A team led by scientists from CEITEC Masaryk University has uncovered the infection mechanism of tailed bacteriophages – a group of viruses that infect bacteria. These phages target, among others, Staphylococcus aureus, a major cause of bacterial infections that is often resistant to antibiotics. The bacterium belongs to a group of Gram-positive bacteria characterised by an exceptionally thick cell wall. Although the infection mechanisms of some other bacteriophages have been described previously, the way tailed phages infecting Staphylococcus aureus and other thick-walled bacteria invade their hosts had remained unknown. The researchers have now revealed how such a bacteriophage breaches the protective barrier of the bacterial cell and delivers its genetic material inside. Their findings could contribute to the development of new strategies for combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria.Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common sources of bacterial infections in humans. It can cause skin infections, pneumonia, and even life-threatening bloodstream infections. Moreover, many of its strains have become resistant to commonly used antibiotics, increasing interest in alternative treatment approaches such as bacteriophage therapy.“Bacteriophages are the most abundant biological entities on Earth and have been infecting bacteria for billions of years. Yet we still do not fully understand how they overcome the cell wall of certain Gram-positive bacteria. By reconstructing the bacteriophage structure before and after it attaches to a bacterial cell, we were able to reveal this process,” says <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ceitec.eu/jan-binovsky-ph-d/u91173?page=publication">Ján Bíňovský</a> of CEITEC Masaryk University, who led the study together with Marta Šiborová.Bacteriophage 812, investigated in this study, specifically infects Staphylococcus aureus. The researchers discovered that once it recognises the correct host, the protein structure at the tip of its tail undergoes extensive rearrangements. Individual components of this structure, which resembles a lunar landing module, reorganise into a new configuration that enables the virus to firmly attach to the bacterial surface. At the same time, a mechanism is activated that triggers contraction of the phage tail.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Jak_zabit_zlateho_stafylokoka_novy_pohled_na_viry_ktere_si_poradi_s_bakteriemi_01c86d5e42.jpg" alt="CEITEC/Plevka Lab: How to Kill Staphylococcus Aureus: A New Insight into Viruses That Can Defeat Bacteria: Phage before attachment to the bacterial cell." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Jak_zabit_zlateho_stafylokoka_novy_pohled_na_viry_ktere_si_poradi_s_bakteriemi_01c86d5e42.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="4339" height="1600"><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Jak_zabit_zlateho_stafylokoka_novy_pohled_na_viry_ktere_si_poradi_s_bakteriemi_2_53422574db.jpg" alt="CEITEC/Plevka Lab: How to Kill Staphylococcus Aureus: A New Insight into Viruses That Can Defeat Bacteria: Phage attached to the bacterial cell." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Jak_zabit_zlateho_stafylokoka_novy_pohled_na_viry_ktere_si_poradi_s_bakteriemi_2_53422574db.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="4085" height="1600">“The process resembles the release of an extended spring. The bacteriophage tail contracts to approximately half of its original length, and the released energy drives the central tube through the bacterium's protective layers. The virus can then deliver its genetic material into the cell and initiate infection,” explains Marta Šiborová.Unlike many other bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus possesses an exceptionally thick cell wall. The researchers therefore investigated in detail how the bacteriophage overcomes this barrier. They found that the virus employs a combination of mechanical force and enzymatic activity. Some components of its infection apparatus likely disrupt teichoic acids, which form the outer protective layer of the bacterial cell wall. Other proteins then degrade peptidoglycan, the main structural component of the cell wall. Finally, the bacteriophage penetrates the inner lipid membrane, allowing its central tube to enter the bacterial cell.The findings show that the bacteriophage does not function as a simple "needle", but rather as a sophisticated nanomachine composed of dozens of cooperating proteins.Although this is fundamental research, the findings may prove important for future medical applications. Bacteriophages are considered one of the promising alternatives for treating infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.“If we want to use bacteriophages therapeutically in the future – or even engineer them for specific medical applications – we first need to understand in detail how they work. Our study provides fundamental insight into how bacteriophages recognise their hosts and initiate infection,” says <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ceitec.eu/pavel-plevka-ph-d/u26854">Pavel Plevka</a>, structural biologist and head of a research group at CEITEC Masaryk University.<blockquote>The study, published in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1038/s44318-026-00834-9">EMBO Journal</a>, also involved researchers from the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University.</blockquote><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Jak_zabit_zlateho_stafylokoka_novy_pohled_na_viry_ktere_si_poradi_s_bakteriemi_3_fba5a65145.jpg" alt="CEITEC/Plevka Lab: How to Kill Staphylococcus Aureus: A New Insight into Viruses That Can Defeat Bacteria: Black = protein structure at the tip of the tail after the conformational change; red = portion of the tail that has begun to contract; blue = portion of the tail that remains extended." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Jak_zabit_zlateho_stafylokoka_novy_pohled_na_viry_ktere_si_poradi_s_bakteriemi_3_fba5a65145.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="782"><blockquote><h4>Článek</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1038/s44318-026-00834-9">Konformační změny bazální ploténky regulující kontrakci bičíku stafylokokového bakteriofága 812</a></h4>Ján Bíňovský, Marta Šiborová, Maryna Zlatohurska, Jiří Nováček, Pavol Bárdy, Roman Baška, Karel Škubník, Tibor Botka, Martin Benešík, Roman Pantuček, Konstantinos Tripsianes &amp; Pavel Plevka<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s44318-026-00834-9">https://doi.org/10.1038/s44318-026-00834-9</a>&nbsp;<h6>licencováno pod <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC-BY 4.0</a></h6></blockquote>

