Meeting EU Drinking Water Standards: The Critical Role of Sample Prep in Trace Contaminant Analysis

Although modern agriculture needs to be based on accurate real-time data on soil, plant, and environmental conditions, affordable, sufficiently sensitive, and robust monitoring devices for this purpose are currently missing. According to scientists, low-cost sensors based on new smart materials and printing technologies offer a suitable solution. The results of multidisciplinary research thus far and proposals for the development of these devices have been presented by researchers from Czechia, Great Britain, Spain, and the USA in a review article in the prestigious journal <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-68778-6#Abs1">Nature Communications</a>.“Sensor technologies for monitoring plant health are still in their infancy. Only simple sensors capable of monitoring basic parameters such as pH, soil moisture, or temperature are commonly available on the market. However, if farmers are to face current challenges, including climate change, and ensure sufficient food for humanity, they need much more effective tools that will enable them to monitor, for example, various pathogens, including bacteria and fungi. In our opinion, a suitable solution is a combination of new smart materials and printing for the production of inexpensive, durable, and scalable materials,” said the article’s first author, David Panáček from CATRIN, who worked on the study during his internship at Imperial College London.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CATRIN_Soucasne_senzory_nestaci_Vedci_navrhuji_novou_cestu_ke_sledovani_zdravi_rostlin_b4014952a3.jpg" alt="CATRIN: David Panáček" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CATRIN_Soucasne_senzory_nestaci_Vedci_navrhuji_novou_cestu_ke_sledovani_zdravi_rostlin_b4014952a3.jpg 208w," sizes="100vw" width="1536" height="1152">Sensors for monitoring plant health, for example, lag behind similar devices used in human medicine. According to the authors, advances in materials science, which will enable the development of scalable sensor technologies, play a key role in this potential shift. “Printing techniques, including inkjet printing, screen printing, aerosol printing, 3D printing, and direct laser writing, offer flexible ways to produce flexible sensors, large-area sensors, and sensors integrated directly into plants. The review article summarizes recent advances in printable low-dimensional materials for agricultural sensors, analyzes their physico-chemical properties in relation to sensor performance, and discusses key challenges and future opportunities requiring interdisciplinary integration,” said one of the corresponding authors, Michal Otyepka.The research brought together materials scientists, chemists, biologists, sensing experts, and printing technology specialists. Materials research and the use of graphene-based smart materials were led by scientists from CATRIN at Palacký University and VŠB-Technical University of Ostrava. Plant biologists from CATRIN contributed their knowledge of plant development, their responses to stress conditions, and the monitoring of their properties. Researchers from Imperial College London took care of the electronics, while representatives from<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/companies/36"> CEITEC – VUT</a> focused on printing technologies. The team also included leading experts in sensing from the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Barcelona, and Joseph Wang of the University of California San Diego, the “father of sensing and electrochemistry,” also contributed his extensive knowledge.“This is a groundbreaking study on this topic, which has managed to attract some truly big names in their respective fields. Last but not least, the study demonstrates that interdisciplinarity at CATRIN gives rise to completely new and promising research topics, such as plant sensing and its use for studying plant-environment interactions and smart agriculture,” added another corresponding author, Nuria De Diego.

Current sensors are not good enough. Scientists propose a new way to monitor plant health

