<h4>Continuing the conversation on toxicology innovation</h4>In our ongoing toxicology blog series, we’ve explored sample preparation strategies, cutting-edge HRAM methods, innovative PaperSpray MS techniques, and productivity boosters for toxicology labs. Now, let’s take a deep dive into one of the most commonly requested yet technically challenging areas of forensic toxicology—accurate, efficient detection of THC and its metabolites.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Behind_the_Bench_Tips_to_Simultaneously_Analyze_THC_Its_Metabolites_and_Other_Drugs_of_Abuse_Using_LC_MS_84c59fe1e6.jpg" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific: Behind the Bench - Tips to Simultaneously Analyze THC, Its Metabolites, and Other Drugs of Abuse Using LC-MS" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Behind_the_Bench_Tips_to_Simultaneously_Analyze_THC_Its_Metabolites_and_Other_Drugs_of_Abuse_Using_LC_MS_84c59fe1e6.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="512"><h3>The challenge: THC’s lipophilic nature and matrix effects</h3>Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) remains one of the most frequently detected drugs in forensic testing after alcohol. Yet, its strong lipophilic properties make reliable measurement by LC-MS particularly challenging. THC and its metabolites tend to adhere to nonpolar surfaces of consumables and biological matrices, often leading to signal loss or inconsistent recovery.The latest Thermo Fisher Scientific smart note demonstrates how strategic sample handling and consumable selection can mitigate these challenges. By maintaining methanol (MeOH) in every step of the extraction process—from collection through elution—analysts can prevent THC adsorption and improve recovery. For example, increasing MeOH content during sample prep and using a 30% MeOH wash step helped boost signal strength dramatically.<h3>Extraction optimization: simple tweaks, big gains</h3>The study’s workflow employed DPX XTR tips with mixed-mode SCX/WAX chemistry, analyzed on the Thermo Scientific <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products/744">Vanquish Horizon UHPLC system </a>and Thermo Scientific <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products/1149">Stellar mass spectrometer</a>. Four small but impactful changes—raising MeOH concentration, adjusting the SPE wash, switching to a biphenyl column, and altering the solvent reconstitution order—resulted in a sevenfold increase in THC signal intensity (Figure 1).<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Behind_the_Bench_Tips_to_Simultaneously_Analyze_THC_Its_Metabolites_and_Other_Drugs_of_Abuse_Using_LC_MS_2_ae1c729642.jpg" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific: Behind the Bench: Tips to Simultaneously Analyze THC, Its Metabolites, and Other Drugs of Abuse Using LC-MS: Figure 1. THC signal in extracted oral fluid sample before and after changes were made to increase signal by 7x." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Behind_the_Bench_Tips_to_Simultaneously_Analyze_THC_Its_Metabolites_and_Other_Drugs_of_Abuse_Using_LC_MS_2_ae1c729642.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="800" height="334">These incremental adjustments underscore how critical it is to balance organic composition and consumable materials for each matrix type. For oral fluid assays, using silanized glass vials and incorporating Quantisal™ collection buffers can also prevent degradation and significantly improve stability—up to 150× higher THC signal compared to common buffers (Figure 2).<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Behind_the_Bench_Tips_to_Simultaneously_Analyze_THC_Its_Metabolites_and_Other_Drugs_of_Abuse_Using_LC_MS_3_7fc8699115.jpg" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific: Behind the Bench: Tips to Simultaneously Analyze THC, Its Metabolites, and Other Drugs of Abuse Using LC-MS: Figure 2. Extracted ion chromatogram of THC using common oral fluid buffer compared to Quantisal extraction buffer." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Behind_the_Bench_Tips_to_Simultaneously_Analyze_THC_Its_Metabolites_and_Other_Drugs_of_Abuse_Using_LC_MS_3_7fc8699115.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="800" height="276"><h3>Ensuring stability and recovery</h3>Beyond extraction, analyte stability is another make-or-break factor. THC degrades quickly in standard plastic vials or at room temperature but can remain stable 6–12 months when stored at –20°C in sodium heparin tubes. The Smart Note also provides practical recovery assessments for extraction development, including dry down tests and sequential elution testing, to ensure that each analyte is retained through every stage of the workflow.By quantifying pre- and post-extraction spikes, analysts achieved high percent drug recovery and low LOQ’s across a 31-drug oral fluid panel, meeting or exceeding clinical cutoff requirements.