 How to Kill Staphylococcus Aureus: A New Insight into Viruses That Can Defeat Bacteria 

Rotary evaporation has long been a staple in laboratories for removing solvents from samples efficiently. However, as technology advances and the demand for higher throughput and more efficient processes increases, alternative methods are becoming more attractive. One such alternative is <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products?category=338">Organomation's S-EVAP evaporators</a>. For laboratories interested in processing several samples simultaneously, the S-EVAP offers significant advantages over multiple rotary evaporators.<h3>Understanding Rotary Evaporation</h3>Rotary evaporation is a technique widely used in chemical and biochemical labs to remove solvents from samples by applying heat and reducing pressure to induce evaporation. The process involves a rotating flask, which increases the surface area for evaporation, making it efficient for solvent removal. Despite its effectiveness, rotary evaporation has limitations, especially when dealing with high-throughput requirements or multiple samples simultaneously.<h3>Criteria for Choosing an Alternative</h3>When selecting an alternative to rotary evaporation, several factors need to be considered:<ul><li>Efficiency: How quickly and effectively can the alternative remove solvents?</li><li>Cost-effectiveness: What is the initial investment and operating cost?</li><li>Ease of use: How user-friendly is the equipment?</li><li>Applicability: Can the alternative handle a variety of solvents and sample types?</li><li>Scalability: Is the method suitable for processing multiple samples simultaneously?</li></ul><h3>Alternatives to Rotary Evaporation</h3><h4>1. Organomation's S-EVAP Evaporators</h4>Organomation's S-EVAP evaporators, available in<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products/1904"> Kuderna-Danish (KD)</a> and<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products/1905"> round-bottom (RB)</a> flask models, are designed for laboratories requiring high throughput and efficient solvent removal.&nbsp;<ul><li>S-EVAP KD is available in 8 or 10 position models and can handle sample sizes up to 500 mL</li><li>S-EVAP RB models also offer 8 or 10 positions with capacities up to 250 mL per sample</li></ul>The S-EVAP system is tailored for general evaporation and concentration of analytical or environmental samples using various glassware configurations to meet specific method requirements under controlled and reproducible conditions.This system features rapid solvent evaporation with solvent vapor recovery, achieving solvent recoveries exceeding 96% by volume under ideal conditions.&nbsp;It can operate with cold tap water or a recirculating chiller system, ensuring efficient cooling. The digital controlled water bath provides even and uniform heating without scorching the final samples.&nbsp;The parallel water manifold system ensures even cooling water distribution to each condenser, while the rotary water manifold allows unlimited instrument rotation for easy front loading without condenser tubing entanglement.<h5>Advantages of S-EVAP Over Rotary Evaporation:</h5><ul><li>Higher Throughput: The S-EVAP can process multiple samples simultaneously, significantly increasing throughput compared to using several rotary evaporators.</li><li>Cost-Effectiveness: Although the initial investment may be higher than a single rotary evaporator, the S-EVAP's ability to handle multiple samples at once reduces the need for additional equipment. Lower maintenance costs and reduced need for additional space and infrastructure.</li><li>Ease of Use: User-friendly design with straightforward controls and easy maintenance. Reduced handling time compared to managing multiple rotary evaporators, allowing technicians to focus on other tasks.</li><li>Consistency and Precision: Uniform evaporation conditions ensure consistent results across all samples. Precise control over temperature allows for tailored evaporation conditions for different sample types.</li><li>Space Efficiency: A single S-EVAP unit occupies less space compared to multiple rotary evaporators, making it ideal for labs with limited bench space.</li></ul><h5>Integration in EPA Method 1699</h5>Rotary Evaporator Usage:<ul><li>Initial Solvent Reduction: Rotary evaporators are used first to remove bulk solvent from the sample extract. This step efficiently reduces the volume of the extract to a manageable level under reduced pressure, ensuring that the majority of the solvent is removed without significant loss of analytes.</li><li>Controlled Conditions: The rotary evaporator's ability to control temperature and vacuum precisely helps in handling large initial volumes and reducing them quickly.</li></ul>S-EVAP Evaporator Usage:<ul><li>Further Concentration: After the rotary evaporation step, the concentrated extract is transferred to the S-EVAP system. The S-EVAP evaporators, including the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products/1904">S-EVAP-KD</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products/1905">S-EVAP-RB</a> models, are designed to handle smaller volumes and provide a final concentration of the sample.</li><li>Solvent Recovery: The S-EVAP systems offer efficient solvent recovery, with the S-EVAP-RB capable of achieving solvent recoveries exceeding 96% by volume under ideal conditions. This high recovery rate is crucial for environmental and analytical labs that aim to minimize solvent waste and ensure consistent results.</li><li>Even Heating and Cooling: The S-EVAP-RB features a digital controlled water bath for uniform heating, preventing scalding of the final samples. Additionally, the parallel water manifold system ensures even cooling to each condenser, enhancing the efficiency and reproducibility of the evaporation process.</li></ul>Benefits of Tandem Use<ul><li>Enhanced Efficiency: Using both systems in tandem allows for the initial large volume reduction by the rotary evaporator, followed by precise final concentration using the S-EVAP. This combination maximizes throughput and ensures high-quality results.</li><li>Cost and Space Efficiency: The rotary evaporator handles the bulk of the solvent reduction, reducing the strain on the S-EVAP system. This distribution of workload helps in maintaining the equipment and optimizing laboratory space.</li><li>Method Compliance: Following this tandem approach ensures compliance with EPA Method 1699, which outlines specific procedures for pesticide analysis in various environmental samples.</li></ul>Organomation's S-EVAP evaporators, when used in conjunction with rotary evaporators, provide an efficient and reliable solution for laboratories performing high-throughput solvent evaporation tasks, such as those required by EPA Method 1699. This tandem use ensures precise control over the evaporation process, high solvent recovery rates, and consistent sample preparation, making it an ideal approach for environmental and analytical laboratories.