In this episode of the Concentrating on Chromatography podcast, host David Oliva interviews Ainslie Chen about her cutting-edge research on hemoglobin variant testing using liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HR-MS). Ainslie discusses her novel method for separating and identifying hemoglobin subunits with mass shifts less than 1 Da, overcoming critical limitations in conventional clinical assays.Hear firsthand how her team developed an LC-HR-MS workflow using a C4 reversed-phase column, tackled technical challenges (including why C18 columns fell short), and achieved unprecedented sensitivity for variant detection in both adult and neonatal samples. The conversation touches on the potential of mass spectrometry to revolutionize clinical diagnostics, the importance of reproducibility, barriers to adoption in routine labs, and how teamwork drives scientific innovation.Perfect for analytical chemists, clinical laboratorians, and anyone interested in the future of protein variant analysis, this episode also features Ainslie’s advice for early-career scientists and insights from her first ACS poster presentation.<h4>Key Highlights:</h4><ul><li>Motivation behind improving hemoglobinopathy testing &nbsp;</li><li>Technical advantages of LC-HR-MS over gene sequencing and CE &nbsp;</li><li>The crucial role of the C4 column in resolving challenging samples &nbsp;</li><li>Critical parameters for reproducible LC-HR-MS workflows &nbsp;</li><li>Barriers and outlook for clinical adoption of advanced mass spectrometry &nbsp;</li><li>The value of teamwork and mentorship in scientific research &nbsp;</li><li>Direct insights from recent ACS conference experiences</li></ul><h3>Video transcription</h3>In this interview, Ainslie Chen discusses her research on improving the detection and identification of hemoglobin variants using liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). The work addresses limitations of conventional hemoglobinopathy testing, which often struggles to resolve very small mass differences between closely related hemoglobin subunits. Because even a single amino-acid substitution can significantly alter hemoglobin structure and function, high analytical resolution is essential for accurate diagnosis of conditions such as anemia and sickle cell disease.Chen explains why her team selected LC-HRMS over established clinical techniques like capillary electrophoresis and gene sequencing. While sequencing offers excellent accuracy, it is time-consuming, costly, and requires extensive sample preparation, making it impractical for routine clinical workflows. Capillary electrophoresis enables subunit separation but lacks the resolving power needed to distinguish variants differing by less than one Dalton. In contrast, high-resolution mass spectrometry provides both structural specificity and sensitivity, enabling confident identification of subtle hemoglobin variants with minimal sample preparation.A key methodological insight from the project was the use of a C4 reversed-phase LC column instead of the more common C18 column. Chen describes how the shorter carbon chain and larger pore size of C4 columns improved protein elution and reduced denaturation, leading to more reproducible separations. Critical parameters for reproducibility included consistent mobile-phase composition (0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile), controlled temperature (60 °C for LC, ~320 °C capillary temperature), and stable chromatographic conditions.Beyond hemoglobin analysis, Chen highlights the broader potential of high-resolution mass spectrometry in proteoform analysis and clinical diagnostics, including emerging applications in cancer detection. She acknowledges current barriers to clinical adoption—such as energy demands and instrument infrastructure—but points to advances like miniaturized mass spectrometers as promising steps toward wider use. The interview concludes with advice for young scientists: don’t hesitate to reach out to mentors, embrace collaboration, and view analytical chemistry as a versatile tool that bridges medicine, biology, environmental science, and beyond.<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>

Unlocking Hemoglobin Variant Detection: LC-HR-MS Breakthrough with Ainslie Chen

Article

Video

Environment

Scientific article

Interview

Science and research

The Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute (CATRIN) at Palacký University is a cutting-edge scientific hub dedicated to advancing research in the fields of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and biomedicine. At its core, CATRIN boasts outstanding scientific teams, featuring international researchers. We emphasize interdisciplinarity, foster global collaborations, and work to translate our research findings into practical applications.

CATRIN

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.

Organomation

Agilent Technologies

Unchained Labs

SelectScience

Applications in the world of UV-Vis instrumentation range from the simple routine measurement (i.e. absorbance at a single wavelength) to the more complex (i.e. thermal melts or in situ absorbance vs time measurements).
The focus of Part I of this two part series will be on entry level and the mid-performance instrumentation and what is needed to make a variety of measurements.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Mark Fisher, PhD (Application Engineer, Molecular Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Mark, an Application Scientist for Agilent Technologies, has over 30 years of experience in molecular spectroscopy. He has held roles in Agilent&#39;s UV-Vis-NIR, fluorescence, and atomic absorption product portfolios. In addition to identifying industry trends and new business needs, Mark&#39;s responsibilities include application development, pre and post-sales support, as well as acting as a customer advocate for new product and technology opportunities. Mark received his doctorate in analytical chemistry from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
</blockquote>

Agilnt Technologies: UV-Vis Instrumentation : From Routine to Advanced Applications Part I

UV-Vis Instrumentation : From Routine to Advanced Applications Part I

The focus of Part I of this two part series will be on entry level and the mid-performance instrumentation and what is needed to make a variety of measurements.

