🎤Dr. Leigh Terry (University of Alabama)In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, we sit down with Dr. Leigh Terry from the University of Alabama to explore one of the biggest challenges in environmental analysis today: understanding—and accurately measuring—PFAS in water systems.While most regulatory methods focus on a small number of compounds like PFOA and PFOS, there may be thousands of PFAS compounds in the environment—and much of that burden goes undetected.<h4>In this episode, we cover:</h4><ul><li>Why PFAS are called “forever chemicals” (and why that label is evolving)</li><li>The limitations of targeted LC-MS/MS methods</li><li>What the fluorine mass balance problem reveals about PFAS destruction</li><li>How combustion ion chromatography (CIC) helps measure total organofluorine</li><li>Why “99.99% removal” doesn’t always mean what you think</li><li>Where PFAS actually end up in wastewater treatment systems</li><li>The most effective technologies for PFAS removal today</li><li>Why drinking water may only account for ~20% of total PFAS exposure</li></ul><h4>Key Insight:</h4>Even when analyzing dozens of PFAS compounds, researchers may only be capturing a small fraction of total organic fluorine—raising major questions about how we monitor and regulate these contaminants.<h3>Video Transcription</h3>In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, Dr. Leigh Terry discusses PFAS contamination in drinking water, the analytical challenges associated with measuring these compounds, current treatment technologies, and future directions for monitoring and regulation. The conversation highlights how analytical chemistry, environmental engineering, and public health intersect in addressing one of today's most discussed classes of emerging contaminants.<h4>Understanding PFAS and Their Significance</h4><h5>The University of Alabama Water Quality Research Center</h5>Dr. Leigh Terry is part of the University of Alabama's Center for Water Quality Research. The center operates an analytical laboratory focused on drinking water quality and the detection of contaminants at extremely low concentrations.The laboratory specializes in:<ul><li>Drinking water analysis</li><li>Organic contaminants</li><li>Emerging contaminants</li><li>PFAS monitoring</li><li>Water quality research</li></ul>Their work supports both research initiatives and practical solutions for water utilities and environmental agencies.<h4>Why Focus on PFAS?</h4>Although PFAS compounds have existed since the 1940s, public awareness has increased dramatically only in recent years.According to Dr. Terry, several factors contributed to the rapid growth of PFAS research:<ul><li>Increased media attention</li><li>New regulatory initiatives</li><li>Growing evidence of human exposure</li><li>Expanding research opportunities</li><li>Greater understanding of potential health risks</li></ul>PFAS are not new contaminants. Rather, society is only beginning to understand their prevalence in the environment and their potential impacts on human health.<h4>The Development of Standardized PFAS Methods</h4>One major advancement in PFAS analysis has been the development of standardized EPA methods.These methods allow:<ul><li>Consistent testing procedures</li><li>Comparable results between laboratories</li><li>Regulatory monitoring</li><li>Reliable data interpretation</li></ul>Dr. Terry notes that many of these standardized approaches began appearing around 2018–2019, providing a common framework for analytical laboratories and researchers.<h4>How Large Is the PFAS Universe?</h4>Many people are familiar with PFOA and PFOS, two of the most heavily studied PFAS compounds. However, these represent only a small fraction of the broader PFAS family.PFOA and PFOS are often referred to as:<ul><li>Legacy PFAS compounds</li><li>Original PFAS contaminants</li><li>Early commercial PFAS chemicals</li></ul>The challenge is that even minor modifications to molecular structure create entirely new PFAS compounds.Researchers estimate:<ul><li>Thousands of PFAS compounds exist</li><li>Some estimates exceed 10,000 compounds</li><li>Exact numbers depend on how PFAS are defined</li></ul>Scientific debate continues regarding classification and definition, making precise counting difficult.<h4>Why PFAS Are Called "Forever Chemicals"</h4>Dr. Terry notes that the phrase "forever chemicals" has become widely used, although she suggests the terminology could benefit from rebranding.PFAS persistence results from two key chemical properties.<h5>1. Amphiphilic Structure</h5>PFAS molecules contain:<ul><li>A water-loving (hydrophilic) head group</li><li>A water-repelling (hydrophobic) fluorinated tail</li></ul>This unusual combination allows PFAS to partition between:<ul><li>Water</li><li>Solids</li><li>Air-water interfaces</li><li>Foam</li></ul>Unlike many organic compounds, PFAS can interact effectively with multiple environmental phases.<h5>2. Extremely Strong Carbon–Fluorine Bonds</h5>The carbon–fluorine bond is among the strongest bonds in organic chemistry.As Dr. Terry explains:<ul><li>Large amounts of energy are required to break these bonds</li><li>Natural degradation processes are often ineffective</li><li>Destruction can require highly aggressive treatment conditions</li></ul>These properties make PFAS extremely persistent in both environmental systems and biological organisms.<h4>Toxicity, Regulations, and Environmental Behavior</h4><h5>Understanding PFAS Toxicity</h5>One of the biggest challenges in PFAS regulation is the incomplete understanding of toxicity.Dr. Terry explains that EPA regulations generally consider three factors:<ul><li>Presence in drinking water sources</li><li>Toxicity to humans</li><li>Availability of practical treatment options</li></ul>While some PFAS compounds are known to be harmful, many others remain insufficiently studied. Furthermore, PFAS often occur as mixtures rather than individual compounds.This creates important scientific questions:<ul><li>What is the toxicity of individual PFAS?</li><li>What is the toxicity of PFAS mixtures?</li><li>How should cumulative exposure be evaluated?</li></ul>These uncertainties continue to drive active research.<h4>What Happens to PFAS in Wastewater Treatment Plants?</h4>PFAS do not behave like many conventional contaminants.Rather than remaining fully dissolved in water, they often accumulate at interfaces such as:<ul><li>Water-solid interfaces</li><li>Water-air interfaces</li><li>Foam layers</li><li>Biological solids</li></ul>As a result:<ul><li>Some PFAS accumulate in biosolids</li><li>Some partition into foam</li><li>Some remain in treated effluent</li></ul>Their distribution depends on wastewater composition and treatment processes.