Microplastics and Nanomaterials: Understanding Emerging Contaminants in Environmental Testing

🎤Matthew BolinoHow do the hidden carbohydrate structures on your favorite protein powders shape the gut microbiome? &nbsp;In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, Matthew Bolino, M.S., from the University of Nevada, Reno, breaks down his latest research on N‑glycans from common dietary proteins (whey, egg white, soy, and pea) and how their structural diversity influences microbial fermentation and short‑chain fatty acid production.Bolino explains what N‑glycans are, why they behave like fiber in the gut, and how his team isolates and characterizes them using ethanol washes, enzymatic release (PNGase F and gut‑derived endoglycosidases), and advanced MALDI‑TOF and HILIC‑QTOF workflows. &nbsp;He also discusses his 2025 work comparing synthetic versus bovine whey N‑glycomes and mapping N‑glycan profiles across dietary protein sources, revealing how glycan architecture can reshape community diversity in in vitro fecal fermentations.Geared toward undergraduate and early‑career analytical chemists, this conversation dives into practical mass spec trade‑offs (MALDI vs QTOF vs LC/GC), real‑world troubleshooting in glycomics labs, and how microbiome‑targeted therapeutics and “symbiotic” designs may emerge from pairing specific microbes with preferred glycan structures. &nbsp;Bolino closes with career advice on building biomolecular analysis skills, understanding instrumentation fundamentals, and entering the rapidly growing field of glycomics and microbiome research.<h3>Video Transcription</h3><h4>Introduction</h4>Glycomics has emerged as a rapidly developing field within biomolecular science, expanding our understanding of post-translational modifications beyond well-known processes such as phosphorylation. Among these modifications, protein glycosylation—the covalent attachment of carbohydrate structures to proteins—plays a critical role in biological function, molecular recognition, and cellular communication.This discussion focuses on N-glycans, a class of structurally complex carbohydrates linked to proteins, and their occurrence in common dietary protein sources such as whey, egg white, soy, and pea protein. Particular emphasis is placed on their structural diversity, analytical workflows, and emerging relevance in gut microbiome research.<h4>Fundamentals of N-Glycans</h4>N-glycans are oligosaccharide structures covalently attached to proteins via nitrogen atoms, typically at asparagine residues. They represent one of the two major classes of protein glycosylation, alongside O-glycans.These glycans are characterized by:<ul><li>High structural diversity, arising from variations in monosaccharide composition and linkage patterns</li><li>Large size, typically comprising 7–15 monosaccharide units</li><li>Complex branching architectures, leading to a vast number of possible configurations</li></ul>Common monosaccharide components include:<ul><li>Mannose</li><li>Galactose</li><li>N-acetylglucosamine</li><li>N-acetylgalactosamine</li><li>Sialic acids</li></ul>Unlike free carbohydrates present in foods (e.g., glucose, lactose), N-glycans are protein-bound, which significantly influences their biological behavior.<h4>Biological Function and Dietary Relevance</h4>N-glycans play multiple roles in biological systems, including:<ul><li>Modulation of protein stability</li><li>Regulation of protein trafficking and localization</li><li>Facilitation of cell–cell communication and immune recognition</li></ul>They are particularly abundant on membrane and surface proteins, where they contribute to molecular signaling processes.From a dietary perspective, N-glycans exhibit unique behavior. Due to their size and protein-bound nature, they are not readily digested in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Instead, they can reach the colon, where they may function analogously to dietary fiber, interacting with the gut microbiota.<h4>Research Motivation</h4>The investigation of N-glycans in dietary proteins was initially driven by interest in protein nutrition and supplementation, particularly in the context of muscle growth and protein quality. However, this focus expanded upon recognition of the importance of glycosylation in biological systems.The field of glycomics offers:<ul><li>Extensive structural variability, enabling diverse biological functions</li><li>Relevance in disease mechanisms, including cancer, where glycosylation patterns can influence immune evasion</li><li>Opportunities to explore diet–microbiome interactions</li></ul>This combination of nutritional, biochemical, and biomedical relevance makes N-glycan research particularly compelling.