<h3>Isomer separation: Δ⁸-THC vs. Δ⁹-THC</h3>With emerging cannabinoids on the market, separating Δ⁸-THC and Δ⁹-THC is increasingly important. The note highlights that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products?category=346&amp;manufacturerItems=3&amp;search=pfp">Pentafluorophenyl (PFP) columns</a>—paired with a water/methanol mobile phase containing 0.1% formic acid—can efficiently resolve these isomers. Using a Vanquish Horizon UHPLC coupled to a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products/403">Thermo Scientific™ Orbitrap Exploris™ 120 MS</a>, researchers achieved clear chromatographic separation (Figure 3).<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Behind_the_Bench_Tips_to_Simultaneously_Analyze_THC_Its_Metabolites_and_Other_Drugs_of_Abuse_Using_LC_MS_4_cf9379f345.jpg" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific: Behind the Bench: Tips to Simultaneously Analyze THC, Its Metabolites, and Other Drugs of Abuse Using LC-MS: Figure 3. Extracted ion chromatogram of Δ8-THC-COOH and Δ9-THC-COOH separation." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Behind_the_Bench_Tips_to_Simultaneously_Analyze_THC_Its_Metabolites_and_Other_Drugs_of_Abuse_Using_LC_MS_4_cf9379f345.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="800" height="328"><h3>The takeaway: Building a robust, reliable THC assay</h3>The bottom line? Including THC and its metabolites within a broader LC-MS drug panel is not only cost-effective but also critical to modern toxicology workflows. With deliberate choices in solvent composition, consumables, column chemistry, and buffer systems, laboratories can dramatically enhance recovery and detection reliability.These “behind the bench” optimizations, rooted in real-world forensic workflows, illustrate how small procedural changes can deliver big performance improvements.<h3>Continue your toxicology journey</h3>Stay tuned for the next post in our Analyte Guru series and learn more on our website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/content/lifetech/global/en/home/industrial/forensics/forensic-toxicology.html">Forensic Toxicology</a>.<h3>Resources</h3><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/content/lifetech/global/en/home/industrial/forensics/forensic-toxicology/drug-screening-confirmation/workflows.html">Drug screening and confirmation workflows</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products/1149">Stellar Mass Spectrometer</a> &amp; <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products/403">Orbitrap Exploris 120 MS</a> webpages</li><li>Promotions<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/content/lifetech/global/en/home/o/b/clinical-lcms-discounts.html">Save up to 40% on complete LC-MS toxicology configurations</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/content/lifetech/global/en/home/industrial/mass-spectrometry/mass-spectrometer-price-affordability-programs.html">Mass spectrometer affordability programs</a><ul><li>Refurbished MS</li><li>Trade-in</li><li>Financing/ leasing</li></ul></li></ul></li><li>Past blogs in this series<ul><li>Sample prep – <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/article/6189">Sample Preparation Strategies Demystified: Choosing the Right Fit for Your Toxicology Workflow</a></li><li>Tox Explorer – <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/article/6587">Beyond Blood: Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Develops HRAM-Powered Method for Post-Mortem Toxicology Analysis</a></li><li>VeriSpray – <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/article/6860">Advancing Drug Analysis with PaperSpray MS</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/article/6953">Boosting Productivity in Toxicology Labs</a></li></ul></li><li>On-demand workshop – <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/webinar/4735">Next-Generation Workflows for Small Molecule Quantitation Using the Thermo Scientific Stellar Mass Spectrometer</a></li><li>Featured content: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/sn_004171_cl_lsms_stellar_thc_sn004171_na_en_62724465f8.pdf">Tips and tricks smartnote</a></li></ul><blockquote>Visit us on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/72003132/admin/dashboard/">LinkedIn:</a>&nbsp;#THC #LCMS #DrugsOfAbuse #DoA</blockquote>