<h4>Regulatory Monitoring and Targeted LC-MS Analysis</h4>Current EPA regulations focus on targeted analysis of specific PFAS compounds.Examples include:<ul><li>PFOA</li><li>PFOS</li></ul>Drinking water regulations currently establish maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for these compounds at extremely low concentrations.Advantages of targeted LC-MS analysis include:<ul><li>Clearly defined analytes</li><li>Established regulatory limits</li><li>High analytical sensitivity</li><li>Reliable quantitation</li></ul>However, limitations remain:<ul><li>Only a small subset of PFAS is measured</li><li>Many PFAS compounds remain undetected</li><li>Total PFAS burden may be underestimated</li></ul>As Dr. Terry notes, targeted analysis provides only part of the overall picture.<h4>The Fluorine Mass Balance Problem</h4>One of the most important concepts discussed in the interview is fluorine mass balance.When PFAS degrade, fluorinated fragments may remain in the environment.This creates a critical question:Are treatment technologies truly destroying PFAS, or merely transforming them into shorter-chain PFAS compounds?To answer this, researchers perform fluorine mass balance calculations using:<ul><li>Targeted PFAS analysis</li><li>Fluoride measurements</li><li>Total organic fluorine measurements</li></ul>A successful destruction process should ultimately convert PFAS into fluoride ions rather than simply producing smaller PFAS molecules.<h4>Advanced Analysis, Treatment Technologies, and Future Directions</h4><h5>Combining Targeted and Bulk Fluorine Measurements</h5>Dr. Terry's group complements targeted LC-MS analysis with measurements of total organic fluorine.Approaches include:<ul><li>Absorbable Organic Fluorine (AOF)</li><li>Extractable Organic Fluorine (EOF)</li><li>Combustion Ion Chromatography (CIC)</li></ul>In these methods:<ul><li>Organic fluorine is captured</li><li>Samples are combusted</li><li>Released fluoride is quantified</li></ul>This provides insight into total fluorinated content, although contributions may originate from sources beyond PFAS, including pharmaceuticals and consumer products.<h4>Surprising Findings from Combined Analysis</h4>One important finding from wastewater studies was that targeted PFAS measurements accounted for only a small fraction of total organic fluorine.Dr. Terry reports that:<ul><li>Approximately 4% of measured AOF could be explained by targeted PFAS compounds</li><li>The majority of organic fluorine remained unidentified</li></ul>This suggests that environmental fluorine chemistry is considerably more complex than currently represented by routine monitoring programs.<h4>Preventing PFAS Contamination in the Laboratory</h4>PFAS analysis requires exceptionally strict quality control.Dr. Terry's laboratory routinely:<ul><li>Tests every new batch of SPE cartridges</li><li>Tests carbon tubes before use</li><li>Uses DI water blanks</li><li>Verifies consumables labeled as PFAS-free</li><li>Collects field blanks</li><li>Monitors analytical blanks throughout workflows</li></ul>These practices help prevent contamination from laboratory materials and consumables, a common challenge in ultra-trace PFAS analysis.<h4>Current PFAS Treatment Technologies</h4>Three technologies currently dominate PFAS removal in drinking water treatment:<ul><li>Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)</li><li>Ion Exchange Resins</li><li>Reverse Osmosis (RO)</li></ul>Selection depends on:<ul><li>PFAS concentration</li><li>Water quality</li><li>Local operating conditions</li><li>Utility infrastructure</li></ul>Although many emerging technologies are being investigated, these remain the most widely implemented solutions.<h4>Membrane Filtration and Pretreatment</h4>Dr. Terry collaborates with colleagues studying membrane-based PFAS treatment.Her own work focuses on pretreatment through biological filtration.The strategy involves:<ul><li>Removing natural organic matter</li><li>Reducing membrane fouling</li><li>Improving membrane performance</li><li>Extending operational efficiency</li></ul>This integrated approach demonstrates how multiple treatment technologies can work together to improve PFAS removal.<h4>Regional Monitoring Projects</h4>The University of Alabama team participates in EPA-supported monitoring efforts along the Gulf Coast.Their observations indicate:<ul><li>PFAS rarely occur alone</li><li>Multiple PFAS compounds frequently co-occur</li><li>Contamination often originates from identifiable point sources</li></ul>Examples include:<ul><li>Industrial facilities</li><li>Manufacturing operations</li><li>Military installations</li><li>Carpet manufacturing facilities</li></ul>Source identification remains a critical component of environmental monitoring programs.<h4>Future Directions for PFAS Monitoring</h4>Looking ahead, Dr. Terry sees several opportunities for improvement.Desired advances include:<ul><li>In situ monitoring technologies</li><li>Portable detection systems</li><li>Reduced analytical complexity</li><li>Lower instrument costs</li><li>Less expensive consumables</li><li>Faster analysis workflows</li></ul>Current PFAS testing requires substantial expertise, specialized instrumentation, and rigorous quality control, making widespread implementation challenging.<h4>Dr. Terry's Perspective on Long-Term Solutions</h4>When asked what major PFAS challenge she would most like to solve, Dr. Terry offered a broader perspective.Rather than focusing solely on remediation, she emphasized prevention.Her view is that society should:<ul><li>Better evaluate chemical toxicity before commercialization</li><li>Assess risks before large-scale deployment</li><li>Reduce introduction of harmful compounds into the environment</li><li>Support utilities tasked with contaminant removal</li></ul>She notes that water utilities often bear the responsibility of removing contaminants they did not create, highlighting the need for broader societal and regulatory support.<h4>Final Thoughts</h4>Dr. Terry encourages consumers to:<ul><li>Learn where their drinking water originates</li><li>Read annual water quality reports</li><li>Stay informed about local water quality</li><li>Consider appropriate home filtration where needed</li></ul>At the same time, she emphasizes confidence in municipal water systems and the importance of continued investment in water quality research, monitoring, and treatment technologies.<h4>Conclusion</h4>PFAS remain one of the most complex challenges in environmental chemistry and water treatment. Through advanced analytical methods such as LC-MS/MS, combustion ion chromatography, fluorine mass balance approaches, and large-scale monitoring programs, researchers like Dr. Leigh Terry are helping improve our understanding of these persistent contaminants.The interview highlights that solving the PFAS challenge will require a combination of better analytical tools, improved treatment technologies, stronger regulatory frameworks, and a greater emphasis on prevention before contaminants enter the environment.<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>