<h4>Experimental Workflow for N-Glycan Analysis</h4>The analysis of N-glycans requires a multi-step workflow due to their covalent attachment to proteins.<h5>1. Protein Purification</h5>Dietary protein samples often contain:<ul><li>Free sugars</li><li>Lipids</li><li>Other matrix components</li></ul>To isolate glycoproteins:<ul><li>Cold ethanol precipitation is used to remove free carbohydrates</li><li>Multiple washing steps ensure removal of residual sugars</li><li>A phenol–sulfuric acid assay is applied to confirm the absence of free sugars</li></ul><h5>2. Enzymatic Release of N-Glycans</h5>N-glycans are enzymatically cleaved from proteins using:<ul><li>PNGase F (Peptide-N-Glycosidase F)</li></ul>This enzyme:<ul><li>Specifically cleaves the glycan from the protein backbone</li><li>Preserves the intact glycan structure</li></ul>Alternative approaches using gut-derived enzymes are being explored to improve accessibility and yield.<h5>3. Glycan Purification and Labeling</h5>Following release:<ul><li>Glycans are purified from the protein matrix</li><li>Chemical labeling is performed (e.g., 2-AA or procainamide tagging)</li></ul>Labeling enhances:<ul><li>Detection sensitivity</li><li>Chromatographic behavior</li></ul><h5>4. Analytical Techniques</h5>Two primary analytical platforms are employed:<ul><li>MALDI-TOF MS<ul><li>High sensitivity</li><li>Broad structural coverage</li></ul></li><li>HILIC-LC-MS<ul><li>Improved reproducibility</li><li>Enhanced chromatographic separation</li></ul></li></ul>These approaches provide semi-quantitative data, where signal intensity reflects relative abundance rather than absolute concentration.<h4>Analytical Challenges</h4>Several challenges are associated with N-glycan analysis:<h5>Low Abundance</h5><ul><li>Dietary proteins typically contain only 1–2% glycan content by weight</li><li>This limits yield and complicates downstream applications</li></ul><h5>Sample Preparation Complexity</h5><ul><li>Extensive purification is required to eliminate free sugars</li><li>Contamination risks must be carefully managed</li></ul><h5>Instrumentation Trade-Offs</h5><ul><li>Different analytical platforms offer complementary advantages</li><li>No single technique provides complete structural and quantitative information</li></ul><h4>Differences Between Plant and Animal N-Glycans</h4>Comparative analysis reveals distinct differences in glycan composition:<h5>Plant-Derived Proteins (e.g., soy, pea)</h5><ul><li>Predominantly high-mannose structures</li><li>Lower monosaccharide diversity</li><li>Simpler glycan architectures</li></ul><h5>Animal-Derived Proteins (e.g., whey, egg white)</h5><ul><li>Greater structural complexity</li><li>Inclusion of diverse monosaccharides (e.g., sialic acids)</li><li>More elaborate branching patterns</li></ul>These differences have important implications for biological function and microbial interactions.<h4>Implications for Gut Microbiome Research</h4>N-glycans represent a potential class of prebiotic substrates that can influence gut microbiota composition and activity.Key findings suggest:<ul><li>Structural diversity of glycans affects microbial utilization patterns</li><li>More complex glycans may promote greater microbiome diversity</li><li>Specific glycan structures may selectively stimulate beneficial microbes</li></ul>This has led to growing interest in:<ul><li>Synbiotic strategies, combining microbes with preferred substrates</li><li>Tailored dietary interventions to enhance metabolic outputs, such as short-chain fatty acids</li></ul><h4>Methodological Considerations</h4>A critical insight from this work is the importance of understanding analytical trade-offs:<ul><li>MALDI-TOF MS provides broader detection of glycan structures</li><li>LC-MS approaches offer greater reproducibility</li></ul>No single technique is universally optimal; instead, method selection should be guided by the specific research question.<h4>Conclusion</h4>N-glycans in dietary proteins represent a complex and biologically significant class of biomolecules with implications spanning nutrition, microbiology, and disease research. Advances in analytical methodologies continue to improve our ability to characterize these structures, despite challenges related to low abundance and structural diversity.A deeper understanding of N-glycan composition and function may enable the development of targeted nutritional strategies and microbiome-based therapeutics, highlighting the growing importance of glycomics in modern life sciences.<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>