UV-Vis Instrumentation : From Routine to Advanced Apps

...
<blockquote>
Presenter: Scott Melis, PhD (Application Scientist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Scott Melis has a PHD in Physics from Georgetown University in Washington, DC and started with Agilent in 2021 as a Molecular Spectroscopy Application Scientist. In his graduate work, Scott studied nanoparticle formation and growth for a variety of applications. Projects that he worked with include developing processes to deposit and characterize semiconducting molecular nano-cocrystals for use in optoelectronic devices as well as controlling polymer nanoparticle size through rapid mixing conditions.
</blockquote>

Agilnt Technologies: UV/Vis Software Bootcamp

UV/Vis Software Bootcamp

This first session of a four-part ‘Fundamentals of Spectroscopy’ course, will examine core concepts essential to understanding common optical spectroscopy methods.
In this session, Adam Wise, and applications specialist from Andor will explain how light – an electromagnetic wave – passes through, bounces off, gets absorbed by, and is made by, atoms, molecules and solids. This session is in no way designed to replace a long and rigorous course of study, but instead tries to show a physical model of the language used to describe spectroscopy, as well as define a common vocabulary that will be relied on as the course continues.
Key learning objectives
<ul>
<li>Understand that what a spectrometer ‘sees’ differs from our perception of color, both in terms of finer resolution, and no hard limits on the energies of light that can be detected</li>
<li>Discover a simple but meaningful model of how the electric field of light interacts with electrical charges in atoms and molecules</li>
<li>Recognize how the wavelength and energy of light relate to different size scales and emission/absorption processes within atoms, molecules, and bulk matter</li>
</ul>
Who should attend?
<ul>
<li>Academic Researcher</li>
<li>R&amp;D Scientist</li>
<li>Lab Technician</li>
<li>Principal Investigator</li>
<li>Laboratory Manager</li>
<li>Manager</li>
<li>Postdoctoral Research Assistant</li>
<li>Corporate Manager</li>
<li>PhD Student</li>
<li>Undergraduate Student</li>
<li>Engineer or Software Engineer</li>
<li>Teaching Fellow</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Adam Wise (Andor Technology)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Adam Wise is an applications scientist at Andor Technology, specializing in spectroscopy and scientific cameras. He earned his PhD working with John Grey at the University of New Mexico, studying Raman spectroscopy of organic semiconductors. After his postdoctoral research at UMass Amherst, Wise entered the field of optical instrumentation, and continues to support research by helping scientists get the right cutting-edge tools.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Georgina Wynne Hughes (Editorial Team)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Georgina studied at Birmingham University where she gained a BSc in Biomedical Science, and an MSc by Research in Cancer and Genomic Sciences, which focused on defective autophagy in rare neurodegenerative diseases. As a member of the Editorial team, she now plays an integral role in shaping the content on SelectScience.
</blockquote>

SelectScience: The basic physics of spectroscopy: Light-matter interaction for fun and profit

The basic physics of spectroscopy: Light-matter interaction for fun and profit

‘Fundamentals of Spectroscopy’ course, will examine core concepts essential to understanding common optical spectroscopy methods.

The basic physics of spectroscopy: Light-matter interaction

Agilent&#39;s easy-to-use software allows for the quick setup of both requisite user restrictions and experimental methods in a 21 CFR compliant environment. New additions to the Cary 3500&#39;s software expand capability for data storage and method approval.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Scott Melis, PhD (Application Scientist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Scott Melis has a PHD in Physics from Georgetown University in Washington, DC and started with Agilent in 2021 as a Molecular Spectroscopy Application Scientist. In his graduate work, Scott studied nanoparticle formation and growth for a variety of applications. Projects that he worked with include developing processes to deposit and characterize semiconducting molecular nano-cocrystals for use in optoelectronic devices as well as controlling polymer nanoparticle size through rapid mixing conditions.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Improved Testing in Pharma Products

21 CFR Compliance for the Cary 3500 UV-Vis Spectrometer through Openlab Enterprise Content Management (ECM)

ew additions to the Cary 3500's software expand capability for data storage and method approval.