Behind the Bench: Tips to Simultaneously Analyze THC, Its Metabolites, and Other Drugs of Abuse Using LC-MS

<h1>Eluent Preheating in Preparative HPLC: Why It Matters and What It Improves</h1>In preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), where large-format columns and elevated flow rates are routinely used, temperature control becomes a decisive factor for achieving reliable separation performance. Although many HPLC systems are equipped with column ovens to regulate column temperature, heating the mobile phase before it reaches the column is often just as important. If the incoming eluent is significantly cooler than the column, thermal imbalance can occur, leading to temperature gradients, lower separation efficiency, and compromised peak shapes.This article explains why eluent preheating is important in preparative HPLC and summarizes the practical advantages it offers. It also presents the role of KNAUER Heating Sleeves and the KNAUER High Flow Eluent Heater, both of which are designed to provide stable and controlled thermal conditions in preparative LC workflows.<h3>Why Eluent Preheating Is Important in Preparative HPLC</h3><h4>Larger column dimensions and thermal gradients</h4>Preparative HPLC columns usually have much larger inner diameters than analytical columns. As the column diameter increases, it becomes more difficult for a conventional column oven, which heats the column from the outside, to heat the full column cross-section evenly. This challenge becomes even more pronounced when room-temperature solvent continuously enters the column and cools its internal core.When a cold mobile phase enters a heated column, it can create a radial temperature gradient: the outer part of the column remains warmer, while the center stays cooler. As a result, different parts of the column operate under different temperature conditions. This affects solvent viscosity, retention behavior, and mass transfer, causing analytes to migrate unevenly through the column bed. The practical consequence is often peak broadening, distortion, or loss of resolution.<h4>Effects on peak shape and chromatographic efficiency</h4>If the eluent temperature does not match the column temperature, column performance can deteriorate substantially. In one reported example using a 4 mm ID column under fast UHPLC conditions, a radial thermal gradient reduced the effective plate count by more than 50%, severely affecting the separation.In preparative HPLC, the risk is even greater because columns often have inner diameters of 20 mm, 50 mm, or even 100 mm. Experiments with a 20 mm ID preparative column showed that running at 40 °C without mobile phase preheating resulted in poor peak shapes. Only when the mobile phase was preconditioned to the same temperature as the column did the peaks become sharp and symmetric again.This clearly shows that temperature mismatches can cause severe band broadening or even peak splitting, while proper preheating helps preserve peak integrity.<h4>Frictional heating at high flow rates</h4>Preparative HPLC also operates at much higher flow rates than analytical methods, which can generate significant frictional heat inside the column. The amount of heat generated is related to the product of pressure and flow rate. In practical terms, 800 bar at 1 mL/min can generate a similar heating effect as 400 bar at 2 mL/min.In preparative chromatography, pressures may be lower, for example 100–200 bar, but flow rates can reach 10–50 mL/min or more. This means that frictional heating can still be considerable. If the incoming solvent is much cooler than the column, the internally generated heat may intensify temperature differences both along the column and across its radius. Therefore, even at moderate pressure, very high flow rates require careful thermal management.Without eluent preheating, a preparative column operated at elevated temperature may suffer from:<ul><li>Radial temperature differences between the column core and the column wall, resulting in non-uniform separation conditions</li><li>Lower efficiency and resolution due to thermally induced band broadening</li><li>Poor peak shapes, including tailing, fronting, or peak splitting caused by uneven temperature distribution</li><li>Variable retention times, because different regions of the column effectively operate at different temperatures</li><li>Potentially increased backpressure, since colder solvent entering a heated column has higher viscosity until it reaches thermal equilibrium</li></ul>These issues demonstrate why mobile phase preheating is often necessary in preparative HPLC. It ensures that the solvent enters the column at, or close to, the target column temperature, reducing thermal shock and minimizing temperature gradients.<h3>Benefits of Eluent Preheating</h3>Preheating the eluent helps establish stable and uniform thermal conditions throughout the chromatographic system. This provides several important advantages.<h5>Sharper peaks and improved efficiency</h5>When the mobile phase is heated to match the column temperature, the column operates under near-isothermal conditions. This minimizes radial thermal gradients and allows the entire sample band to travel through a consistent separation environment. As a result, peak shape improves, band broadening is reduced, and separation efficiency increases. This is especially important for large-diameter preparative columns.<h5>Reproducible retention times</h5>Retention times are sensitive to temperature. Preheating the mobile phase helps keep the entire column, from inlet to outlet, at a stable and defined temperature. This improves run-to-run reproducibility and supports reliable method transfer and scale-up.<h5>Avoidance of thermal mismatch effects</h5>A controlled thermal environment prevents problems that occur when cold solvent enters a hot column. These include distorted peak shapes, irregular peak profiles, and peak splitting. Optimal results require not only heating the column itself, but also equilibrating the complete flow path. A preheated eluent ensures that the conditions at the column inlet match the conditions inside the column.<h5>Lower solvent viscosity and reduced backpressure</h5>Heating the mobile phase reduces solvent viscosity. A warmer solvent flows more easily through the column, which can lower system backpressure. This is particularly useful in preparative HPLC, where high flow rates and viscous solvent mixtures may otherwise approach pump pressure limits. Reduced viscosity can also improve mass transfer kinetics and may support faster, more efficient separations.<h5>Better performance and higher throughput</h5>With improved peak shape, better resolution, and potentially higher flow rates, preparative productivity can increase. Larger sample amounts can be processed more efficiently without sacrificing separation quality. Stable temperature control also improves method robustness, which is especially valuable in regulated environments and scale-up workflows.In short, eluent preheating is not only a convenient enhancement. In many preparative HPLC applications, it is essential for achieving stable, reproducible, and high-quality separations.<h4>Preparative HPLC With and Without Eluent Preheating</h4><h5>Column temperature profile</h5><ul><li>Without preheating: Significant radial and axial temperature gradients may form. The center of the column can remain cooler than the outer region.</li><li>With eluent preheating: Temperature is more uniform throughout the column, with minimal radial gradients.