N‑Glycans, Whey Protein, and the Gut Microbiome: Mass Spec Insights with Matthew Bolino

<div><div><div>Our immune system is incredibly powerful: among other things, it can recognize and destroy cancer cells. But tumors can be just as effective at avoiding detection – they build “invisibility shields” to protect themselves from attack.</div></div><div>One breakthrough in cancer therapy has been immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), drugs that reactivate immune T cells and help them fight tumors again. However, only about 20–50% of patients respond well to this treatment. Researchers are therefore seeking alternative therapeutic strategies. A small and well-known molecule called adenosine plays a key role in these efforts.When tumor cells are stressed or dying, they release ATP, which is normally a signal that something is wrong in the tissue. But in the tumor microenvironment, ATP gets rapidly broken down by two enzymes, CD39 and CD73. Released adenosine acts like a chemical “calm-down” signal, binds to immune cells (T cells, NK cells, and others), and tells them to slow down, reducing their ability to kill cancer cells. Targeting CD73 therefore represents a promising strategy for developing new cancer treatments.</div><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Nove_latky_mohou_podporit_imunitni_system_v_boji_s_rakovinou_88c5e82cd5.jpeg" alt="IOCB Prague: Development of potent inhibitors to boost the immune system's ability to fight cancer" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Nove_latky_mohou_podporit_imunitni_system_v_boji_s_rakovinou_88c5e82cd5.jpeg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="661" height="363">At IOCB Prague, interdisciplinary teams led by Jan Řezáč, Jan Konvalinka, and Michal Hocek used a newly developed high-throughput screening method to test over 5,000 compounds, identifying two ribonucleoside derivatives as promising CD73 inhibitors.The scientists then improved the compounds’ activity by carefully modifying the ribonucleoside scaffold with bulky (het)aryl groups. Further optimization improved the pharmacokinetic properties of these compounds, yielding inhibitors with low clearance, long half-life, high solubility, and strong selectivity over related enzymes such as CD39.In cellular experiments, the compounds reduced adenosine production in cancer cells, restored T cell activation, and showed no toxicity toward human fibroblasts. The most active compound showed a single-digit picomolar inhibition constant (Ki).These findings establish a strong foundation for further in vivo efficacy and combination studies, which will explore the therapeutic potential of this novel inhibitor class.<blockquote><h4>The Original article</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsptsci.5c00707">Potent Competitive Inhibitors of Ecto-5′-nucleotidase (CD73) based on 6-(Het)aryl-7-deazapurine Ribonucleoside 5′-O-Bisphosphonates</a></h4>Ugnė Šinkevičiu̅tė, Magdalena Šímová, Radek Staník, Lenka Poštová Slavětínská, Kristýna Blažková, Pavel Šácha, Martin Lepšík, Jan Řezáč, Jan Konvalinka, Tereza Ormsby, Michal Tichý, Michal HocekACS Pharmacol. Transl. Sci. 2026, 9, 1, 191–213<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsptsci.5c00707">https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsptsci.5c00707</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>CD73 generates immunosuppressive adenosine in the tumor microenvironment and is a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. We have designed and systematically studied diverse 2-substituted 7-deazapurine ribonucleoside 5′-O-bisphosphonates bearing a variety of (het)aryl groups at position 6 and discovered their highly potent and selective CD73 inhibition activity. The most active compounds (with single-digit picomolar Ki) contained bicyclic (het)aryl groups at position 6 in combination with chlorine at position 2. Further optimization of pharmacokinetic properties identified inhibitors with low clearance, long half-life, high solubility, and excellent selectivity over CD39 and NTPDase3. They effectively suppressed adenosine formation in MDA-MB-231 cells, rescued CD8+ T cell activation, and were nontoxic to human fibroblasts. Overall, their profile compares favorably with AB680, a CD73 inhibitor currently in phase I/II clinical trials.</div>

Development of potent inhibitors to boost the immune system's ability to fight cancer

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The Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IOCB Prague) is a leading scientific institution in the Czech Republic, recognized internationally. Its primary mission is basic research in the fields of chemical biology and medicinal chemistry, organic and material oriented chemistry, chemistry of natural compounds, biochemistry and molecular biology, physical chemistry, theoretical chemistry, and analytical chemistry. 

Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences

Organomation, founded in 1959, designs and manufactures high-quality nitrogen evaporators and extraction systems. Known for innovation and durability, their lab instruments are used globally for efficient sample preparation with strong customer support.

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<h3>PFAS and us: The science</h3>
Driving change for a healthier world
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<h4>Enrich your understanding of PFAS chemicals and their impact</h4>
Stay on the leading edge of all things PFAS with this enlightening monthly webinar series on testing workflows and cutting-edge technology that will demystify these “forever chemicals”.
Each month, in these 30-minute sessions, industry thought leaders unite to share the current state of PFAS testing and the far-reaching impact that PFAS have on human health and the environment. Build on your current knowledge of testing methodologies and research techniques that will help you develop your own innovative strategies for precise identification and quantitation. Make a lasting impact and join us for these conversations.
<h4>This Webinar:</h4>
September 11, 2024 10:00 a.m. PT/ 1:00 p.m. ET - Analysis of ultra short-chain PFCAs to better understand environmental sources and fate
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Presenter: Cora J. Young (Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, York University)
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<h4>Other Webinars from the Series:</h4>
April 10, 2024 10:00 a.m. PT/ 1:00 p.m. ET - <a href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/webinar/3865">Examining the exogenous: PFAS and beyond</a>
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Presenter: Andrew Patterson (Vice President, Innovation and Development, Eurofins Environmental Testing America)
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May 8, 2024 10:00 a.m. PT/ 1:00 p.m. ET - <a href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/webinar/3865">Rapid PFAS testing with no compromises: direct-inject analysis</a>
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Presenter: Jamie Fox (PFAS Technical Program Manager, Enthalpy Analytical)
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June 12, 2024 10:00 a.m. PT/ 1:00 p.m. ET - <a href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/webinar/3867">Assessment of advanced analytical instruments to reach required limits of quantitation for PFAS in foods</a>
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Presenter: Susan Genualdi, PhD (Research Chemist, FDA, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Regulatory Science)
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July 17, 2024 10:00 a.m. PT/ 1:00 p.m. ET - <a href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/webinar/3868">Detecting and identifying known and novel per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in a marine apex predator</a>
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Presenter: Carrie McDonough (Assistant Professor, Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University)
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August 14, 2024 10:00 a.m. PT/ 1:00 p.m. ET - <a href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/webinar/3869">Whole blood microsampling methods for PFAS exposure biomonitoring</a>
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Presenter: Andrew J. Morris, PhD (Professor, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Research Career Scientist, Central Arkansas Veterans Affairs Healthcare System)
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Analysis of ultra short-chain PFCAs to better understand environmental sources and fate