PFAS in Water: Why We’re Missing 96% of the Problem

This study evaluates an immobilized enzyme reactor (IMER) containing peptide N-glycosidase from Rudaea cellulosilytica (PNGase Rc) for rapid online deglycosylation of intact glycoproteins. Human glycoproteins and therapeutic antibodies were used as model substrates to assess reactor performance.The PNGase Rc IMER efficiently removed complex sialylated and core-fucosylated glycans, simplifying protein characterization and glycosylation-site analysis. The approach offers a fast and effective solution for bioanalytical workflows, biopharmaceutical quality control, and stability testing of therapeutic proteins.<blockquote><h4>The original article</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.6c00577">Online Deglycosylation of Monomeric Intact Proteins Using the PNGase Rc Immobilized-Enzyme Reactor</a></h4>Katarína Molnárová, Petr Novák, Jana Nováková, and Petr Pompach*ACS Omega 2026, 11, 17, 25724–25729<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.6c00577">https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.6c00577</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>Selected sections from the article follow. Formats and hyperlinks were adapted from the original.<div>Protein glycosylation, in which monosaccharide units are attached to a protein backbone through enzymatic pathways, is involved in many important biochemical processes and is considered one of the most important post-translational modifications. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1)</a> It affects not only the stability and secretion of proteins, cell–cell interactions, and receptor–ligand recognition mechanisms but also the biological activity, plasma half-life, immunogenicity, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics of biotherapeutics. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(2−5)</a> Therapeutical monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are among the best known pharmaceuticals that are based on glycoproteins. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(6)</a> Over 90% of the mAbs are derived from immunoglobulin G (IgG), in which N-glycosylation occurs at Asn297 of the Fc region and is responsible for modulating immune responses and interactions with other proteins. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(7,8)</a> In cancer treatment, mAbs are used to increase the response of the immune system against the tumor cell, thus inhibiting the cancerous cell growth and helping with the destruction and elimination. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(9)</a> Among the most commonly used mAbs are trastuzumab, bevacizumab, cetuximab, or margetuximab, which are used as an additional treatment for breast, colorectal, prostate, or lung cancer. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(10)</a>Mass spectrometry (MS)-based methods have become a method of choice in the analysis of mAbs that can provide information on sequence, post-translational modifications, and glycosylation profiles. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(11)</a> The enzymatic removal of the attached glycans from the protein backbone can reduce the complexity of the MS analysis, which can lead to a better understanding of the protein structure and modifications. In glycoproteomics, peptide-N-glycosidase F (PNGase F) is most used for glycan removal. It cleaves the linkage between the Asn residue and the N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc). <a href="javascript:void(0);">(12)</a> Jmeian et al. developed a monolithic PNGase F enzyme reactor fabricated in fused silica using a glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate polymer and integrated it into an LC–MS workflow. The authors demonstrated the applicability of this system for the characterization of released neutral and acidic N-glycans by LC–MS analysis. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(13)</a> In another study, oriented immobilization of PNGase F onto a methacrylate-based monolithic support via glutathione-S-transferase–glutathione affinity coupling was employed to release N-glycans from denatured ribonuclease B and fetuin, as well as from native IgG. The released glycans and the corresponding deglycosylated proteins were subsequently analyzed by MALDI-MS. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(14)</a>Gramlich et al. showed the potential of PNGase Rc for N-glycan hydrolysis from both tryptic peptides and native glycoproteins at a low pH. The favorable properties of PNGase Rc, including activity at acidic pH and compatibility with reducing agents such as tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine hydrochloride (TCEP) and denaturants like urea, make this enzyme well suited for online intact protein deglycosylation workflows. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(15,16)</a>In this report, we demonstrate the potential of the PNGase Rc IMER for rapid online deglycosylation of reduced monomeric glycoproteins, including human haptoglobin (Hp), human transferrin, anti-hHD6, and the therapeutic monoclonal antibodies trastuzumab and bevacizumab. The column retained its activity over more than 150 consecutive measurements, highlighting its robustness, suitability for repeated use in bioanalytical workflows, and applicability to pharmaceutical research and development.