<h4>2. Buchi's Syncore Evaporators</h4>Buchi's Syncore evaporators are advanced evaporation systems designed to provide high throughput and efficiency. They use parallel evaporation technology, allowing simultaneous processing of multiple samples under controlled conditions.<ul><li>Applications: Drug discovery, natural product extraction and chemical synthesis</li><li>Advantages: High efficiency with parallel evaporation capabilities, advanced safety features and precise control over evaporation parameters</li><li>Limitations: Potential cost considerations and specific application limitations</li></ul><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://explore.organomation.com/s-evap-rb-vs-buchi-syncore-download">Download our S-EVAP-RB vs Buchi Syncore comparison with pricing!</a><h4>3. Freeze Drying (Lyophilization)</h4>Freeze drying, also known as lyophilization, is a dehydration process used to preserve perishable materials or make them more convenient for transport. The process involves three main stages: freezing, primary drying (sublimation), and secondary drying (desorption).<ul><li>Applications: Pharmaceuticals, food industry, biological samples.</li><li>Advantages: Long-term stability of dried products.</li><li>Limitations: High cost and time-consuming process.</li></ul>For a more in-depth review, please visit our piece on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://blog.organomation.com/blog/types-of-laboratory-evaporators">Types of Laboratory Evaporators</a>.<h4>4. Centrifugal Evaporation</h4>Centrifugal evaporation is a technique used to remove solvents from samples by combining centrifugal force, vacuum, and heat. This method is particularly effective for drying samples rapidly and efficiently, making it ideal for high-throughput laboratories.<ul><li>Applications: Used for concentrating and drying biological samples, drug formulations, and other compounds that require gentle handling. Ideal for processing DNA, RNA, proteins, and other sensitive biomolecules.</li><li>Advantages: The combination of centrifugal force and vacuum significantly speeds up the evaporation process compared to traditional methods. Multiple samples can be processed simultaneously, making it suitable for high-volume laboratories.</li></ul>Limitations:<ul><li>Equipment Cost: High-quality centrifugal evaporators can be expensive to purchase and maintain.</li><li>Limited Sample Types: Not all sample types are suitable for centrifugal evaporation, particularly those that require very specific temperature or pressure conditions.</li><li>Technical Expertise: Requires trained personnel to operate the equipment and optimize conditions for different sample types.</li></ul><h4>5. Vacuum Distillation</h4>Vacuum distillation is a technique used to separate mixtures of liquids by utilizing reduced pressure, which lowers the boiling points of the components. This method is particularly useful for separating heat-sensitive compounds that might decompose at higher temperatures.<ul><li>Applications: Used to purify reaction products and separate mixtures in organic synthesis. Essential for refining crude oil into various fractions, such as gasoline, diesel, and lubricants.</li><li>Advantages: Achieves high levels of purity by effectively separating components based on their boiling points. Reduces the risk of thermal decomposition by operating at lower temperatures. Applicable to a wide range of substances, including complex mixtures and heat-sensitive materials.</li></ul>Limitations:<ul><li>Complex Setup: Requires specialized equipment and careful control of vacuum and temperature conditions.</li><li>High Cost: Initial investment and maintenance costs can be high.</li><li>Technical Skill: Operators need to be skilled in managing the distillation process to achieve optimal results.</li></ul><h4>6. Spray Drying</h4>Spray drying is a process used to convert liquid materials into dry powders by rapidly drying them with a hot gas. This technique is widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries for creating stable, shelf-stable powders.<ul><li>Applications: Used to produce powdered milk, coffee, eggs, and flavors. Employed in the production of powdered drugs and formulations.</li><li>Advantages: Efficiently converts liquids into dry powders in a short time. Allows precise control over the size and distribution of the powder particles.</li></ul>Limitations:<ul><li>High Energy Consumption: Requires significant energy to heat the drying gas.</li><li>Thermal Degradation: High temperatures can cause thermal degradation of sensitive compounds.</li><li>Complexity: Requires careful control of operating conditions to achieve desired product characteristics.</li></ul><h4>7. Simple Distillation</h4>Simple distillation is a basic method used to separate liquids with significantly different boiling points. It involves heating the mixture to vaporize the more volatile component, which is then condensed and collected.<ul><li>Applications: Used to purify solvents, water, and other liquids by removing impurities. Ideal for separating simple mixtures of two components with different boiling points.</li><li>Advantages: Easy to set up and operate with minimal equipment. Low initial investment and operating costs. Effective for separating mixtures with large differences in boiling points.</li></ul>Limitations:<ul><li>Limited Precision: Not suitable for separating complex mixtures or components with close boiling points.</li><li>Scalability Issues: Less efficient for large-scale industrial processes.</li><li>Thermal Degradation: Higher temperatures can cause degradation of heat-sensitive components.</li></ul><h4>8. Microwave-Assisted Evaporation</h4>Microwave-assisted evaporation is a technique that uses microwave energy to heat and evaporate solvents from samples. This method is efficient and rapid, making it suitable for various laboratory applications.<ul><li>Applications: Used to speed up reactions and solvent removal in organic synthesis. Employed for drying drug formulations and preparing samples for analysis.</li><li>Advantages: Microwaves heat samples quickly and uniformly, reducing evaporation time.</li></ul>Limitations:<ul><li>Equipment Cost: Microwave evaporators can be expensive to purchase and maintain.</li><li>Sample Compatibility: Not all samples are suitable for microwave heating, particularly those with low dielectric properties.</li><li>Safety Concerns: Requires careful handling to avoid overheating and potential hazards.</li></ul><h3>Conclusion</h3>For laboratories that need to process several samples simultaneously, Organomation's S-EVAP evaporators present a compelling alternative to rotary evaporation. By offering higher throughput, cost-effectiveness, ease of use, and space efficiency, the S-EVAP can streamline laboratory workflows and improve overall productivity. As technology continues to evolve, staying informed about the latest advancements in evaporation methods will ensure that labs can maintain optimal performance and efficiency.