Analysis of ultra short-chain PFCAs

<h4>SCIEX OS software summer school</h4>
Master the essentials of SCIEX OS software with our live webinars this summer
Join us for our summer school series dedicated to enhancing your proficiency with SCIEX OS software. Over the course of next months, we offer a series of concise, 30-minute webinars designed to fit into your schedule.
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<li>23 July, 11:00 a.m. CET – Hardware configuration and instrument verification</li>
<li>6 Aug, 11:00 a.m. CET – Compound optimization</li>
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SCIEX OS software summer school - Data processing: screening

Join us for our summer school series dedicated to enhancing your proficiency with SCIEX OS software.

Data processing: screening

Join the MS Imaging SIG for an interactive discussion with authors on experimental design and data pipelines for analysis.
Reference material Nat Methods 20(10):1530-1536. PMCID: PMC10555842
Dr. Rosenberger, and EMBO postdoctoral fellow, will give an educational viewpoint of experimental design ad execution, discussing his results and data analysis in mice.
Caroline Weiss, a PhD student, will discuss transferring automating the developed pipeline for human sample and focus on applications in the clinical context. Dr. Rosenberger and Caroline Weiss work in the laboratory of Matthias Mann at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried, Germany.
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Presenter: Dr. Florian Rosenberger (EMBO)
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Presenter: Caroline Weiss (Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried, Germany)
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US HUPO: Spatial Single-Cell Mass Spectrometry in Liver Tissue Slices: Experimental Design and Pipelines for Analysis

Spatial Single-Cell Mass Spectrometry in Liver Tissue Slices: Experimental Design and Pipelines for Analysis

Join the MS Imaging SIG for an interactive discussion with authors on experimental design and data pipelines for analysis.

Spatial Single-Cell Mass Spectrometry in Liver Tissue Slices

Mass spectrometry (MS)-based omics technologies have revolutionized our understanding of molecular changes in organisms and are crucial for studying metabolism and related diseases through lipidomics and metabolomics.
Despite significant advances, there is still a need for robust analytical methodologies in data acquisition, data processing and annotation.
This webinar will demonstrate how LC-Zeno SWATH DIA outperforms conventional DDA in annotating metabolites and lipids in the model organism Gammarus fossarum. Additionally, the presentation will showcase the effectiveness of electron activated dissociation (EAD) in characterizing lipid species and elucidating metabolite isomers. Finally, the webinar will illustrate how EAD and high-resolution targeted approaches improve structural elucidation and molecular network construction.
Attend this webinar to:
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<li>Learn about the benefits of LC-Zeno SWATH DIA over conventional DDA methods for metabolite and lipid annotation
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<li>Explore the implementation of EAD for enhanced lipid species characterization and metabolite isomer elucidation
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<li>Understand how EAD improves structural elucidation and molecular network construction
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Presenter: Dr. Valentina Calabrese (Postdoctoral Researcher at Institute of Analytical Sciences)
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Valentina Calabrese received her Ph.D. in Analytical and Bioanalytical Sciences at University of Palermo, Italy and is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Analytical Sciences in Lyon, France. During her career, she specialized in high resolution, ultra-high resolution, and ion mobility mass spectrometry for application on fundamental topics and -omics research, such as metabolomics and lipidomics. Her research activity focuses on new method development and unknown compound annotation through high-resolution mass spectrometry and molecular networking in biological complex samples. She is currently involved in the study of sentinel freshwater organisms, as Gammarus fossarum and works on DDA and SWATH DIA methods with CID or EAD fragmentation strategies along with molecular networking construction for improving structural characterization of small molecules.
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Technology Networks: Enhancing MS-Based Omics Analysis in a Model Organism

Enhancing MS-Based Omics Analysis in a Model Organism

How LC-Zeno SWATH DIA outperforms conventional DDA in annotating metabolites and lipids in the model organism Gammarus fossarum.