<h4>Experimental Section</h4><h5>Instrumentation and Experimental Conditions</h5>Automated sample handling and online deglycosylation were carried out using the HDX workstation (AffiPro, Czech Republic). The scheme of the system is shown on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.6c00577#fig1">Figure 1</a>. Samples of 50 mM ammonium bicarbonate buffer (pH 8.2) and 40 mM TCEP were placed in a sample tray at 4 °C. Ten microliters of the protein sample at a concentration of 0.03 mg/mL (0.3 μg per injection) were added to 40 μL of 50 mM ammonium bicarbonate and then transferred to 50 μL of 40 mM TCEP, pH 2.3. The disulfide bond reduction was carried at 40 °C for 5 min. The automated sample handling system injected 100 μL of the reaction mixture into the sample loop and switched the injection valve. Online deglycosylation was performed at room temperature using a PNGase Rc IMER (2.1 × 20 mm, AffiPro, Czech Republic) at a flow rate of 50 μL/min, followed by protein desalting on an OPTI-TRAP (0.5 × 2 mm) trap column (Optimize Technologies Inc., Oregon City, Oregon, USA) heated to 55 °C for 10 min with 0.2% formic acid delivered by an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=1260+Infinity+III+isocratic+pump">Agilent 1260 Infinity III isocratic pump</a> (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, California, USA). By switching the trap valve, the protein was eluted by an acetonitrile gradient [(min)/% B] 0/10-9/10-16/70-16.5/90-17/90-18/10-23/10] delivered by the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=1290+Infinity+II+LC">Agilent 1290 Infinity II HPLC</a> system (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, California, USA) at a flow rate of 20 μL/min. The mobile phase A consisted of 5% acetonitrile with 1% propan-2-ol and 0.1% formic acid, and the mobile phase B consisted of 95% acetonitrile with 1% propan-2-ol and 0.1% formic acid. The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=8&amp;search=maXis+Q-TOF">maXis Q-TOF mass spectrometer</a> (Bruker Daltonics, Bremen, Germany) was operated in the survey MS mode in a mass range of m/z 50–3000. The acquired data were analyzed and processed by DataAnalysis 4.4 (Bruker Daltonics) and deconvoluted by UniDec <a href="javascript:void(0);">(17)</a> with the following parameters: data processing range, m/z 500–3000; charge range, 1–80; allowed mass range, 1,000–80,000; sampling rate, 10 Da; peak detection range, 500 Da; and peak detection threshold, 0.1.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/ACS_Omega_2026_11_17_25724_25729_Figure_1_Schematic_of_the_automated_sample_handling_system_for_online_protein_deglycosylation_and_desalting_d4ee48b627.jpg" alt="ACS Omega 2026, 11, 17, 25724–25729: Figure 1. Schematic of the automated sample handling system for online protein deglycosylation and desalting. Protein samples, along with 50 mM ammonium bicarbonate and 40 mM TCEP stock solutions were placed in a sample tray chilled to 4 °C, while a second tray heated to 40 °C was used for disulfide bond reduction with TCEP buffer." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_ACS_Omega_2026_11_17_25724_25729_Figure_1_Schematic_of_the_automated_sample_handling_system_for_online_protein_deglycosylation_and_desalting_d4ee48b627.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1287" height="386"><h4>Results and Discussion</h4>The performance of the PNGase Rc IMER for the removal of complex N-glycans from intact proteins was tested using heavily glycosylated human Hp with four glycosylation sites (Asn184, Asn207, Asn211, and Asn241) <a href="javascript:void(0);">(18)</a> located at the β-chain and occupied by complex N-glycans terminated with sialic acid. Haptoglobin phenotype 2-1, used in this study, forms multimers consisting of β-chain and disulfide linked α1 and α2 chains. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(19)</a> The detection of glycosylated Hp β-chain requires reduction of the disulfide bonds by incubating the protein with a reducing reagent. TCEP is a common reducing reagent used for fast reduction of disulfide bonds at various pH levels. Forty degrees Celsius, the maximum temperature of the PAL tray, and 5 min of incubation were sufficient for complete reduction of Hp disulfide bonds. Individual signals corresponding to the glycosylated β-chain were observed in the m/z range of 35,800–37,400 (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.6c00577#fig2">Figure 2</a>a). The limited resolution of the mass spectrometer did not allow assigning the different glycoforms of the haptoglobin β-chain, which is occupied by biantennary, triantennary, or tetraantennary glycans with various amounts of sialic acid and fucose. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(20,21)</a> The nonglycosylated α1 and α2 chains were observed at m/z 9190 and 15,940. When the PNGase Rc IMER was integrated into the flow system, a signal at m/z 27,270 was detected, demonstrating complete deglycosylation of the haptoglobin β-chain (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.6c00577#fig2">Figure 2</a>b).