Exploring Alternatives to Rotary Evaporation in Modern Laboratories

<h3>How about a coffee break along with a bite of LC? Here you go!</h3><h4>Welcome to the webinar series dedicated to Liquid Chromatography: LC Coffee Breaks Free Webinar Series</h4>Each episode focuses on answering a specific challenge faced by chromatographers, helping you improve efficiency, solve problems faster, and stay up to date with the latest trends in Liquid Chromatography.<h4>Episode 1 Mastering Overpressure - Prevention and Solutions that Work</h4><ul><li>📆August 06, 2026</li><li>🕑14:00 CEST</li><li>Speaker: Walter Migliaccio (Sales Application Chemist, Waters)</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/webinar/6410">Registration</a></li></ul>Overpressure is a common LC challenge that can lead to downtime and unreliable results.&nbsp;Learn or review how to:<ul><li>Identify key causes and solve them</li><li>Prevent issues in practical ways</li></ul><h4>Episode 2 Strategies to Identify and Reduce Carryover</h4><ul><li>📆September 15, 2026</li><li>🕑14:00 CEST</li><li>Speaker: Andrea Hoehnel (Senior Sales Applications Chemist, Waters)</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/webinar/6418">Registration</a></li></ul>Carryover can compromise accuracy and productivity in LC analyses.&nbsp;Join this webinar to:<ul><li>gain actionable insights into detecting carryover sources&nbsp;</li><li>implement effective solutions for more robust and reproducible results.</li></ul><h4>Episode 3 From RI to CAD: How Universal LC Detectors Compare in Real World Performance</h4><ul><li>📆October 15, 2026</li><li>🕑14:00 CEST</li><li>Speaker: Pawel Bigos (Senior Scientist, Waters Corporation)</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/webinar/6419">Registration</a></li></ul>What will you learn<ul><li>Gain practical understand on detectors ideal use cases</li><li>Learn how to select the right universal detector to improve your analysis</li></ul><h4>Episode 4 Why My Method Doesn't Transfer Smoothly?</h4><ul><li>📆November 5, 2026</li><li>🕑14:00 CET</li><li>Speaker: Norris Wong (Senior Evaluation Scientist, Waters Corporation)</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/webinar/6420">Registration</a></li></ul>Method transfer issues can lead to delays, inconsistent data, and costly rework.Join this webinar to:<ul><li>Understand the root causes of transfer failures</li><li>Learn best practices for achieving reliable, reproducible liquid chromatography methods across different systems and environments</li></ul><h4>Episode 5 Binary or Quaternary? Choosing the Fit-for-Purpose Gradient System</h4><ul><li>📆December 17, 2026</li><li>🕑14:00 CET</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/webinar/6421">Registration</a></li></ul>Clearly understand the strengths, limitations, and impact of your gradient systems can make the difference in your method performances.Join this webinar to:&nbsp;<ul><li>Learn what to consider to select the best solution for your needs</li><li>Get practical tips to optimize your separations and support your analytical goals</li></ul><h4>Why you should attend</h4><ul><li>Get practical, users insights you can immediately apply in your daily LC laboratory work.&nbsp;</li><li>In just a short coffee-break session, you'll gain valuable tips on troubleshooting, method development, method transfer, technology updates, column chemistries, and real-world applications.</li></ul>

LC Coffee Breaks Free Webinar Series from Waters Corporation

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Since its establishment in 2011, CEITEC has quickly developed into a cutting-edge infrastructure for research which performs highly alongside the best institutes in Europe. Among the main priorities of CEITEC are the promotion of a motivating and dynamic international scientific environment, the provision of state-of-the-art research infrastructure, and the policy of open communication and equal opportunities.