Multiomic and multimodal spatial data from one tissue sample provides actionable information for disease related insights.
Leverage mass spectrometry in the post-genomic era to move beyond the biological determinants of DNA and RNA.Contextualize biological information with proteins and downstream molecules using an innovative benchtop system optimized for ease-of-use.
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Presenter: Mengzhe Zhang, Ph.D. Candidate, Bernd Bodenmiller Lab, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Presenter: Janina Oetjen, Ph.D., Imaging Applications Scientist, Bruker Daltonics, Bremen, Germany
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Presenter: Kate Stumpo, Ph.D., Senior Market Manager, Bruker Scientific, Billerica, MA, USA
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Bruker:  LabCast: Spatial profiling to transform molecular pathway awareness using neofleX

 LabCast: Spatial profiling to transform molecular pathway awareness using neofleX

The multiomics capabilities of MALDI Imaging.

 LabCast: Spatial profiling to transform molecular pathway

<h4>Rebroadcast of the Live from the Lab: Solutions for Multi-Omics Research from June 13, 2024</h4>
Native nano-DESI mass spectrometry imaging of proteins up to 230 kDa: Advances in proteoform discovery and identification
In this presentation, Prof. Cooper discusses her recent work in developing native ambient mass spectrometry (NAMs) for structural analysis and spatial analysis of proteins.
In this session, you will hear how to
<ul>
<li>identify intact protein assemblies and protein-ligand complexes directly from tissue sections using Native ambient mass spectrometry (NAMs) </li>
<li>understand the structure and function of proteins and their role in complex biological systems </li>
<li>overcome challenges in NAM, including complex mass spectra and low abundance signals Can&#39;t attend the webinar broadcast? No problem! Register anyway and you will automatically receive the link to the recording.</li>
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Presenter: Prof. Helen Cooper (University of Birmingham)
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ThermoFisher Scientific: Advances in proteoform discovery and identification

Advances in proteoform discovery and identification

Native nano-DESI mass spectrometry imaging of proteins up to 230 kDa

With the timsTOF Pro, powered by the PASEF® acquisition modes, Bruker has largely contributed to take proteomics analysis to a new dimension, by removing the need to compromise speed for sensitivity or selectivity, while reaching unprecedented levels of robustness.
Introduced @ ASMS 2024, the timsTOF Ultra 2 is the pinnacle of timsTOF evolution, combining ultimate sensitivity, speed, selectivity and dynamic range with the field-proven legendary timsTOF robustness. During this live from the lab, you will witness through real-life examples how sensitive and versatile the timsTOF Ultra 2 can be.

Bruker: Taking 4D-Proteomics™ to the routinely exceptional with the timsTOF Ultra 2j

Taking 4D-Proteomics™ to the routinely exceptional with the timsTOF Ultra 2

Through real-life examples how sensitive and versatile the timsTOF Ultra 2 can be.