</li></ul><h5>Peak shape and efficiency</h5><ul><li>Without preheating: Peaks may become broadened, tailing, fronting, or split due to thermal mismatch and uneven analyte migration. Efficiency can be strongly reduced.</li><li>With eluent preheating: Peaks remain sharper and more symmetric. Band broadening is minimized and the column can deliver its full efficiency potential.</li></ul><h5>Retention time stability</h5><ul><li>Without preheating: Retention times can become less predictable because the solvent warms inside the column during the run.</li><li>With eluent preheating: Retention times are highly reproducible due to stable isothermal conditions.</li></ul><h5>Backpressure</h5><ul><li>Without preheating: Backpressure may initially be higher because cold solvent has greater viscosity when it enters the heated column.</li><li>With eluent preheating: Backpressure is lower and more consistent because solvent viscosity is reduced before column entry.</li></ul><h5>Throughput and sample load</h5><ul><li>Without preheating: Operating conditions may need to be more conservative to avoid thermal effects, limiting flow rate or loading.</li><li>With eluent preheating: Higher flow rates and larger loads can often be used while maintaining chromatographic performance.</li></ul>By solving these thermal challenges, eluent preheating helps protect separation quality and allows users to fully exploit the capabilities of preparative columns.<h4>KNAUER Heating Sleeves for Uniform Column Temperature</h4>KNAUER Heating Sleeves are designed to maintain stable column temperature across the full column body, particularly for large preparative columns that may not fit into standard column ovens. These flexible heaters wrap directly around the column and provide uniform heat along its length.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_column_heating_sleeves_94659add66.jpg" alt="KNAUER: Column heating sleeves" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_column_heating_sleeves_94659add66.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1306" height="657">They can thermostatically control column temperature up to 100 °C and are suitable for very large columns, up to 1000 mm in length and 100 mm ID. This makes them highly suitable for preparative applications, where column dimensions are often customized and difficult to accommodate in conventional thermostatted compartments.<h5>Key features and advantages include:</h5><ul><li>Direct and uniform heating for large columns: Heating sleeves transfer heat directly to the column wall, unlike air-based ovens that may struggle with larger column diameters. This helps eliminate cold spots and improves temperature consistency.</li><li>Custom fit and broad compatibility: KNAUER Heating Sleeves are available in standard sizes and can also be manufactured for specific column dimensions. They can accommodate preparative columns up to 100 cm in length and 10 cm in diameter.</li><li>Temperature range up to 100 °C: This covers the typical temperature range used in HPLC method development and preparative purification. Elevated temperatures, such as 50–80 °C, can improve separation behavior and reduce solvent viscosity.</li><li>Improved chromatographic performance: By maintaining the column at the desired temperature, the sleeves help reduce solvent viscosity, lower backpressure, and improve mass transfer. This can support more efficient preparative separations.</li><li>Easy installation and flexible setup: Heating sleeves are compact and easy to mount. They do not require bulky oven hardware and can be used in flexible system configurations.</li></ul>When combined with an eluent preheater, a column heating sleeve helps ensure that both the mobile phase and column remain thermally equilibrated throughout the separation.<h4>KNAUER High Flow Eluent Heater for Pre-Column Temperature Control</h4>While the heating sleeve controls the temperature of the column itself, the KNAUER High Flow Eluent Heater heats the mobile phase before it reaches the column inlet. Devices such as the AZURA® ELH 2.1L Eluent Heater are specifically designed for the high flow rates used in preparative LC.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Knauer_AZURA_ELH_2_1_L_High_Flow_Eluent_Heater_Single_Channel_with_One_Column_Heating_Plug_2_508f4955cd.jpg" alt="Knauer: AZURA® ELH 2.1L High-Flow Eluent Heater Single Channel, with One Column Heating Plug" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Knauer_AZURA_ELH_2_1_L_High_Flow_Eluent_Heater_Single_Channel_with_One_Column_Heating_Plug_2_508f4955cd.jpg 237w," sizes="100vw" width="1015" height="669">The eluent heater is typically installed after the pump and injector. As the mobile phase passes through the heating coil, it is brought to the target temperature before entering the column. This prevents a cold solvent front from disturbing the thermal equilibrium of the column.<h5>Important features and advantages include:</h5><ul><li>Support for high flow rates: The device is designed for preparative-scale flow rates up to 300 mL/min, covering a wide range of semi-preparative and preparative applications.</li><li>Wide temperature range: The heater can bring eluents up to 100 °C, providing flexibility for method optimization and viscosity reduction.</li><li>Dual eluent channels: Depending on the configuration, the system can heat two solvent streams in parallel, which is useful for binary solvent systems or dual-column setups.</li><li>Column sleeve integration: The AZURA ELH 2.1L can control the temperature of up to two eluents and support two column heating sleeves, allowing coordinated thermal management of both solvent and column.</li><li>Precise temperature control with low dead volume: The device uses efficient heating coil cartridges designed to minimize dispersion. External PT100 sensors can monitor temperatures at key points, such as the column inlet and outlet.</li><li>Software and touchscreen control: The heater integrates with KNAUER AZURA preparative HPLC systems and can be controlled via PurityChrom® software or through an integrated 5.7” color touchscreen.</li><li>Cleanroom-compatible version: KNAUER also offers versions suitable for cleanroom environments, supporting eluent preheating and column sleeve control in one device.</li></ul>By heating the mobile phase before it reaches the column, the High Flow Eluent Heater prevents sudden temperature drops at the column inlet and reduces the formation of thermal profiles inside the column.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Eluent preheating is a critical factor in preparative HPLC, where large column dimensions and high flow rates make temperature control more challenging than in analytical-scale separations. By reducing temperature differences between the mobile phase and the column, preheating helps preserve efficiency, resolution, and reproducibility.In practice, this means sharper peaks, more stable retention times, lower and more consistent backpressure, and improved high-throughput purification performance.KNAUER offers dedicated temperature-control solutions for preparative HPLC, including Heating Sleeves for large columns and the High Flow Eluent Heater for pre-column mobile phase conditioning. Together, these tools address common thermal problems such as radial gradients, cold solvent effects, and frictional heating.For laboratories working with preparative HPLC, eluent preheating and column heating are straightforward but highly effective steps toward more reproducible, efficient, and high-performing separations.<blockquote>For further information on this topic, please contact our author: losch@knauer.net</blockquote>