CEITEC

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

Waters Corporation, the world's leading specialty measurement company, has pioneered chromatography, mass spectrometry and thermal analysis innovations serving the life, materials and food sciences for nearly 60 years.

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Agilent Technologies

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Unexpected changes to our chromatography often lead us to suspect the column first. &nbsp; But, in many cases, the true source of the problem is somewhere else in the system. &nbsp;In this webinar, we’ll explore some of the common chromatography issues we most often hear about as technical support specialists. Whether you’re dealing with shifts in retention time, pressure fluctuations, unexpected peaks, ghost peaks, missing peaks, or your peak shapes just don’t look right, we’ll walk through practical steps for diagnosing and resolving the problem. Having an understanding for where issues typically occur can help us to quickly identify the problem, implement the right corrective action, and prevent the problem from recurring in the future.<blockquote>Speaker: Jean Lane (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)Jean has been employed with Agilent since Nov 2010 in technical and applications support and has a primary role supporting Agilent’s full line of LC columns and consumables, which also includes support for Agilent’s GPC/SEC product line. She came to Agilent thru acquisition of Varian and the former Polymer Laboratories. Jean has 20 plus years of technical and applications support for both HPLC and GPC consumable products. In addition to practical chromatography experience in the laboratory, she has had many, many years in her technical role involving customer support providing assistance and troubleshooting for customer chromatography issues.</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Becoming A Better Chromatographer Webinar Series

Why Your Column Isn’t Always the Culprit: Smarter HPLC Troubleshooting

Master HPLC troubleshooting with Agilent. Learn to diagnose retention shifts, pressure issues, and ghost peaks outside of the column environment

Smarter HPLC Troubleshooting: Beyond the Column Issues

<h4>Optimize Upstream Control with Data‑Driven Cell Media Analysis &amp; Titer Assessment</h4>This session explores how advanced analytics enable tighter control of upstream bioprocesses. We begin with a walkthrough of recent work in cell culture media analysis, highlighting vitamin profiling as a tool to better understand nutrient utilization and process performance.The story continues with focus on optimizing titer measurement using analytical Protein A, demonstrating benefits such as higher sensitivity for measurement earlier in cell cultures, faster results, improved data quality, and reduced workflow complexity to support more informed, timely upstream decision‑making.<h5>Key takeaways:</h5><ul><li>Understand how advanced cell media analysis, including vitamin profiling, enhances understanding of nutrient utilization and upstream process performance.</li><li>Evaluate how analytical Protein A titer measurements enable earlier, faster, and more sensitive assessment of product formation during cell culture.</li><li>Apply data‑driven analytical insights to improve upstream process control, data quality, and decision‑making efficiency.</li></ul><h5>This Webinar is designed for:</h5><ul><li>Upstream Process Development &amp; Engineering Teams – Scientists and engineers focused on media optimization, nutrient utilization, and improved process control.</li><li>MSAT &amp; Process Characterization Professionals – Teams seeking deeper process understanding and data‑driven decision making across development and manufacturing.</li><li>Analytical Development Scientists – Experts responsible for cell media and titer analysis who want faster, more sensitive, and streamlined analytical workflows.</li></ul><blockquote>Speaker: Mark Wrona (Consulting Scientist, Biologics Business Unit, Waters Corporation)Mark Wrona manages specialized teams of scientists developing analytical applications to support drug development and PAT applications.He specializes in biologics and life sciences applications.He has 15 years with Waters and prior experience as a research chemist at a large pharma.</blockquote><blockquote>Speaker: Fang Lu (Senior Upstream Process Development Scientist, Waters Corporation)Dr. Fang Lu is a Senior Upstream Process Development Scientist at Immerse Delaware, Waters Corporation.She has expertise in viral vector upstream process development, gene therapy manufacturing, and monoclonal antibody upstream development, with a focus on applying analytical tools to enhance process understanding and optimization.Prior to joining Waters, Fang spent four years in the cell and gene therapy CDMO industry supporting process development for complex biologics and advanced therapy applications.</blockquote>

Data‑Driven Upstream Control: Optimizing Cell Media Analysis and Titer Assessment

Enhance upstream control with data-driven analytics. Discover how vitamin profiling in media and high-sensitivity Protein A titer assays speed up PD.