21 CFR Compliance Cary 3500 UV-Vis Openlab ECM

In this third session of a four-part ‘Fundamentals of Spectroscopy’ course, having previously covered the ‘why’, we’ll now focus on the ‘how’. There is currently a dizzying array of tools available for spectroscopy, but the fundamental goal remains the same.
Here we will discuss the current state-of-the-art common spectroscopy components – spectrometers, detectors, and associated optics – as well as their historical development. We will discuss some of the technological breakthroughs that have made the heroic measurements of yesterday commonplace practice today, as well as how different equipment has evolved to suit the particular needs of different experiments.
Key learning objectives
<ul>
<li>Discover the function of a spectrograph and how the earliest spectrographs achieved this</li>
<li>Understand the difference between a prism and grating spectrograph and learn why grating spectrographs are significantly more common</li>
<li>Consider what is meant by “dispersion” in a spectrometer, what is spectral resolution, and how the two concepts relate to each other</li>
</ul>
Who should attend?
<ul>
<li>Academic researchers</li>
<li>R&amp;D scientists</li>
<li>Lab technicians</li>
<li>Principal investigators</li>
<li>Laboratory, facilities or corporate managers</li>
<li>Postdoctoral research assistants</li>
<li>Undergraduate and PhD students</li>
<li>Engineers or software engineers</li>
<li>Teaching fellows</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Adam Wise (Andor Technology)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Adam Wise is an applications scientist at Andor Technology, specializing in spectroscopy and scientific cameras. He earned his PhD working with John Grey at the University of New Mexico, studying Raman spectroscopy of organic semiconductors. After his postdoctoral research at UMass Amherst, Wise entered the field of optical instrumentation, and continues to support research by helping scientists get the right cutting-edge tools.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Georgina Wynne Hughes (Editorial Team)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Georgina studied at Birmingham University where she gained a BSc in Biomedical Science, and an MSc by Research in Cancer and Genomic Sciences, which focused on defective autophagy in rare neurodegenerative diseases. As a member of the Editorial team, she now plays an integral role in shaping the content on SelectScience.
</blockquote>

SelectScience: Optimizing equipment for optical spectroscopy

Optimizing equipment for optical spectroscopy

In this third session of a four-part ‘Fundamentals of Spectroscopy’ course, having previously covered the ‘why’, we’ll now focus on the ‘how’.

During this second session of a four-part ‘Fundamentals of Spectroscopy’ course, we will break down some common spectroscopic techniques (UV/VIS absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and Raman scattering amongst others), examine how they work at a relatively low level, and discuss what they can be used to learn in different situations. We will pay special attention to the historical developments of these techniques, particularly the scientific and economic motivations that drove the people who created and refined them.
Key learning objectives
<ul>
<li>Understand the concept of absorption spectroscopy, the design of an absorption spectrometer, and see how UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy can be used in quantifying protein concentration.
</li>
<li>Differentiate between the different types of luminescence, specifically photoluminescence vs. fluorescence and understand the basics of fluorescence and phosphorescence spectrometers. Become familiar with applications using time-resolved fluorescence, solvatochromic shifts and Förster resonance energy transfer.
</li>
<li>Learn the basics of Raman spectroscopy, and the design of a Raman spectrometer. Understand the units used in Raman spectroscopy and learn how Raman specificity can be used to measure various physical and chemical properties in materials.
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter Shayne Harrel (Andor Technology)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Shayne Harrel is a spectroscopy specialist for the Americas at Andor. He holds a PhD in physical chemistry from Yale University where he studied dynamical processes in charge transfer systems, magnetic materials and semiconductors using time-resolved terahertz spectroscopy. Prior to joining Andor, he was a senior applications engineer at MKS Instruments and has held previous positions as Chief Scientist-Americas for Izon Science, Senior Applications Scientist for Olympus Corporation, and as a chemist for the US Food and Drug Administration.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter Georgina Wynne Hughes (Editorial Team)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Georgina studied at Birmingham University where she gained a BSc in Biomedical Science, and an MSc by Research in Cancer and Genomic Sciences, which focused on defective autophagy in rare neurodegenerative diseases. As a member of the Editorial team, she now plays an integral role in shaping the content on SelectScience.
</blockquote>

SelectScience: Spectroscopy techniques in practice: Methods and motivations

Spectroscopy techniques in practice: Methods and motivations

We will break down UV/VIS absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and Raman scattering amongst others and examine how they work.

UV-VIS typical maintenance and some common validation tests will be discussed.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Scott Melis, PhD (Application Scientist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Scott Melis has a PHD in Physics from Georgetown University in Washington, DC and started with Agilent in 2021 as a Molecular Spectroscopy Application Scientist. In his graduate work, Scott studied nanoparticle formation and growth for a variety of applications. Projects that he worked with include developing processes to deposit and characterize semiconducting molecular nano-cocrystals for use in optoelectronic devices as well as controlling polymer nanoparticle size through rapid mixing conditions.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Maintaining Your UV-VIS Spectrometer

Maintaining Your UV-VIS Spectrometer

UV-VIS typical maintenance and some common validation tests will be discussed.