Taking 4D-Proteomics™ to the routinely exceptional

<h3>Session #1 - Advancements in Targeted Quantitation of PFAS</h3>We are thrilled to invite you to our upcoming webinar focused on enhancing laboratory efficiency and accuracy in PFAS analysis. Join us to explore innovative solutions that streamline processes and improve detection capabilities.1. Harnessing the Power of Mass Spectrometry and Automation to Reduce Sample Size, Sample Preparation Time and Increase Laboratory Efficiency of PFAS Analysis for EPA 1633<ul><li>Presented by Kari Organtini</li></ul>EPA Method 1633 is widely used for analyzing PFAS in non-potable water, soils, biosolids, and tissues. This presentation will show how advanced mass spectrometry and automation can significantly reduce sample size, cut down preparation time, and boost overall laboratory efficiency.2. Identification of short chain per and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) using ion ratios with low mass product ions<ul><li>Presented by Stuart Adams</li></ul>As long-chain PFAS are replaced by short and ultrashort-chain alternatives, their detection becomes more challenging. This talk will cover how modified tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry enhances sensitivity, enabling the identification of these difficult-to-detect PFAS compounds using low-mass product ions.3. Evaluation of DESI mounted on Q-TOF and TQ mass spectrometers to image PFAS compounds in different matrices<ul><li>Presented by Emmanuelle Claude</li></ul>Direct analysis with minimum sample preparation as well spatial dimension of PFAS in samples can add simplicity and localization information, to complement state of the art detection and quantification by UHPLC-MRM analysis. Results are presented to evaluate the level of detection of few tens of PFAS compounds that were spotted on porcine liver tissue section, after updating the DESI imaging workflow to minimize external contamination. Several mass spectrometers such as discovery workflow in full scan TOF mode on the MRT and Cyclic mass spectrometers as well as targeted workflow using MRM acquisition mode on the DESI XS Xevo TQ Absolute MS were compared. Finally the benefit of ion mobility separation for the MSI analysis of PFAS is described. 61% and 55% of the PFAS compounds were detected as low as 10 ng/mL spotted on tissue when analyzed by negative mode DESI in discovery full scan MS acquisition mode. The targeted MRM workflow is the most sensitive system with 77% of the PFAS compounds detected as low as 10 ng/mL spotted on tissue.Join us to learn how these technologies are transforming PFAS analysis, helping laboratories meet the growing demand for more efficient and accurate testing.<blockquote>Presenter: Dr. Stuart Adams (Principal Scientist, Market Development, Food and Environmental Applications, Europe, Waters Corporation)Stuart has been developing methods for the determination of contaminants in food and the environment for over 17 years and has been with Waters Corporation since 2018. Stuart's previous role was as a senior analytical chemist at Fera (the UK’s National Reference Laboratory) and moved to Waters to focus on application development in the European region. He now serves as the attached scientist to the European Market Development team responsible for the food and environmental application areas. In his role, he works with customers to understand their analytical challenges and helps address them with Waters technologies.Presenter: Kari Organtini, Ph.D. (Principal Scientist, Food &amp; Environmental, Waters Corporation)Kari Organtini is a senior scientist at WatersCorporation and has been with the company for five years. She received her PhD from Penn State University in 2015 studying the occurrence of dioxins and furans in fire debris and their implications to first responder health. At Waters, Kari is part of the food and environmental applications team. Kari has developed applications using both LC and GC techniques for a variety of applications ranging from pesticides to persistent organic pollutants during her career. She is currently the scientific lead for developing PFAS applications at Waters.Presenter: Emanuelle Claude (Consulting Scientist D&amp;C Imaging, Waters Corporation)Miss Emmanuelle Claude (Master in Fine Chemistry and Business and M.Phil in spectroscopy analysis in organic chemistry and biology) is currently a Consulting scientist in the Scientific Operations Department, Wilmslow, UK.She started at Waters Corporation in October 2000 as an Application Chemist in the Proteomics and Genomics Marketing group, developing automated Peptide Mass Fingerprint (PMF) MS methods using a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer.Over the years she developed several methods in the proteomics analytical space using MALDI TOF and naturally moved in starting the development of Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI) at Waters corporation over 15 years ago.She has been involved with hardware and software R&amp;D to ensure that the solutions are fit-for-purpose for the MSI community and beyond. She has worked extensively with the main MSI leaders in Europe and the US such as Prof Heeren in the Netherlands, Prof Clench, Prof Takats and Bunch in the UK and Prof Caprioli in the US. She has been a Principal Scientist since 2014 and became a Consulting scientist in 2021 and is part of the MS imaging application team at Waters where data are generated for collaborations and marketing activities (i.e. application literature, customer presentation, papers, posters...), hardware and software requirements are defined for the R&amp;D teams. The team evaluates and develops new applications &amp; methods for imaging by both MALDI and DESI mass spectrometry, support sales with customers visit and demonstration laboratory worldwide.Presenter: Ken Rosnack (Principal Market Development Manager, Waters Corporation)Ken Rosnack is a Principal Market Development Manager in the Testing &amp; Lab Services Group for Waters Corporation. His primary focus is within regulated and routine LC-MS/MS environmental market where he is responsible for world-wide strategy implementation and performance. He maintains collaborations within regulatory agencies as well as with global industrial partners. Over his career, Ken has been primary author on numerous publications, been an invited speaker multi-nationally, and has presented at many conferences. He has been involved with MS for the past 40 years.</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: Advancements in Targeted Quantitation of PFAS

Advancements in Targeted Quantitation of PFAS

Learn how technologies are transforming PFAS analysis, helping laboratories meet the growing demand for more efficient and accurate testing.