Optimizing Cell Media Analysis and Titer Assessment

<h4>What’s trending across Asia and what you should know next</h4>PFAS Asia Summit is back in 2026! Join us with leading experts across science and industry to explore the latest PFAS developments shaping Asia. From evolving regulatory frameworks to cutting-edge research and analytical innovation, this summit offers a focused platform to understand emerging risks, industry responses - helping you stay informed and prepared in a rapidly changing PFAS landscape.<h4>What you will learn:</h4><ul><li>Latest PFAS regulatory updates across global and Asian markets</li><li>Emerging PFAS trends in key industries, including agriculture, electronics, and pharmaceuticals</li><li>Advances in sample preparation and integrated LC-MS/MS technologies for PFAS detection and analysis</li></ul><h4>Agenda</h4><h5>09:00 - 09:05 a.m. Welcome &amp; Introduction</h5><h5>09:05 - 09:35 a.m. PFAS around the world - Regulatory and analytical trends</h5><ul><li>Holly Lee (SCIEX)</li></ul><h5>09:35 - 10:05 a.m. Utilizing LC-MS for proactive PFAS detection in Pharma</h5><ul><li>Eshani Galermo (SCIEX)</li></ul><h5>10:05 - 10:35 a.m. Advanced strategies in LC-MS/MS for clean-up and analysis of PFAS compounds in various sample matrices</h5><ul><li>Namrata Saxena (Phenomenex)</li></ul><h5>10:35 - 11:00 a.m. Behavior and metabolic effects of PFAS in wheat</h5><ul><li>Yanwei Zhang (China)<ul><li>*Speaking language: Chinese</li></ul></li></ul><h5>11:00 - 11:25 a.m. Standardization of IEC test methods for PFAS regulation compliance in the electrical, electronics, and automotive plastic industries</h5><ul><li>Jaehak Jung (Korea)<ul><li>*Speaking language: Korean</li></ul></li></ul><h5>11:25 - 11:55 a.m. Nontarget screening of PFAS transformation products during photoelectrochemical degradation of PFAS in water</h5><ul><li>Jheng-Sian, Yang (Taiwan)<ul><li>*Speaking language: Chinese</li></ul></li></ul><h5>11:55 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. Q&amp;A</h5>*Sessions delivered in non-English languages will be supported with English subtitles.<blockquote>Speaker: Yanwei Zhang, Ph.D. (Associate Researcher, Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China)Speaker:&nbsp;Jaehak Jung, Ph.D. (Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Korea Institute of Analytical Science and Technology (KAIST), Republic of Korea)Speaker: Jheng-Sian Yang, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor, Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, National United University, Taiwan)Speaker: Holly Lee (Staff Scientist, Global Technical Marketing, Food, SCIEX)Speaker: Eshani Galermo (Staff Scientist, Pharma/Biopharma Quant Lead, SCIEX)Speaker: Namrata Saxena (Technical Manager, Asia/Pacific, Phenomenex)Speaker: See Chung Yip (Field Application Manager, SCIEX)</blockquote>

PFAS Asia Summit 2026

Stay ahead of the changing PFAS landscape in Asia. Learn about evolving regulations, industry impacts, and cutting-edge LC-MS/MS analytical methods

PFAS Asia Summit 2026: Trends, Regulations & LC-MS/MS  

<div><h4>Minimizing QC Release Risk Through Molecule‑Specific Analytics in Empower™ CDS</h4>As MALS gains adoption in QC, many biopharmaceutical labs face a disconnect between absolute molecular measurements and confident lot‑release decisions. Reliance on relative SEC methods, manual calculations, and subjective interpretation can obscure risks related to aggregation, recovery, and molecular distribution - often emerging only during method transfer or regulatory review.In this webinar, we show how integrating QC‑ready MALS into an Empower™ workflow enables labs to quantify and manage release risk. Standardized calculations convert raw MALS data into objective, reviewable metrics - reducing analyst‑dependent interpretation and supporting defensible release decisions before risks become compliance issues.<h4>What will you learn?</h4><ul><li>Transition MALS from characterization to routine QC testing</li><li>Automate critical molecular metrics tied to release specifications</li><li>Improve consistency, traceability, and confidence in release decisions</li></ul><h4>Who should attend</h4><ul><li>QC Managers and Directors responsible for release testing</li><li>MSAT and Method Transfer teams moving methods into QC</li><li>Analytical Development scientists supporting late stage programs</li><li>Regulatory Affairs and Compliance professionals focused on audit readiness</li><li>Organizations working with proteins, peptides, biologics, or complex modalities where aggregation and heterogeneity impact release decisions</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Colette Quinn, Ph.D. (Light Scattering Portfolio Owner, Waters Corporation)Colette Quinn is a Sr. business development manager in the biopharmaceutical group at Waters Corporation. Her focus is around biophysical solutions and how to integrate biophysical and biochemical approaches to enable a “totality of evidence” based approach to problems.</blockquote><blockquote>Presenter: Neil Lander (Senior Principal Product Manager, 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, Senior Principal Product 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.</blockquote></div>

Waters Corporation: Reduce QC Release Risk with Molecule Specific Analytics: QC Ready MALS in Empower™ CDS

Reduce QC Release Risk with Molecule Specific Analytics: QC Ready MALS in Empower™ CDS

Reduce biopharma release risks by integrating MALS into Empower CDS. Automate molecular metrics, eliminate manual math, and secure audit readiness

Reduce QC Release Risk with Empower Integrated MALS

Discover how mass spectrometry imaging is expanding beyond molecular detection in this US HUPO webinar featuring experts discussing innovative imaging approaches and emerging biomedical applications.<blockquote>Presenter: Dr. Angela Kruse (Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University)Presenter: Dr. Yasmin Shanneik (Postdoctoral Associate Baylor College of Medicine)Moderator: Dr. Jessica MooreModerator: Dr. Colleen Crouch</blockquote>

US HUPO: Spatial Imaging Series: More Than Mass Spec

Spatial Imaging Series: More Than Mass Spec

Join the US HUPO webinar to explore advances in mass spectrometry imaging and innovative approaches beyond conventional MS analysis.