<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/ACS_Omega_2026_11_17_25724_25729_Figure_2_A_Mass_spectrum_of_human_Hp_without_the_PN_Gase_Rc_IMER_implemented_in_the_system_0ecca84ed4.jpg" alt="ACS Omega 2026, 11, 17, 25724–25729: Figure 2. (A) Mass spectrum of human Hp without the PNGase Rc IMER implemented in the system. The base peak signals of the spectrum correspond to both α1 and α2 chains. The signal of the β chain is spread across its different glycoforms. (B) Mass spectrum of human Hp with the PNGase Rc IMER implemented in the system. The signal of the deglycosylated β chain is higher compared to its glycosylated form and observed only at m/z 27,270. This indicates complete removal of glycans from the Hp β chain." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_ACS_Omega_2026_11_17_25724_25729_Figure_2_A_Mass_spectrum_of_human_Hp_without_the_PN_Gase_Rc_IMER_implemented_in_the_system_0ecca84ed4.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="2015" height="913">In a previous study by Krenkova et al., the PNGase F IMER was used for deglycosylation of IgG, RNase B, and bovine fetuin with follow-up mass spectrometry detection of both released glycans and intact proteins using MALDI-TOF MS. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(14)</a> The authors demonstrated an effective method for rapid protein deglycosylation, which, however, requires additional sample handling prior to mass spectrometry measurement. The other study by Jmeian et al., which focused on released N-glycans, implemented a PNGase F IMER with online LC–MS detection. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(13)</a> The authors show the effectiveness of the method by identifying many different glycans released from a single protein or from a complex plasma mixture. Our approach is not directly intended for released N-glycan analysis; instead, it demonstrates the ability to measure intact proteins after rapid online deglycosylation using PNGase Rc at low pH. Samples prepared immediately prior to mass spectrometry analysis using the automated sample-handling platform can reduce variability associated with autosampler residence time, as some proteins may undergo degradation or precipitation during storage in the autosampler.Although all glycoproteins in this study were effectively deglycosylated, the method’s efficiency depends on the characteristics of the individual glycoprotein. Therefore, optimizing method parameters─including the isocratic flow rate, glycoprotein incubation time with TCEP, and/or the addition of denaturing reagent─may improve the overall efficiency of the deglycosylation process.The PNGase Rc IMER stability over a series of injections was tested by using the trastuzumab antibody. The measurements were carried out with the enzyme column kept at the laboratory temperature. As shown in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.6c00577#fig5">Figure 5</a>, the results indicate that the column performance remained stable over the course of the 150 measurements, and no glycosylated form of the trastuzumab antibody heavy chain was detected. The activity of PNGase Rc in the presence of 5% acetonitrile and 5% propan-2-ol was evaluated using a bottom-up approach with human 2–1 haptoglobin, which was online-digested by a coimmobilized nepenthesin-2/pepsin IMER. In the absence of an organic solvent, the peptide IEKVVLHPNYSQVD remained fully deglycosylated throughout 30 injections. In contrast, in the presence of organic solvent, a marked loss of enzymatic activity was observed after only a few injections (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/acsomega.6c00577/suppl_file/ao6c00577_si_001.pdf">Figure 2</a>).<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/ACS_Omega_2026_11_17_25724_25729_Figure_5_Monitoring_the_stability_and_performance_of_PN_Gase_Rc_IMER_4a9b5a9c53.jpg" alt="ACS Omega 2026, 11, 17, 25724–25729: Figure 5. Monitoring the stability and performance of PNGase Rc IMER. Trastuzumab heavy chain was completely deglycosylated after 150 injections." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_ACS_Omega_2026_11_17_25724_25729_Figure_5_Monitoring_the_stability_and_performance_of_PN_Gase_Rc_IMER_4a9b5a9c53.jpg 170w," sizes="100vw" width="996" height="918"><h4>Conclusions</h4>Here, we demonstrate the potential of the PNGase Rc IMER for the online removal of N-glycans from intact monomeric glycoproteins reduced with TCEP. The column showed high sensitivity toward Hp, which has multiple glycosylation sites with various glycan structures, confirming its suitability for the profiling of complex glycoproteins. Bevacizumab and trastuzumab exhibited similar glycosylation profiles, with core-fucosylated biantennary glycans being the most abundant. Online deglycosylation with the PNGase Rc column resulted in a complete removal of the glycans from the heavy chains of both antibodies, proving that the column can be used for the rapid online deglycosylation of intact therapeutic mAbs. Moreover, the column remained stable over 150 measurements without any loss of activity, even when it was maintained at laboratory temperature. The significantly reduced reaction time, together with full automation and the absence of manual handling steps, substantially improves analytical throughput compared to conventional off-line deglycosylation workflows. These findings highlight the potential of the PNGase Rc IMER in the development of glycoprotein-based biopharmaceuticals, where detailed structural characterization of the protein part is critical for quality control, monitoring batch-to-batch variability, and stability testing.</div>