The importance of temperature control in preparative liquid chromatography.

News from LabRulezLCMS Library - Week 18, 2026

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Toxicology

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

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Based in Berlin, KNAUER is a medium-sized, owner-managed company that has been serving the sciences since 1962. We develop and manufacture scientific instruments of superior quality for liquid chromatography, including: Analytical HPLC/UHPLC, Preparative HPLC, Fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC), Multi-column chromatography/Simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatography. High pressure dosing, in-line detection systems, and osmometry are additional business areas.

KNAUER

Mettler-Toledo

Phenomenex

SelectScience

Shimadzu Corporation

Evosep Biosystems

Waters Corporation

Discover simplified standardized methods for PFAS analysis based on co-solvation as sample preparation.We will host a Q&amp;A session after the presentation to address any questions or comments.<blockquote>Presenter: &nbsp;Om Shrestha (Senior Research Scientist, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments)Om Shrestha is a highly skilled and results-driven Senior Research Scientist with extensive expertise in analytical method development, optimization, and analysis. With a proven track record in delivering exceptional technical support, Om is dedicated to advancing cutting-edge analytical techniques and ensuring compliance with industry standards. In his current role as Senior Application Scientist at Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Om specializes in PFAS analysis and method development using Shimadzu LCMS, with a comprehensive understanding of methods to support regulatory frameworks such as EPA 533, 537, and 1633. He excels in leading complex projects, troubleshooting instrumentation, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet customer and market demands. Presenter: Ruth Marfil-Vega, PhD (Sr Market Manager – Environmental, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments)Dr. Ruth Marfil-Vega has 20 years of expertise in environmental chemistry and engineering in the US and Europe. She has worked with the EPA and the utilities industry to design and execute comprehensive solutions for addressing new environmental and water quality issues, including PFAS, regulated and unregulated DBPs, and other emerging contaminants. Since Ruth joined Shimadzu five years ago, she has continued to work with environmental stakeholders to ensure that analytical instrumentation and workflows support their success. She earned a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Valladolid (Spain) and a PhD in Environmental Science and Engineering from the University of Cincinnati.</blockquote><h3>PFAS in Focus</h3>Welcome to PFAS in Focus, a comprehensive and exclusive webinar series sponsored by Shimadzu, covering the basics and beyond about the analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the environment.Join our experts, live or on-demand after the original air date, to demystify the challenges of PFAS analysis and gain the insights you need to:<ul><li>Manage PFAS contamination in your laboratory.</li><li>Master standardized methods for PFAS testing.</li><li>Discover new analytical workflows to maximize the performance of your LC-MS/MS for PFAS analysis.</li></ul>Who should attend:<ul><li>Environmental industry professionals and academics currently working on PFAS analysis or looking to establish the application in their labs.</li><li>Representatives from drinking and wastewater utilities.</li><li>LC–MS users from any field interested in expanding their applications to include PFAS testing.</li></ul>

ASTM D8421 and D8535: Cost Effective Methods for Rapid PFAS Testing in Wastewater and Soil

Discover simplified standardized methods for PFAS analysis based on co-solvation as sample preparation.

ASTM D8421 and D8535: PFAS Testing in Wastewater and Soil

Looking to improve your lab’s efficiency and streamline your nLC-MS processes?Whether you’re new to Evosep or simply curious about how we can simplify your workflows, this session offers valuable insights for labs at all levels.Our technology combine user-friendly workflows with automated processes. It empowers researchers, even without extensive expertise, to confidently use liquid chromatography mass spectrometry-based proteomics in their work.What to expect<ul><li>Streamline your workflows with increased throughput</li><li>Achieve reliable and reproducible results with minimal effort</li><li>Maximize productivity in your lab with practical tips and strategies</li></ul>Our technology combine user-friendly workflows with automated processes. It empowers researchers, even without extensive expertise, to confidently use liquid chromatography mass spectrometry-based proteomics in their work.This webinar is your opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of the Evosep One’s key features and how it can seamlessly integrate into your current processes. You’ll also have the chance to ask questions during our live Q&amp;A session, hosted by Nicolai Bache, VP, Proteomics Research at Evosep.&nbsp;<blockquote>Presenters: Gabriel Bracamontes (product specialist at evosep)Presenters:&nbsp;Martin Nørmark Thesbjerg (Laboratory engineer, Department of Health science and technology, university of aalborg)</blockquote>

Evosep Biosystems: A beginner’s guide to Evosep 2025

A beginner’s guide to Evosep 2025

This webinar offers a comprehensive overview of the Evosep One’s key features and its seamless integration into your current processes