<div>As adeno-associated virus (AAV) therapies advance toward larger-scale manufacturing, achieving consistent full capsid enrichment remains a critical challenge. Variability between serotypes and purification conditions can affect product quality, recovery, and process scalability.In this webinar, Chiu Lau-Barre will share practical strategies for developing robust anion exchange (AEX) polishing workflows, drawing on real-world AAV2 and AAV9 examples.Attendees will gain insight into approaches for improving purification performance, streamlining process development, and supporting efficient scale-up. The session will also highlight how modern screening tools can help accelerate decision-making and reduce development timelines.<h5>Attend this webinar to:</h5><ul><li>Understand key variables that influence AEX polishing performance of full/empty capsid separation for AAVs</li><li>Explore AAV2 and AAV9 case studies demonstrating how AEX polishing methods can be optimized across serotypes</li><li>Learn how high-throughput AEX screening can accelerate process development and support scalable workflow implementation</li><li>Identify process development strategies that can help reduce optimization timelines and support scale-up readiness</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Chiu Lau-Barre (Staff Scientist, Field Applications at Thermo Fisher Scientific)Chiu Lau-Barre is a staff scientist at Thermo Fisher Scientific, where she supports customers in purification process development and troubleshooting across a range of biomolecules, including antibodies and adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors. With more than 15 years of biopharmaceutical industry experience, she has held scientific leadership roles at Pfizer and Eli Lilly, contributing to antibody and protein therapeutic development from early-stage screening through process development. Her expertise spans purification strategy, developability assessment and scalable bioprocess workflows. Chiu holds a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from the University of California, Santa Barbara.</blockquote></div>

Technology Networks: Polishing Strategies for Full Adeno-Associated Capsid Enrichment

Polishing Strategies for Full Adeno-Associated Capsid Enrichment

In this webinar, strategies for developing robust anion exchange (AEX) polishing workflows, drawing on real-world AAV2 and AAV9 examples.

Strategies for Full Adeno-Associated Capsid Enrichment

<div><h4>Unlock the Power of Full-Spectrum Flow Cytometry</h4>A two-part masterclass designed to help you understand, design, and apply high-dimensional flow cytometry workflows across immunology, oncology, and vaccine research.<h5>Session 2: Designing and Analysis of Spectral Flow Experiments</h5><ul><li>Key Advantages of Spectral Technology. Learn how spectral systems enable higher multiplexing, improved resolution, and enhanced flexibility in panel design for complex experiments.</li><li>Workflow of Spectral Flow Cytometry. Step through the complete experimental journey—from panel design and sample preparation to acquisition and interpretation of high-dimensional data.</li><li>Unmixing and Data Analysis Strategies. Gain insights into spectral unmixing principles and advanced analytical approaches that transform raw data into meaningful biological interpretation.</li></ul><h5>Why Attend?</h5><ul><li>Move beyond conventional flow limitations</li><li>Design high-dimensional experiments confidently</li><li>Learn real-world applications</li><li>Interact with flow cytometry experts</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Dr. Hemant Agrawal (Director, Flowcytometry Solutions Pvt. Ltd., India)Flow cytometry educationalist and global trainer with 15+ years of experience. Conducted 80+ onsite and 40+ online workshops worldwide. An active member of ISAC (International Society for Advancement of Cytometry) task forces, Dr. Agrawal is widely recognized for advancing cytometry education globally and has been an invited faculty at prestigious Indo-US Cytometry Workshops.</blockquote><blockquote>Presenter: Dr. Saket Siddharth (Field Application Scientist – Flowcytometry, Agilent Technologies)Saket Siddharth is a Flow Cytometry and Cell Analysis specialist with over nine years of experience spanning clinical cytometry, spectral cell sorting, and advanced multicolor panel design. He holds a Ph.D. from the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Brunswick, Germany, and has developed strong expertise across antibody development, high-throughput screening, and assay validation for translational and research applications.</blockquote></div>

Agilent Technologies: Spectral Flow Cytometry Masterclass - Session 2

Spectral Flow Cytometry Masterclass - Session 2

Learn high-dimensional spectral flow cytometry workflows with Cytek. Master panel design, sample prep, and advanced spectral unmixing strategies

