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

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

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

Industry program at ISC 2026

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

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

Article

Product

Events

Application

Food

Video

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

Recent Advances in Food Analysis (RAFA)

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

Thermo Fisher Scientific

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

International Symposium on Chromatography - (ISC)

Agilent Technologies

Technology Networks

Bruker

C&EN

Shimadzu Corporation

MALDI-MS is a fast, label-free technology for assays in pharmaceutical R&amp;D and chemical biology. Recently, CeMOS has pioneered MALDI-MS based cell assays for drug profiling and screening, in part in a collaboration with a pharma company.
The first part of the webinar will present examples of MALDI-MS phenotypic and mechanistic cell assays. It will cover the discovery of potential cellular drug response markers, characterization of potent fatty acid synthase inhibitors. 
The second part will introduce the use of MALDI-MS instead of radioisotope- or fluorescence-based methods for investigation of cellular drug uptake, assay automation and evaluation of drug-drug interactions mediated by the transporter OATP2B1. Characterization of this transporter, screening of 300 drugs for inhibition of uptake and IC50 calculation for hit compounds will be presented.
<h3>Key Learning Objectives:</h3>
<ul>
<li>MALDI MS cell-based assays are a great label-free analytical tool for the investigation of transport processes</li>
<li>Cell- based screening of inhibitors can be achieved by using a pipetting robot combined with the MPP software on the rapifleX</li>
<li>The identification of substrates and especially inhibitors of transport proteins can reveal possible drug-drug interactions</li>
<li>MALDI MS cell assays can help to identify drug response markers, aid compound profiling, and enable future cell-based screening</li>
</ul>
<h3>Who Should Attend:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Assay development and screening experts in pharmaceutical R&amp;D</li>
<li>Drug safety experts interested in in-vitro profiling of drug-drug interactions</li>
<li>Chemical biologists interested in other, label-free possibilities for analysis of compound action in cells</li>
<li>Mass spectrometry experts with a keen interest in innovative applications of MALDI MS</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Prof. Dr. Carsten Hopf (Professor and Head of CeMOS)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Carsten Hopf is currently professor of bioanalytics and drug discovery at Mannheim Technical University. A trained neurochemist, Carsten obtained his PhD in biochemistry from University of Tübingen in collaboration with the Max-Planck-Institute for Developmental Biology. As an EMBO fellow, he continued his research at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in Baltimore, USA. From 2001 to 2014, he worked at Cellzome (since 2012 part of GlaxoSmithKline), a leading proteomics-based drug discovery company, eventually serving in its leadership team. Since 2005, he is a professor of bioanalytics, enjoying the best of both worlds by building bridges between academia and industry. Carsten heads the Center for Mass Spectrometry and Optical Spectroscopy (CeMOS) in Mannheim. He also serves as spokesman for the Pharma/Diagnostics public-private partnership for innovation M2Aind and is the industry liaison for the German Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Melissa Unger, M.Sc (Scientist at CeMOS)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Melissa Unger received a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in biology from Würzburg University, specializing in Human Genetics and Pharmaceutical Biology. Since 2017 she has been a PhD student at CeMOS, and she has just submitted her PhD thesis to Heidelberg University. She has received the Tony B. Award of the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) for her work on MALDI-MS assays of drug uptake and drug-drug interactions.
</blockquote>

Technology Networks: MALDI-MS-based assays for cellular drug action and transport with rapifleX MPP