When creating nanoparticles as fast as possible, researchers need analytical techniques which keep up. Whether that means keeping up with tons of new particle varieties or just being able to run batch after batch made during process optimization, gathering payload concentration and nanoparticle size data always sucks up lots of time. Current methods for quantification are often complex, requiring standard curves and breaking down your particle. Getting size information is usually a slow one-at-a-time job and consumes high volumes of sample.Stunner now does the heavy lifting for you to produce high-throughput, non-destructive nanoparticle quant and sizing. Stunner’s intelligent UV/Vis-based quantification measures your payload as-is, without dyes or destructive workflows, and pairs it with high-throughput DLS to deliver size and aggregation info – all on just 2 µL of sample. In this webinar, we’ll show you how easy it is to customize the quantification of your nanoparticle, no matter what’s loaded inside: RNA, DNA, protein, or small molecules. Step up your nanoparticle characterization game with reagent-free, standard-free, and hassle-free quant and sizing on Stunner.<blockquote>Presenter:&nbsp;Nelis Denys (Product Manager, Unagi, Unchained Labs)Moderator: Kevin Lance PhD (Marketing Manager, Analytical Instruments, Unchained Labs)</blockquote>

Unchained Labs: Level up your nanoparticle quant and sizing on Stunner

Level up your nanoparticle quant and sizing on Stunner

Speed up nanoparticle quant and sizing with Stunner. Get fast, non-destructive data on size and payload from just 2 µL—no dyes, no standards, no hassle.

<h5>The Problem:</h5>Wringing every drop of data from a tiny sample volume of your AAV can be the difference between understanding what’s really going on with your sample and leaving questions unanswered. In AAV characterization, there’s always a need for rapid answers on metrics like capsid titer, genome titer, empty/full ratio, aggregation, and total protein or DNA quant. Together all that data can paint the picture of what’s going on in your sample and your process, but with so many characterization options available knowing how they all stack up can make it a challenge to pick the right analytical tool.<h5>The Solution:</h5>To get the most data from the smallest sample volume, Stunner combines UV/Vis, static and dynamic light scattering (SLS &amp; DLS) to give a full read-out in about a minute on just 2 µL of AAV sample. Uniting these three techniques creates a uniquely robust approach to a classic light scattering method that goes toe-to-toe with other techniques. In this webinar we’ll cover how Stunner is being used and published to show how it stacks up in the world of AAV analytics and process development.<h5>The Proof:</h5>We’ll check out how Stunner’s technologies provide a robust method useful for rapid sample QC, optimizing downstream purification chromatography, and improving the workflow of other common analytical assays. Whether you’re working with fractions, coming off a purification column or trying to pick the best sample for a sample-hungry assay, we’ll show data and case studies on how well Stunner can accelerate your AAV characterization to save you sample and time.<blockquote>Presenter:&nbsp;Kevin Lance PhD (Marketing Manager, Analytical Instruments, Unchained Labs)Moderator: Martha Perez, PhD (Marketing Director, LNP Solutions, Unchained Labs)</blockquote>

Unchained Labs: Uncover way more AAV data in one shot on Stunner

Uncover way more AAV data in one shot on Stunner

Need more data from less AAV? See how Stunner delivers genome titer, empty/full ratio, and more in 2 µL—fast, accurate analytics without draining your sample.

<h5>The Problem&nbsp;</h5>Working with ADCs can really be a nightmare. They are sticky and throw up a fight when you try to characterize them: first you never have enough for all tests you need to run and then they are likely to aggregate before you have a chance to complete your testing.<h5>The Solution&nbsp;</h5>Unchained Labs is all about providing solutions that only need a few microliters of sample, combine a bunch of measurements into one experiment and get you your data fast. Stunner quantifies proteins and labelling efficiency, plus it gauges sample quality by assessing aggregates. Uncle monitors stability of your biologic and is your go-to when testing formulations, both in quick thermal ramps and in long term isothermal tests. Honeybun treats you to viscosity data with small volumes and takes no time. Sweet.<h5>The Proof&nbsp;</h5>Join our webinar and check out concentration, labeling, stability, and viscosity data of a mAb and its conjugate. We'll show you how to use Unchained Labs tools to squeeze all that info from only a couple of microliters of sample – to give you the full scoop, and no nightmares. &nbsp;<blockquote>Presenter:&nbsp;Andree Mueller (Senior Product Manager for Aunty and Honeybun, Unchained Labs)</blockquote>

Unchained Labs: Get the full scoop on your ADC from microliters

Get the full scoop on your ADC from microliters

Join our webinar and check out concentration, labeling, stability, and viscosity data of a mAb and its conjugate. 

LCMS webinars focusing on UV-Vis - page 8