Patient safety and product safety are of the utmost importance for manufacturers of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical-related products. Data in the laboratories within these organizations must be managed responsibly and in a compliant fashion.For legacy companies that have been doing business for many years, managing data has changed significantly in the last 30 years. You must exceed current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) requirements to demonstrate your quality management maturity.During this webinar we will explore:<ul><li>Critical aspects of data governance and critical thinking</li><li>Insights and strategies to help navigate the current environment</li><li>Evolving your approach</li><li>Modernizing your way of working</li></ul>Please join us for a lively discussion as we explore this topic. As always, please bring your questions for this exclusive opportunity to ask our experts anything you would like to know about Empower Software.<blockquote>Presenter: Neil Lander (Principal Product Manager, Informatics, Waters Corporation)Neil has worked for Waters Corporation since 1994 and has held a variety of positions including Technical Support Specialist, Technical Trainer, Manager Customer Education and currently, Principal Marketing Manager focusing on Informatics solutions. He provides internal support for Empower Chromatography Data System and is focused on developing laboratory software solutions that help organizations achieve their scientific and operational objectives. Prior to joining Waters, he was an analytical chemist where he gained experience in both the cosmetics and specialty chemical industries.Presenter: Tracy Hibbs (Principal Consulting Product and Marketing Manager, Waters Corp.)Tracy has worked for Waters Corporation since 1999 and has held a variety of positions including Technical Trainer, Business Impact Consultant, Training Manager for Informatics and Data Integrity, and currently, Principal Consulting Marketing Manager focusing on Informatics solutions. Tracy provides support for Waters Empower Software Suite and is concentrated on developing laboratory data management software solutions that help organizations achieve their scientific and operational objectives in regulated environments. Prior to joining Waters, Tracy was a Research Scientist where she gained experience in chromatography and the associated data systems.​Presenter: Tim Bara (Principal Informatics Consultant, Waters Corporation)Tim has worked for Waters Corporation since 2012 and has held several positions, including a Senior Systems Specialist and currently a Principle Informatics Consultant. As an Informatics Consultant, Tim works with customers to diagnose their Empower System’s overall health and state of control. He is an accomplished Empower implementation expert with over 20 years in system design and development, validation and deployment for both local and global scale Empower environments.</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: Empower Tips: Ask Me Anything About Navigating Data Governance - Risk and Vigilant Monitoring

Empower Tips: Ask Me Anything About Navigating Data Governance - Risk and Vigilant Monitoring

We will explore critical aspects of data governance and critical thinking

Tipy Empower: Zeptejte se mě na cokoli o správě dat

The presentation showcases the innovative partial T1 digest strategy developed at the University of Sheffield for sequencing mRNA therapeutics. This approach, which utilizes LCMS, enables rapid and efficient sequence validation with over 90% coverage in less than 90 minutes.&nbsp;The technique involves generating overlapping fragments that are visualized through advanced mapping tools, providing clear, color-coded linear maps and spiral plots that indicate sequence coverage and confidence levels. This method has proven particularly valuable for large mRNA molecules, such as self-amplifying RNAs, which can be up to 678,000 nucleotides in length. The collaboration with manufacturing groups exemplifies the practical application of this technology in real-world scenarios, ensuring the integrity and efficacy of mRNA therapeutics. The presentation concludes by highlighting the establishment of a dedicated RNA facility at the University of Sheffield, which aims to further streamline and enhance mRNA analysis and characterization.Learning points<ul><li>Critical Quality Attributes of mRNA: Understanding and monitoring the critical quality attributes (CQAs) of mRNA therapeutics and vaccines are essential.</li><li>Advanced Sequencing Techniques: The use of advanced sequencing methods, such as Sanger sequencing and next-generation sequencing, is crucial for ensuring the correct identity of mRNA sequences.</li><li>Impurity Monitoring and Safety: Monitoring impurities, such as double-stranded RNA and residual DNA from the manufacturing process, is vital for the safety of mRNA therapeutics.</li></ul>Who should attend?<ul><li>Researchers and Scientists: Those working in molecular biology, biochemistry, and pharmaceutical sciences who are interested in the latest techniques for mRNA analysis and characterization.</li><li>Biopharmaceutical Professionals: Professionals involved in the development and production of mRNA-based therapeutics and vaccines, particularly those focusing on quality control and regulatory compliance.</li><li>Analytical Development Teams: Teams dedicated to improving analytical methods for validating the sequence and integrity of mRNA therapeutics.</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter:&nbsp; Prof. Mark Dickman (Professor, University of Sheffield)Prof. Dickman obtained a first-class honours degree in biochemistry/chemistry and his Ph.D. at the Krebs Institute, University of Sheffield. He then joined a biotechnology company, Transgenomic Ltd, and since 2003 has worked in the Dept. of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Sheffield, where his research focuses on the development of analytical methods to characterize biomolecules including mRNA and oligonucleotide therapeutics.</blockquote>

Thermo Fisher Scientific: Characterization and sequence mapping of large RNA and mRNA therapeutics using HRAM

Characterization and sequence mapping of large RNA and mRNA therapeutics using HRAM

The presentation showcases the innovative partial T1 digest strategy developed at the University of Sheffield for sequencing mRNA therapeutics