MALDI-MS-based assays for cellular drug action and transport with rapifleX MPP

We will also offer a practical example, demonstrating how high spatial resolution MALDI-imaging is being used to identify previously unobserved changes in the lipidome of human colon in the context of inflammatory bowel disease, which provides new insights into the mechanisms of this disease.
<blockquote>
Presenter: José A. Fernández (Professor, Universidad del País Vasco)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Prof. José A. Fernández obtained his Ph. D. in physical chemistry in 1995 in the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), with a study on reactions of carbene radicals in gas-phase. Then, he moved to Colorado State University, where he worked in the characterization of pre-reactive aggregates using LIF and REMPI techniques. In 2001, he returned to the UPV/EHU, thanks to the prestigious Ramon y Cajal program, created to bring back to the Spanish system of Science and Technology outstanding researchers. Upon incorporation to the UPV/EHU, he started a research line in laser spectroscopy of molecular aggregates in jets, which he latter complemented with experiments in ZEKE-PFI and MW spectroscopy. In 2005 he started a second research line in MALDI-Imaging of lipids. Since then, Prof. Fernandez’s group has produced some important results in this field, and has stablished collaboration with multiple institutions in several countries. He is also president of the Spanish division of Atomic and Molecular Physics.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Nazim Boutaghou (Life Science Product Manager, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Nazim Boutaghou is the Life Science Product Manager at Shimadzu Scientific Instruments (SSI). He oversees SSI’s wide portfolio of MALDI instrumentation, including the newly released MALDI Digital Ion Trap. Nazim Boutaghou graduated from a Master in Chemistry with a minor in Biology from the University of Bordeaux 1 (Bordeaux, France) continued with a Master in Business Management from the Bordeaux Institute of Business Administration (IAE). He moved to the US in 2006 to further his knowledge in Analytical Chemistry and Mass Spectrometry, where he joined Dr. Richard Cole’s group at the University of New Orleans. He graduated from his PhD in 2011 and joined Shimadzu in 2013 as an Applications Scientist specialized in MALDI-based analyses.
</blockquote>

Shimadzu ASMS 2020: Mapping Uncharted Territory: MALDI-imaging of Lipids in Tissues 

Mapping Uncharted Territory: MALDI-imaging of Lipids in Tissues 

MALDI mass spectrometry is a technology that allows molecular measurements to be taken directly from tissue surfaces at specified coordinates without requiring antibodies or specialized reagents. This technology is ideally suited to provide molecular information to support and augment pathological decision points. In these experiments, a trained pathologist annotates regions of interest, and mass spectra can be collected directly from those regions. The mass spectrum represents a profile of ions from molecules from discrete locations. This process, called histology-directed mass spectrometry, can be used to augment pathological decision points. By collecting mass spectra from tissues with known pathology, a machine learning classification model can be trained to classify spectra taken from regions of tissue with unknown pathological states.
We will discuss important factors relevant to setting up a clinical assay, including quality control and quality assurance metrics. Finally, we will discuss the performance of our assay for the detection of melanoma from human skin biopsies.
<h3>What you will learn:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Overview of Histology-directed Imaging Mass Spectrometry</li>
<li>Assay development considerations when designing histology-directed IMS experiments </li>
<li>Factors affecting quality control and quality assurance in MALDI-based clinical assays </li>
<li>Case studies of melanoma diagnosed through MALDI IMS and histology-directed IMS</li>
</ul>
<h3>Who should attend:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Pathologists who are considering mass spectrometry-based assays to study or diagnose disease </li>
<li>Mass Spectrometrists who are interested in pursuing diagnostic assays </li>
<li>Scientists who are interested in quality control and quality assurance in MALDI-based assays</li>
</ul>
For Research Use Only. Not for use in clinical diagnostic procedures.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Jessica L. Moore (Director of Mass Spectrometry, Frontier Diagnostics, LLC)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Jessica Moore entered the field of Imaging Mass Spectrometry at Vanderbilt University, where she performed doctoral research at the National Research Resource for Imaging Mass Spectrometry. She currently serves as the Director of Mass Spectrometry at Frontier Diagnostics, where she develops MALDI-based assays for clinical diagnostics.
</blockquote>

Bruker Daltonics: Classification of Invasive Melanoma by Imaging Mass Spectrometry

