for implementing reliable, validated workflows—from development through to routine QC—ensuring consistent, audit-ready performance.<h4>Attend this webinar to:</h4><ul><li>Explore the analytical challenges of residual DNA quantitation in purified bioprocess samples</li><li>Identify key technical criteria for selecting a fit-for-purpose residual DNA quantitation methods</li><li>Recognize the role of integrated workflows in achieving consistent, reproducible, and compliant residual DNA measurements</li><li>Understand the impact of sample preparation, DNA standards, and fragment size on quantitation accuracy</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Ilaria Scarfone, PhD (Senior Field Application Scientist, Thermo Fisher Scientific)Dr. Ilaria Scarfone is a field application specialist in Thermo Fisher Scientific's pharma analytics team, a role she has held since September 2019. She currently lives in Pisa and supports clients in South West Europe. Ilaria completed her PhD in industrial biotechnology at the University of Milan in collaboration with the Cell Biology Research Center of Montpellier and subsequently spent two years as a postdoctoral researcher at the Grenoble Atomic Energy Commission. In addition to her academic research background, Ilaria earned a master’s in business and administration from the Institut d'Administration des Entreprises in Montpellier in 2018, before joiningThermo Fisher Scientific as a technical specialist for the pharma analytics portfolio.&nbsp;</blockquote></div>

Technology Networks: Addressing Common Misconceptions in Residual Host Cell DNA Testing

Addressing Common Misconceptions in Residual Host Cell DNA Testing

Residual host cell DNA testing covering regulatory requirements, method selection, sample preparation, and robust workflows for compliant biotherapeutic QC.

Residual Host Cell DNA Testing

<div><h4>Advanced Analytics for Next‑Generation Protein Therapeutics</h4>Proteins like monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and protein conjugates promise higher efficacy and novel targets compared to traditional therapies. Given their biotherapeutic structural complexity, these molecules pose significant analytical challenges, with quality attributes like composition, aggregation, purity, and conformation affecting efficacy and toxicity.&nbsp;This webinar explores the comprehensive analysis of Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs) using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) and Liquid Chromatography-Multi-Angle Light Scattering (LC-MALS). &nbsp;<h5>The value you’ll get from attending</h5><ul><li>Discover methodologies for accurate pairing of technology and attribute across the product lifecycle&nbsp;</li><li>Learn about recent advances, with insights into adopting advanced analytics</li><li>Ensure novel and robust analytical capability for the analysis of bioconjugates&nbsp;</li></ul><h5>Who should attend?</h5>This webinar is designed for you if you are a scientist, lab manager, director, or analyst involved in protein development, process development, or quality control of AOCs, ADCs, or other protein therapeutics.Don't miss it!<blockquote>Presenter: Samantha Ippoliti (Principal Scientist, Biologics Business, Waters Corporation)Samantha (Sam) joined Waters (Milford, MA) in 2018 and has worked on a variety of applications for LC-MS based biopharmaceutical characterization, including peptide mapping &amp; intact/subunit analysis, and most recently antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs).Sam has experience with LC-MS analysis using BioAccord, Xevo series, Synapt XS, and Cyclic IMS LC-MS instruments.Prior to joining Waters, she was part of the LC-MS characterization group supporting a biopharmaceutical developability assessment group at Novartis in Cambridge, MA. Sam acquired a BS-MS in Chemistry from Northeastern University in 2012.Presenter: Nick Pittman (Sr. Marketing Manager, Global Biopharma Business, Waters Corporation)</blockquote></div>

From Raw Materials to Conjugation Sites: Advanced LC, MS and MALS Strategies for AOC Characterization and Monitoring

This webinar explores the comprehensive analysis of Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs) using LC-MS and LC-MALS.  

LC, MS and MALS for AOC Characterization and Monitoring

<div><h4>Join Our Experts from the USP and Waters on a live webinar!</h4>Discover the latest strategies for managing API impurities with insights from USP and Waters experts. Learn how USP approaches organic impurities in small molecules then explore how Waters modernizes impurity methods using advanced LC technologies combined with Empower Software. &nbsp;Don’t miss this opportunity to combine regulatory guidance with cutting-edge solutions that drive compliance and innovation.<h5>Key learning objectives</h5><ul><li>Understand impurity fundamentals and regulatory expectations: Gain a high-level overview of impurity definitions, classifications, and global guidelines for small molecule APIs.</li><li>Explore USP approaches to impurity analysis: Learn how USP Reference Standards (RS) and Potential Applicable Impurities (PAIs) support qualitative and quantitative assessments, illustrated through real-world case studies.</li><li>Discover modern tools for impurity method optimization: See how Waters’ LC technologies, column chemistries, and Empower™ software enable modernization of USP impurity methods with enhanced data intelligence and compliance.</li></ul><h5>Who should attend</h5>Pharmaceutical R&amp;D and QC laboratory staff, Contract research and manufacturing organizations (CROs/CMOs), Regulatory affairs professionals<blockquote>Presenter: Christian Zeine, Ph.D. (Sr Manager, Scientific Affairs, US Pharmacopeia)Christian joined USP in 2019 as Senior Manager in the Scientific Affairs Group for the EMEA region, with a focus on Small Molecules, USP’s General Chapters and Impurities. Christian collaborates with scientific experts and stakeholders and is responsible for protecting and growing USP’s scientific reputation in the region and globally. Before joining USP, Christian worked for seventeen years in the field of pharmaceutical reference standards with a focus on impurities, and before that in the IVD (In Vitro Diagnostic) industry. His scientific expertise includes impurity testing, reference standards characterization and adjacent fields. Christian has published several articles and white papers on topics such as impurities, overview of (certified) reference materials and the use of reference standards in method development and validation.Presenter: Stephanie N. Harden, Ph.D. (Senior Manager, Small Molecule Core Solutions – LC/MS, Waters Corporation)Stephanie Harden leads the Product Marketing and Scientific teams for Waters’ small molecule HPLC portfolio. With over 25 years of experience in product and segment marketing, she has a proven track record in strategic program development, cross-functional leadership, and market-driven innovation. Her work connects scientific insight with commercial strategy to drive customer-focused solutions and sustained business growth. Stephanie holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Bristol, UK.Moderated by: Samuel Seal (Biopharma Market Development Manager, Waters Corporation)Samuel Seal is a market development manager specializing in the biologics space. He loves LC and MS – especially on how this technology provides benefit and value.Sam joined Waters in January of 2014 as a Sales Technical Support Specialist in the Irvine office/lab. As a TSS he performed demonstrations on various instruments, provided training for customers, often presented on technical information at varying events, and assisted with troubleshooting from Colorado to Los Angeles.He previously worked at Pyxant Labs in Colorado Springs, CO where he gained extensive experience developing and validating methods for small/large molecules in bioanalytical assays, agricultural commodities, registration of pesticides, and worker exposure studies. He also has experience in column chromatography, sample extraction, sample clean-up, reporting and data management. Sam has hands on experience with running and maintaining various manufacturers' LC/MS/MS systems. Prior to Pyxant, Sam was a Laboratory Instructor at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry.</blockquote></div>

Waters Corporation: Impurity Testing: Definitions, Guidelines, Analytical Reference Materials and Technologies, and Other Considerations

Impurity Testing: Definitions, Guidelines, Analytical Reference Materials and Technologies, and Other Considerations

Webinar with USP and Waters on managing API impurities, covering regulatory guidance, USP reference standards, and modern LC method optimization tools.

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