HRAM for RNA & mRNA therapeutics: characterization, mapping

Ulli Honester, a team leader from Solvias, presented on advancements in mass spectrometry for identifying extractables and leachables (E&amp;L). With over 20 years of experience in proteomics, metabolomics, and small molecule identification, Ulli emphasized that the new state-of-the-art ENL technology is user-friendly and not complex.&nbsp;The presentation highlighted the process of sample preparation and analysis, underscoring the importance of automated peak picking software and high-resolution spectrometers. This technology is crucial for analyzing the thousands of compounds in the human metabolome, aiding in precise identification of markers. The automated systems allow researchers to focus on more critical tasks, enhancing efficiency and patient safety by accurately identifying extractables in drug product formulations. The talk&nbsp;concluded with a discussion on the challenges of peak separation and the reality of dealing with a vast database of compounds, emphasizing the need for advanced software solutions.&nbsp;Learning points&nbsp;<ul><li style="color:#212529;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 36.0pt;" id="isPasted">Advancements in Mass Spectrometry for E&amp;L Analysis: Attendees will gain insights into the latest state-of-the-art technologies in mass spectrometry that simplify the identification and analysis of extractables and leachables, making the process more user-friendly and efficient.</li><li id="isPasted">Automated Data Processing: The presentation emphasizes the importance of using automated software for peak picking and deconvolution, allowing researchers to focus on critical tasks by reducing the effort required for routine data processing.</li><li>Application of Metabolomics Techniques: By applying techniques learned from metabolomic studies, attendees will understand how to identify significant markers and differences between groups, such as treated versus non-treated samples, enhancing the precision of their analytical studies and contributing to patient safety.</li></ul>Who should attend?&nbsp;<ul><li style="color:#212529;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 36.0pt;" id="isPasted">Analytical chemists and laboratory scientists specializing in mass spectrometry.</li><li id="isPasted">Pharmaceutical researchers and developers focused on drug formulation and safety.</li><li>Quality control and assurance professionals in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.</li></ul>

Thermo Fisher Scientific: State-of-the-art E&L is not rocket science

State-of-the-art E&L is not rocket science

Ulli Honester, a team leader from Solvias, presented on advancements in mass spectrometry for identifying extractables and leachables (E&L).

Program:&nbsp;<ul><li>User Case Studies: Hear directly from users at AstraZeneca, Genentech, and Takeda about how they have implemented DirectInject-LC into their workflow</li><li>Practical Tips and Techniques: Discover strategies and best practices from peers and technical experts</li><li>Q&amp;A with Users and Experts: Ask questions and engage with the user community and technology and application experts from Telescope Innovations and METTLER TOLEDO&nbsp;</li></ul>Join us for the first&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.mt.com/cz/cs/home/products/L1_AutochemProducts/directinject-lc.html">DirectInject-LC</a> Virtual User Forum, a unique opportunity to connect with industry peers and share insights into the application of this advanced technology in chemical process development. This event will deepen your understanding of how online HPLC analysis enabled by DirectInject-LC is being used to streamline development workflows with real-time reaction monitoring and insight.

Mettler Toledo: DirectInject-LC Virtual User Forum 

DirectInject-LC Virtual User Forum 

How online HPLC analysis enabled by DirectInject-LC is being used to streamline development workflows with real-time reaction monitoring and insight.

Balances and scales play a critical role in research and development, quality assurance, and production. Errors in weighing cost time and money, due to rework, waste, and product recalls.In order to maintain consistent product quality and comply with standards and regulations, the performance of balances and scales needs to be verified regularly with a calibration. Routine testing of balances or scales in-between these scheduled calibrations helps to maintain accuracy by ensuring early detection of non-conformance with weighing process requirements so that corrective action can be taken in a timely manner.This webinar will give you a good understanding of why balance and scale testing is crucial for the accuracy of your weighing results in laboratory and production environments. We explain what your routine testing plan must contain, and, on top of that, we offer an overview of how to perform these routine tests correctly.&nbsp;Program<ul><li>What routine testing is</li><li>The difference between routine testing, calibration, and adjustment</li><li>The consequences of not testing a balance or scale</li><li>The four pillars of routine testing</li><li>Good Weighing Practice™ (GWP®)</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Walter Krebs (Good Weighing Practice™, METTLER TOLEDO)</blockquote>

Mettler Toledo: Routine Testing of Balances and Scales 

Routine Testing of Balances and Scales 

Why balance and scale testing is crucial for the accuracy of your weighing results in laboratory and production environments