Classification of Invasive Melanoma by Imaging Mass Spectrometry

Atmospheric pressure (AP) MALDI is broadly used in the high-throughput mass analysis of lipids, peptides, and small molecule as well as MS imaging (MSI) studies. AP-MALDI is an affordable and quickly mounted addition onto MS instruments operating with electrospray ionization sources. Its clear advantage is easy sample handling at the atmospheric conditions along with the use of semi-volatile matrices that can be important in MSI experiments taking hours of instrument operation.
The AP MALDI source developed by MassTech Inc was hyphenated to Agilent 6545, a high-resolution mass spectrometer. Samples were prepared from peptide standards mixed with alpha-CHCA, a MALDI matrix. Limits of detection for peptides were attained at single fmol or sub-fmol levels. Importantly, the isotopic peak intensities followed closely to their theoretical values. This spectral feature is typically not observed in ion trap or FT-ICR instruments. 
AP MALDI MS imaging was demonstrated using tissue-simulating peptide spots. MS imaging experiment typically included an imaging area setup using new Target Next software, data collection using Agilent MS Hunter acquisition software, and data format conversion for using an industry standard imaging visualization software package. MS images with a 30-micron spatial resolution and high S/N ratios for analyte peaks have been demonstrated.
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Vladimir M. Doroshenko, PhD (Chief Executive Officer, MassTech Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<ul>
<li>M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemical Physics from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (1982).</li>
<li>Post-doctoral training in Analytical Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (1991-1993).</li>
<li>Research Scientist, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (1994-1997).</li>
<li>Chief Scientist, Science &amp; Engineering Services Inc., Columbia, MD (1997 – 2014).</li>
<li>Chief Executive Officer, MassTech Inc., Columbia, MD, 2014 - present.</li>
<li>Over 100 publications in peer-reviewed journals, 25 patents.</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Eugene Moskovets, PhD (Principal Scientist, MassTech Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<ul>
<li>B.S. and M.S. in Physics/Biophysics from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.</li>
<li>Ph.D. in Laser Mass Spectrometry from Institute for Spectroscopy (Moscow, Russia) -1994</li>
<li>Post-doctoral training, George Washington University, Wash DC 1997-98</li>
<li>Senior Scientist, Barnett Institute at Northeastern University, Boston MA, 1999-2007</li>
<li>Principal Scientist, MassTech Inc. (Columbia MD) 2007- present.</li>
<li>Over 50 publications in peer-reviewed journals, over 70 conference presentations. 3 patents.</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Richard Lee (Head of Marketing and Business Development, MassTech Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
I am 39 years old, worked for SES and now Masstech, Inc. I have been the head of marketing and business development for a little under 2 years. I graduated from William and Mary with a bachelor’s degree in Economics, and have worked extensively in the investment industry, as well as an accountant.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Characterization of MassTech AP MALDI Source with Agilent 6545 QTOF and 6560 IM-QTOF for MS Imaging

Characterization of MassTech AP MALDI Source with Agilent 6545 QTOF and 6560 IM-QTOF for MS Imaging

Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) combined with tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS) provides a powerful and versatile solution for the molecular characterization of synthetic macromolecules and polymeric materials as well as for imaging the composition and defects of solid polymer surfaces.
The dispersive nature, high mass resolution and sensitivity of the Time-of-Flight mass analysis permit the comprehensive characterization of polymer mixtures and are ideally suitable for monitoring processes that cause even minor mass changes. The MS/MS arrangement allows for elucidation of copolymer sequences and differentiation of polymer architectures, such as macrocyclic vs. linear chains, or variously branched structures. The focusing ability of the laser also allows for the determination of the spatial distributions of analytes or imaging of defects on polymer surfaces. These advantages are further enhanced by interfacing MALDI-MS/MS with Trapped Ion Mobility (TIMS) separation that makes the differentiation of isobars and isomers possible and extends the applicability of MALDI-MS/MS to very complex polymeric mixtures. 
These advantages will be demonstrated with the precise structural analysis of a wide variety of synthetic materials, including large and crosslinked polymers and their additives as well as synthetic polymer surfaces.
<h3>Key Learning Objectives</h3>
<ul>
<li>Learn how to utilize MALDI-MS/MS for precise structural analysis of a wide variety of synthetic materials, including characterization of polymer mixtures and differentiation of polymer architectures</li>
<li>Learn how to utilize MALDI-MS/MS for determination of spatial distributions of analytes or imaging of defects on polymer surfaces</li>
<li>Learn how Trapped Ion Mobility (TIMS) can enhance the capabilities of MALDI-MS/MS even further</li>
</ul>
<h3>Who Should Attend</h3>
<ul>
<li>Laboratory managers</li>
<li>Polymer material scientists</li>
<li>Product developers and managers</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Chrys Wesdemiotis (Professor of Chemistry and Polymer Science, University of Akron)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Moderator: Ann Thayer (Contributing Editor, C&amp;EN Media Group)
</blockquote>

Pixabay/feiern1: MALDI Tandem Mass Spectrometry – the Most Versatile Analytical Tool for Analysis of Polymeric Materials

LCMS webinars focusing on MALDI - page 8