Online Deglycosylation of Monomeric Intact Proteins Using the PNGase Rc Immobilized-Enzyme Reactor

In the week of June 29, the following webinars await you in the field of liquid phase and especially HPLC and LC/MS.<blockquote><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/webinars">👉 DETAILS AND REGISTRATION IN THE WEBINARS SECTION</a></h4>👉 Search and filter in the largest global database with over 5 500 GC, LC, MS and spectroscopy webinars.</blockquote><h5>1. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Insights from an IC specialist: To be suppressed or not suppressed?</h5><ul><li>Tu, 30.6.2026 09:00 CEST</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/webinar/6310">Registration</a></li></ul>Join Thermo Fisher’s Ask the Experts session to learn how suppressor technology impacts ion chromatography performance, sensitivity, reliability, maintenance, and troubleshooting.<h5>2. SCIEX: Advancing Proteomics with ZenoTOF: From Single-Cell Analysis to Plasma Biomarker Discovery</h5><ul><li>Tu, 30.6.2026 11:30 CEST</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/webinar/6311">Registration</a></li></ul>Discover how ZenoTOF high-resolution mass spectrometry is accelerating single-cell proteomics and plasma biomarker discovery through enhanced sensitivity, throughput, and automation.<h5>3. Agilent Technologies: Measuring Diverse Samples with UV/VIS Spectrometers and Integrating Spheres</h5><ul><li>Tu, 30.6.2026 20:30 CEST</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/webinar/6052">Registration</a></li></ul>This webinar will discuss diffuse transmission and reflection UV/VIS measurements, including how to perform measurements with Agilent’s Cary 60 UV/VIS Spectrometer.<h5>4. Waters Corporation: Informatics series #33 Tips, Tricks and Best Practices</h5><ul><li>Th, 2.7.2026 11:00 CEST</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/webinar/6315">Registration</a></li></ul>This interactive session revisits essential features, shortcuts, and practical techniques in Empower software that can streamline everyday laboratory work and reduce unnecessary effort.<h5>5. Waters Corporation: Unlocking Therapeutic Peptide Characterisation (GLP-1RAs) with Cyclic IMS</h5><ul><li>Th, 2.7.2026 15:00 CEST</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/webinar/6313">Registration</a></li></ul>Discover how cyclic ion mobility spectrometry (cyclic IMS) improves characterization of GLP-1 analogues and therapeutic peptides, supporting development, quality control, and regulatory submissions.<h5>6. Agilent Technologies: Spectral Flow Cytometry Masterclass - Session 1</h5><ul><li>Fr, 3.7.2026 07:00 CEST</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/webinar/6316">Registration</a></li></ul>Learn how full-spectrum flow cytometry enables high-dimensional cell analysis. Explore spectral flow technology, experimental design, and applications in immunology, oncology, and vaccine research.