<h3>Session #2 - Innovative Approaches in HRMS and Software for PFAS Analysis</h3>We are excited to invite you to our upcoming webinar, where we will explore the latest advancements in PFAS analysis through innovative screening methods and technologies. Our expert speakers will cover various approaches to enhance the detection and identification of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).<h4>1. Nontarget Screening workflow (NTS) for the Analysis of Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) using High resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS)</h4><ul><li>Presented by Hania Khoury-Hollins</li></ul>This session will focus on using HRMS as an effective tool to detect both regulated and non-regulated PFAS. We’ll explore the UNIFI™ screening workflow and discuss the use of comprehensive PFAS libraries to improve detection capabilities.<h4>2. Untargeted Screening for PFAS Chemicals Using Comprehensive Feature Detection</h4><ul><li>Presented by Jeff Goshawk</li></ul>Discover how advanced feature detection methods can identify a wide range of PFAS chemicals, including those not covered by traditional reference standards. This talk will highlight techniques to detect novel PFAS-like chemicals, providing a broader understanding of total organic fluorine content in samples.<h4>3. Elevating Specificity and Identification Confidence for PFAS Liquid Chromatography and Cyclic Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry</h4><ul><li>Presented by Michael McCullagh</li></ul>Learn how cyclic ion mobility (cIM) enhances the separation and identification of PFAS isomers. By using this method, we can achieve greater specificity and reduce analysis time, providing insights into PFAS exposure and its potential health impacts.Join us to learn how these cutting-edge approaches are revolutionizing PFAS detection and analysis, offering more accurate and efficient solutions for environmental monitoring and public health protection.<blockquote>Presenter: Hania Khoury-Hollins (Principal Scientist, Waters Corporation)Hania Khoury-Hollins is a scientist and researcher at Waters Corporation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in science, which laid the foundation for her scientific pursuits. In 2001, Hania earned her master’s degree in Toxicology, deepening her understanding of the impact of chemicals on living organisms. In 2005 she successfully defended her Ph.D. in physical chemistry from University René Descartes - Paris V (France). After undertaking several different projects in academia Hania spent some time working at Agilent before joining Waters.At Waters, her work revolves around developing cutting-edge analytical techniques and their applications with a focus on Liquid Chromatography coupled with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Her expertise encompasses a diverse range of applications, including drug development, proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics. More recently, Hania has been developing applications strategies for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).Presenter:&nbsp;Mike McCullagh (Consulting Scientist, Waters Corporation)Michael has worked at Waters Corporation for over 23 years. His main focus has been non-targeted analysis using time of flight mass spectrometry and ion mobility mass spectrometry. Michael has made contributions to various teams, including Food and Environmental, MS Evaluation, Life Science, Scientific Operations, the Advanced Mass Spectrometry Team and currently in Research, Development and Advanced Testing. Research has been performed across multiple application areas including, impurity profiling, pesticide screening, natural products, food analysis, metabolite identification and more recently non-targeted PFAS analysis. Having worn a number of different “hats”, the common thread has been the privileged opportunity to work with new technologies, new informatics solutions and to collaborate with industry and global collaborative partners, to forge a path to new discoveries and contribute to solutions to analytical challenges across multiple disciplines.Presenter:&nbsp;Jeff Goshawk (Consulting Scientist, Waters Corporation)Jeff is a Consulting Scientist at Waters Corporation and has been with the company for twenty-four years. Jeff started his career at Waters as a software developer working on MassLynx and its associated application managers. Jeff subsequently transitioned into the applications development group where he joined the toxicology team as a Principal Scientist. Jeff is now back in the software development world at Waters, and is currently working on the Pattern Analysis Application.Presenter:&nbsp;Frank L. Dorman, PhD, FRSC (Principal Environmental Market Manager, Waters Corporation)Frank Dorman is currently Senior Business Development Manager for Waters focusing on their global environmental business and, concurrently, Associate Professor (adjunct) in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB) at Penn State University in University Park, PA. In his role at Waters, Frank manages the research-focused environmental market, external collaborations and also interfaces with R&amp;D for new product development. Prior to Waters, Frank was employed full-time as a tenure-line Faculty member of Penn State and served as a member of the Graduate Faculty in: Biochemistry, Microbiology and Molecular Biology (BMMB), Chemistry (CHEM) and the Programs in Forensics Science (FRNSC), and Biogeochemistry (BGC). Frank is also a member of the Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis at Penn State. Frank’s scientific interests are in gas and liquid chromatography fundamental characterization, instrumentation and column development, as well and mass spectrometry and atomic spectroscopy as applied to trace analysis in complex sample matrices. This work is directed towards environmental forensics, traditional forensic chemistry and where environmental exposure events may contribute to human disease; an area sometimes referred to as “exposomics”.Prior to joining the faculty at PSU, Frank was at Restek Corporation for 14 years as the Director of Technical Development, and R&amp;D Senior Chemist. During most of this same time, Frank was also an Adjunct Research Professor at Juniata College where he maintained an active undergraduate research program. Prior to that he was at Inchcape Testing Services for 5 years as a Senior Chemist, Organics Section Manager for Sample Preparation and Corporate Methods Development Chemist. As such, Frank has extensive experience in both the Industrial and Academic sectors giving him a relatively rare combination of skills and experience.</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: Innovative Approaches in HRMS and Software for PFAS Analysis

Innovative Approaches in HRMS and Software for PFAS Analysis

Learn how these cutting-edge approaches are revolutionizing PFAS detection and analysis, offering more accurate and efficient solutions.