<div id="zephr-body-wall"><div>Development and production of IVT mRNA vaccines require measurements of Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs), such as identity, purity, quality, and quantity. Orthogonal methods developed for such purposes are outlined in the USP guidelines for mRNA vaccines.Agilent Technologies provides many analytical solutions that are used by leading pharmaceutical companies in early-stage drug development through production quality control (QC) and final product release. These systems help users save time and money with optimized workflows, streamlined processes, and fast time-to-results.Whitney Pike, M.Sc, Application Scientist and Dr. Sonja Schneider, Manager, Application Development, Agilent Technologies, will discuss how automated electrophoresis and LC/MS systems solutions from Agilent provide reliable insights for IVT mRNA workflows at many steps, from QC of the initial plasmid DNA, throughout the IVT process, to the finished mRNA drug product.Key learning objectives<ul><li>Explore QC throughout the entire IVT mRNA workflow, including data from various nucleic acids and LNP analyses</li><li>Discover how Agilent instruments/technologies, such as the Fragment Analyzer and LC/MS systems, can be used for different CQAs</li><li>Learn how Agilent is working together with its partners to provide reliable insights for all aspects of the IVT mRNA workflow</li></ul>Who should attend?<ul><li>Researchers, lab managers, lab directors, QA/QC managers performing IVT mRNA analysis in biotherapeutics research and production</li></ul>Certificate of attendance All webinar participants can request a certificate of attendance, including a learning outcomes summary, for continuing education purposes.For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures. PR7001-2498<blockquote>Presenter: Whitney Pike, MA (Application Scientist, Agilent Technologies)Whitney joined Agilent in 2016 and is an Application Scientist with a focus on the Agilent Automated Electrophoresis instruments. She played a pivotal role in the release of the Femto Pulse system as a scientist on the product development team. She completed her master’s degree in biology, with an emphasis on cellular, molecular, and developmental biology, before working at a core facility, responsible for performing next-generation sequencing studies.Presenter:&nbsp;Dr. Sonja Schneider (Dr. Sonja Schneider, Manager, Application Development, Agilent Technologies)Dr. Sonja Schneider completed her diploma degree in biology and her PhD in biochemistry before joining Agilent in 2011 as an Application Scientist for biopharma applications. She progressed into her current role as Manager, of the Application Development Team in 2016, whilst simultaneously working in the laboratory on up-to-date biopharma applications.Presenter:&nbsp;Olivia Long (Olivia Long, Editorial Team, SelectScience) (moderator)</blockquote></div></div>

Select Science: From Start to Finish: How Agilent Can Support Better Decisions in IVT mRNA-Based Biopharmaceutical Analysis

From Start to Finish: How Agilent Can Support Better Decisions in IVT mRNA-Based Biopharmaceutical Analysis

We will discuss how automated electrophoresis and LC/MS systems solutions from Agilent provide reliable insights for IVT mRNA workflows at many steps.

Agilent's Support in IVT mRNA Biopharmaceutical Analysis

Overview<ul><li>General troubleshooting approach</li><li>HPLC troubleshooting steps and diagnosing tips</li><li>Preventive maintenance and column care</li></ul>Key Learning Points<ul><li>Understand systematic elimination as the best approach for troubleshooting</li><li>Learn the steps to identify and solve chromatographic problems</li><li>Discover column CQA as a tool to help identifying if it’s a system or column related issues</li><li>Know the benefit of filtration and using a guard</li></ul>Who Should AttendAny scientists who would like to gain more knowledge on HPLC troubleshooting or anyone who is experiencing challenges with identifying, solving and avoiding HPLC issues.<blockquote>Presenter: Grace Guo (Senior Technical Specialist, Phenomenex)Grace Guo graduated from the Johns Hopkins University with a Master’s degree in Material Science and Engineering. She joined Phenomenex Technical Team in 2017 providing technical support globally. With more than 9 years of experience on SPE, HPLC and GC, she delivered 80+ seminars and webinars globally covering food and environmental, clinical, pharma and biopharma industry.</blockquote>

Phenomenex: LC Troubleshooting Quick Guide: Spot Problems Fast & Fix Them Like a Pro!

LC Troubleshooting Quick Guide: Spot Problems Fast & Fix Them Like a Pro!

In this webinar - General troubleshooting approach, HPLC troubleshooting steps and diagnosing tips and preventive maintenance and column care.

LC Troubleshooting Quick Guide: Spot Problems Fast & Fix 

Food matrices and a fish reference material were analyzed by the Nestle and FDA labs each implementing two different methods to test for accuracy and robustness. &nbsp;Key Learning Points<ul><li>Find the comparison of accuracy and reproducibility of two methods</li><li>Listen in to a discussion on challenges with difficult matrices</li><li>Learn about aspects of LC-MS/MS to consider in the detection and quantitation pf PFAs in food</li></ul>Who Should AttendAny scientists, researchers, and lab analysts conducting PFAS analysis, food safety advocates, food manufacturers and anyone interested in food safety.<blockquote>Presenter: Susan Genualdi, PhD (Research Chemist, Food and Drug Administration (FDA))Susan Genualdi is currently a Research Chemist in the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at the Food and Drug Administration. &nbsp;Her research over the last 12 years has focused on developing methods for the analysis of direct and indirect food additives in food and food packaging and for the last 6 years has focused on PFAS analysis in foods. Prior to her work at the FDA, she received her PhD in Analytical Chemistry at Oregon State University and was a postdoctoral fellow at Environment Canada.</blockquote>

Phenomenex: Detection of PFAS in Foods: Interlaboratory Comparison of Two Analytical Methods

Detection of PFAS in Foods: Interlaboratory Comparison of Two Analytical Methods

Food matrices and a fish reference material were analyzed by the Nestle and FDA labs each implementing two different methods to test for accuracy and robustness

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