Webinars LabRulezLCMS Week 27/2026

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<ol>
<li>Strategies for sample cleanup</li>
<li>Chromatography problems caused by sample matrix</li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Physical effects</li>
<li>Chemical effects</li>
</ul>

Agilent Technologies: Techniques for Avoiding Unexpected Problems in LC and GC Analysis

Techniques for Avoiding Unexpected Problems in LC and GC Analysis

Mass Spectrometry continues to grow in popularity. Many labs with mass spectrometers often look to “upgrading” their HPLC to UHPLC as a way to shorten run times, increase throughput, and thereby keep up with the increasing demand on their mass spectrometers. But is “upgrading” our only choice?
While UHPLC does offer several advantages over traditional HPLC for the mass spec lab, including speed, many LC/MS applications can be run on an optimized HPLC with very good results.In today’s talk, we will discuss system optimization not only for UHPLC/MS, but also with the goal of improving speed, resolution, and throughput on our traditional HPLC/MS systems as well.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Paul Altiero (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Paul Altiero is an Applications Engineer located at the Agilent Little Falls site in Wilmington, DE. Prior to coming to Agilent in 2009, Paul worked in the pharmaceutical industry performing LCMS bioanalysis supporting Drug Discovery DMPK. While at Agilent, Paul has been a field service engineer for LCMS as well as the integrating program manager for the RapidFire high throughput LCMS system. In his current role Paul’s responsibilities include technical support and application assistance for LCMS consumables.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Your HPLC/MS; Solutions for Your Instrument

Your HPLC/MS; Solutions for Your Instrument

System optimization not only for UHPLC/MS, but also with the goal of improving speed, resolution, and throughput on our traditional HPLC/MS systems as well.

Whether you’re starting a new method or running a routine one, having a checklist to review before starting can help avoid chromatography problems.
In this presentation, we will look at:
<ul>
<li>Your supplies: The role they play in getting the best results possible from your instrument
</li>
<li>Your column: The importance of choice; Why you should benchmark your column with your system
</li>
<li>Your instrument: The importance of maintenance and what to put on your “housekeeping” list
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Rita Steed (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Rita Steed began supporting the LC column line for Agilent in 1999. As a Chromatography Specialist (first with Chromatography, Inc., then directly for Agilent), Rita worked on-site with researchers in Pharmaceutical and other industries presenting technical seminars and assisting researchers with troubleshooting and method development. Rita has over 20 years of Chromatography experience in the Biotechnology, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical industries. She has held positions in Research, Sales, and Technical Service. Rita has earned degrees in Microbiology and Life Sciences/Biochemistry. In her current position, she is an inside Application Engineer supporting LC columns.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Alex Ucci (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
In his current position at Agilent, Alex provides application assistance and technical support for sample preparation products as well as GC and LC consumables. Before he joined Agilent in 2014, Alex was a graduate student at the Pennsylvania State University researching the morphology and surface properties of aerosol particles using a wide variety of analytical techniques. He has an MS degree in chemistry.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: The Chromatography Checklist

The Chromatography Checklist

Whether you’re starting a new method or running a routine one, having a checklist to review before starting can help avoid chromatography problems.

Whether you’re currently working with biomolecules or are making a transition from working with small molecules to biotherapeutics you will find that size does make a difference in the decisions we make as we’re developing a method.
Some characteristics of biomolecules can make their separations both different from and more challenging than small molecule separations. Of the many different HPLC separation mechanisms and column types, reverse phase is commonly used for both small molecules and biomolecules. This presentation will look at what we typically think about for small molecules and how working with biomolecules may be similar or in some cases quite different.
Areas we’ll discuss are:
<ul>
<li>Method development parameters; similarities and differences
</li>
<li>Column selection
</li>
<li>The matrix and sample prep
</li>
<li>Instrument considerations
</li>
<li>Tips to help identify why your separation doesn’t look like you thought it would
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Rita Steed (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Rita Steed began supporting the LC column line for Agilent in 1999. As a Chromatography Specialist (first with Chromatography, Inc., then directly for Agilent), Rita worked on-site with researchers in Pharmaceutical and other industries presenting technical seminars and assisting researchers with troubleshooting and method development. Rita has over 20 years of Chromatography experience in the Biotechnology, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical industries. She has held positions in Research, Sales, and Technical Service. Rita has earned degrees in Microbiology and Life Sciences/Biochemistry. In her current position, she is an inside Application Engineer supporting LC columns.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Making the Leap: Small Molecules to Biomolecules

Making the Leap: Small Molecules to Biomolecules

What we typically think about for small molecules and how working with biomolecules may be similar or in some cases quite different.

Successful chromatography can be like finding your way through a maze. Planning and good habits can help prevent problems that can take you down the wrong path and cause you to lose your chromatography.
In this seminar, we will look at:
<ul>
<li>Method conditions to consider that can make your method robust and rugged. This reduces the chance of method variability and facilitates ease of transfer
</li>
<li>Chemistry, sample prep, and instrument configuration factors that can affect your HPLC separation Careful attention to method development and care of your instrument saves you the time and aggravation of troubleshooting.
</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>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Alex Ucci (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
In his current position at Agilent, Alex provides application assistance and technical support for sample preparation products as well as GC and LC consumables. Before he joined Agilent in 2014, Alex was a graduate student at the Pennsylvania State University researching the morphology and surface properties of aerosol particles using a wide variety of analytical techniques. He has an MS degree in chemistry.
</blockquote>

Agilent technologies: Surviving Chromatography Part I Preventive Action

Surviving Chromatography Part I Preventive Action

Planning and good habits can help prevent problems that can take you down the wrong path and cause you to lose your chromatography.