<div class="summary-section section" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:&quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Frutiger, &quot;Frutiger Linotype&quot;, &quot;Dejavu Sans&quot;, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin-bottom:34px;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">This interactive session will bring together the MS community to discuss some of the most popular and exciting peer-reviewed publications in a friendly and open forum. Ahead of each meeting, we will send out a link to the discussion article, then during the session an expert will summarise the main findings and answer your questions.<h5 style="margin-left:0px;">Be prepared make sure you read&nbsp;<a style="box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(66, 139, 202);text-decoration:none;user-select:auto;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acscentsci.0c00049" fr-original-style="">Native Mass Spectrometry Can Effectively Predict PROTAC Efficacy</a></h5>We're going to be joined by Dr Rebecca Beveridge from the University of Strathclyde, a senior lecturer with a host of experience with development of native ion mobility mass spectrometry methods to study proteins and protein complexes&nbsp;This paper describes how Waters' SYNAPT MS can be utilized&nbsp;demonstrate the strength of native mass spectrometry to delineate the complex binding mechanisms of protein degraders, involving the formation of three-component protein−ligand complexes.<h5 style="margin-left:0px;">Reasons to Attend:</h5><ul style="box-sizing:border-box;margin-bottom:10px;margin-top:0px;"><li style="box-sizing:border-box;">Debate some of the most topical papers from all-time favourites to some of the latest releases &nbsp;</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;">Focus on understanding the benefit of SYNAPT MS and how to get the most out of the system for native mass spectrometry and biomolecule analysis &nbsp;</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;">Gain a greater understanding of applications and technologies by asking questions of the authors and/or expert panel &nbsp;</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;">No pre-recorded content, authors will be LIVE and on camera to answer questions</li></ul>Abstract&nbsp;Protein degraders, also known as proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs), are bifunctional small molecules that promote cellular degradation of a protein of interest (POI). PROTACs act as molecular mediators, bringing an E3 ligase and a POI into proximity, thus promoting ubiquitination and degradation of the targeted POI. Despite their great promise as next-generation pharmaceutical drugs, the development of new PROTACs is challenged by the complexity of the system, which involves binary and ternary interactions between components. Here, we demonstrate the strength of native mass spectrometry (nMS), a label-free technique, to provide novel insight into PROTAC-mediated protein interactions. We show that nMS can monitor the formation of ternary E3-PROTAC-POI complexes and detect various intermediate species in a single experiment. A unique benefit of the method is its ability to reveal preferentially formed E3-PROTAC-POI combinations in competition experiments with multiple substrate proteins, thereby positioning it as an ideal high-throughput screening strategy during the development of new PROTACs<div style="box-sizing:border-box;clear:both;">&nbsp;</div><div class="speaker-fields-container" style="box-sizing:border-box;padding-top:5px;"><div class="section" style="box-sizing:border-box;margin-bottom:34px;"><div class="sp-begin" style="box-sizing:border-box;clear:both;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:14px;"><blockquote><div style="box-sizing:border-box;">Presenter: Dr Rebecca Beveridge (Senior Lecturer, University of Strathclyde)</div><div style="box-sizing:border-box;">&nbsp;</div><div style="box-sizing:border-box;">Rebecca is a Senior Lecturer and UKRI Future Leaders Fellow who joined the University of Strathclyde in June 2020 as a Chancellor's Fellow. She obtained a BSc in biochemistry and chemistry from the University of Leeds in 2011 and completed her PhD at the University of Manchester in 2015. Rebecca spent 4 years at the Institute for Molecular Pathology in Vienna, Austria as a postdoctoral researcher/ Lise Meitner Postdoctoral Fellow. Throughout her career, she has collected experience in a plethora of mass spectrometry methods to study protein structure such as native mass spectrometry, ion mobility, hydrogen-deuterium exchange, and crosslinking.</div>Rebecca’s current research is centered around the development of native ion mobility mass spectrometry methods to study proteins and protein complexes, particularly those that are challenging to study with conventional biochemistry methods.Such systems include intrinsically disordered proteins that exist in a wide range of different shapes, and protein complexes formed by protein-degrading molecules such as PROTACs, the complex binding modes of which are challenging to delineate.</blockquote></div></div></div></div>

Waters Corporation: Native Mass Spectrometry Can Effectively Predict PROTAC Efficacy

Native Mass Spectrometry Can Effectively Predict PROTAC Efficacy

Discuss some of the most popular and exciting peer-reviewed publications in a friendly and open forum.

LCMS webinars focusing on LC/MS - page 51