Now you’re lost because your chromatography is not where it should be. What do you do?
In this talk we’ll look at ways to troubleshoot what went wrong and discuss things you can do to keep them from happening in the future.
In this talk we’ll discuss:
<ul>
<li>Common chromatography problems including pressure, peak shape issues like tailing, and retention time shifts
</li>
<li>How to isolate the problem and whether it’s related to chemistry or your instrument hardware/software
</li>
<li>Identifying the problem and taking corrective action can help prevent the same thing from happening in the future.
</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: Surviving Chromatography Part II Corrective Action

Surviving Chromatography Part II Corrective Action

Ways to troubleshoot what went wrong and things you can do to keep them from happening in the future.

Improving an existing method is an opportunity to save time, money and sample.
Whether you’re developing a new method or updating an older one, there are several questions to consider, including:
<ul>
<li>Is the goal to reduce analysis time and/or improve resolution?
</li>
<li>Is the method isocratic or gradient?
</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>Modernizing a legacy method, whether it’s a reference method from the USP, AOAC, or EPA or an internal one, can simplify testing and improve accuracy, ruggedness, and sample throughput.
</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: Updating Old Methods, Is the Gain Worth the Pain?

Updating Old Methods, Is the Gain Worth the Pain?

Improving an existing method is an opportunity to save time, money and sample.

If you’ve ever looked at a chromatogram and said, “What’s that?” or thought “That’s not supposed to be there!”, this talk is for you.
We will be discussing:
<ul>
<li>Chromatography problems that can be caused by sample matrix
</li>
<li>How to deal with unwanted matrix effects
</li>
<li>Strategies for cleaning up your sample and how that helps protect your column and instrument
</li>
<li>Unexpected sources of unknown peaks
</li>
<li>Unexpected peaks and issues are often the result of the sample matrix. Understanding what to do about it can help you get the reliable and reproducible chromatography you want.
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Golnar Javadi (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Golnar Javadi is an applications engineer providing online applications assistance and technical support for LC columns and supplies, Sample Preparation products, and Spectroscopy supplies.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Before joining Varian and then Agilent, Golnar worked in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries on method development and quality control. She also taught college level chemistry courses for a few years.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Golnar then joined Varian as a technical support specialist, providing customers with method development assistance and technical support on Sample Preparation (SPE, SLE, and Filtration), HPLC, GC, ToxiLab and DAT. After the Varian-Agilent merger, Golnar joined Agilent Technologies as an Applications Engineer. She provides technical support to customers on Sample Preparation products, Liquid Chromatography columns, and Spectroscopy supplies.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Oh, What a Mess! Dealing with Unwanted Matrix Effects

Oh, What a Mess! Dealing with Unwanted Matrix Effects

If you’ve ever looked at a chromatogram and said, “What’s that?” or thought “That’s not supposed to be there!”, this talk is for you.

Common problems like pressure, peak shape changes, retention time shifts, and changes in detection are ones HPLC chromatographers routinely struggle with.
In this webinar we will work through troubleshooting strategies to help you with them. When a problem arises, it is important to determine if it’s more likely related to the instrument or something with the column. The answer could be either one of them, but it might also be something else like the sample or mobile phase. Looking at both the instrument and the column, we will walk through steps used to help track down the potential cause and recommend a course of action to help resolve the problem.
<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: From Instrument to Column: Tracking Down the Problem

From Instrument to Column: Troubleshooting in HPLC

Helping you with troubleshooting strategies in HPLC.

If you want to treat yourself to good chromatography understanding your method goals or priorities is a key part but there are other things to consider as well.
Things like:
<ul>
<li>Column choice and characteristics
</li>
<li>Method parameters like temperature
</li>
<li>Mobile phase choice
</li>
<li>Your sample and its characteristics
</li>
<li>Potential limitations of your instrument
</li>
</ul>
We’ll discuss tricks to help identify what you should look at more closely and tips to help optimize your results.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Rita Steed (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Rita Steed began supporting the LC column line for Agilent in 1999. As a Chromatography Specialist (first with Chromatography, Inc., then directly for Agilent), Rita worked on-site with researchers in Pharmaceutical and other industries presenting technical seminars and assisting researchers with troubleshooting and method development. Rita has over 20 years of Chromatography experience in the Biotechnology, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical industries. She has held positions in Research, Sales, and Technical Service. Rita has earned degrees in Microbiology and Life Sciences/Biochemistry. In her current position, she is an inside Application Engineer supporting LC columns.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Treat Yourself to Good Chromatography: Helpful Tricks

Treat Yourself to Good Chromatography: Helpful Tricks

Tricks to help identify what you should look at more closely and tips to help optimize your results.

LCMS webinars focusing on Tips & Tricks - page 42