Spectral Flow Cytometry Masterclass

As materials become increasingly sophisticated, understanding their optical properties is essential for driving innovation, improving product performance, and ensuring quality. Whether developing anti-reflective coatings, optimising solar cell efficiency, designing specialty glass, or researching next-generation materials, accurate optical characterisation is a critical part of the workflow.Join us for this webinar to discover how the Agilent UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer enables researchers and industry professionals to measure and characterise a broad range of optical properties across diverse sample types and applications.The webinar will showcase measurement techniques for transmission, reflectance, diffuse reflectance, and angular measurements, highlighting how the Agilent UV-Vis-NIR platform delivers reliable and reproducible data for both research and industrial applications.<h4>Why Attend?</h4>In this session, you will learn:<ul><li>How the Agilent UV-Vis-NIR can be used to characterise thin films, coatings, solar materials, and glass.</li><li>Techniques for measuring transmission, reflectance, and diffuse reflectance with confidence.</li><li>Methods for determining film thickness and evaluating optical performance.</li><li>How specialised accessories expand measurement capabilities for challenging samples.</li><li>Best practices for obtaining accurate, reproducible results across a variety of applications.</li><li>Real-world examples demonstrating how optical measurements can accelerate research and product development.</li></ul><h4>Who Should Attend?</h4>This webinar is designed for:<ul><li>Academic Researchers and Students<ul><li>Researchers in materials science, physics, chemistry, and engineering.</li><li>Scientists investigating thin films, nanomaterials, optical materials, and photonic devices.</li><li>Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers seeking advanced optical characterisation techniques.</li></ul></li><li>Solar and Photovoltaics<ul><li>Scientists and engineers developing solar cells and photovoltaic materials.</li><li>Researchers evaluating anti-reflective coatings and light management strategies.</li><li>Teams working to improve solar cell efficiency through optical optimisation.</li></ul></li><li>Glass and Coatings Industries<ul><li>Manufacturers of architectural, automotive, and specialty glass.</li><li>Researchers developing low-emissivity and anti-reflective coatings.</li><li>Quality control and R&amp;D professionals responsible for optical performance testing.</li></ul></li><li>Advanced Materials and Industrial R&amp;D<ul><li>Thin film and semiconductor researchers.</li><li>Optical coating manufacturers.</li><li>Scientists working with displays, sensors, filters, and advanced functional materials.</li><li>Analytical laboratories requiring precise optical characterisation.</li></ul></li></ul><h5>Featured Applications</h5><ul><li>Thin film and multilayer coating analysis</li><li>Anti-reflective and optical coating characterisation</li><li>Solar cell and photovoltaic material evaluation</li><li>Optical filter transmission and blocking measurements</li><li>Architectural and specialty glass analysis</li><li>Reflectance measurements at varying angles of incidence</li><li>Film thickness determination</li><li>Diffuse reflectance measurements of scattering materials</li><li>Optical characterisation of emerging materials in academia and industry</li></ul>Discover how the Agilent UV-Vis-NIR platform combines exceptional optical performance, flexible sampling accessories, and intuitive workflows to provide the insights needed to advance research, optimise products, and solve challenging analytical problems.<blockquote>Presenter: Mr. Rajwar Chandra (Product Specialist - Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies)Chandra Rajwar is a Product &amp; Market Specialist with over 20 years of experience in Molecular Spectroscopy products and analytical instrumentation. He specializes in UV-Vis, FTIR, Raman, and related spectroscopy solutions, supporting customers with application development, workflow optimization, and analytical excellence across pharmaceutical, chemical, environmental, and research industries.</blockquote><blockquote>Presenter: Ms. Vijaya Jyothi (Product Specialist - Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies India Pvt. Ltd.)Vijaya Jyothi is a seasoned product specialist at Agilent Technologies. She manages the spectroscopy division, having extensive expertise in spectroscopy applications across diverse industries, offering deep insights and solutions tailored to varied analytical needs.</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Characterising Advanced Materials with the Agilent UV-Vis-NIR - From Thin Films and Solar Cells to Glass and Optical Coatings

Characterising Advanced Materials with the Agilent UV-Vis-NIR: From Thin Films and Solar Cells to Glass and Optical Coatings

Characterize thin films, solar cells, and coatings with Agilent UV-Vis-NIR. Master reflectance, transmission, and angular measurement workflows

Materials Characterization with Agilent UV-Vis-NIR

<div>Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse class of persistent environmental contaminants that can accumulate in biological systems and pose potential risks to human and environmental health. Understanding how different PFAS structures behave within living organisms, including the distribution of individual isomers and their biological effects, remains a significant analytical challenge.In this webinar, researchers will demonstrate how matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization trapped ion mobility spectrometry mass spectrometry was used to differentiate PFAS isomers, analyze PFAS-exposed bacterial biomass, and investigate tissue-specific PFAS distribution in a mouse model.The session will also explore PFAS-associated changes to the hepatic lipidome, highlighting the potential of advanced mass spectrometry approaches for PFAS research.<h4>Attend this webinar to:</h4><ul><li>Understand advanced mass spectrometry approaches for PFAS detection, characterization, and isomer differentiation</li><li>Learn how spatial imaging techniques reveal the biological impact and tissue distribution of environmental contaminants</li><li>Explore emerging applications of spatial mass spectrometry for studying microplastics and other environmental pollutants</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: &nbsp;Elizabeth Neumann, PhD &nbsp;( Assistant Professor, University of California, Davis)&nbsp;Elizabeth Neumann is an assistant professor in the chemistry department at UC Davis. Her research focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular architecture behind complex human disorders, such as renal cell carcinoma, spina bifida and Alzheimer's Disease.&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote>Presenter: Autumn Qiu, PhD ( Assistant Professor, Michigan State University)&nbsp;Prof. Tian (Autumn) Qiu earned her Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Peking University and her PhD from the University of Minnesota. Autumn’s PhD studies focused on nanotoxicity mechanisms in environmental bacteria at the Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology. She was a Beckman Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and worked on D-amino acids in the microbiome-gut-brain axis. She joined Michigan State University as an Assistant Professor in 2022. Her lab investigates interactions among environmental contaminants, microbial metabolism, and host responses using mass spectrometry, particularly MALDI-MS, integrated with animal models and toxicological analyses.&nbsp;</blockquote></div>

Bruker: Unlocking New Insights Into PFAS Distribution and Biological Impact

Unlocking New Insights Into PFAS Distribution and Biological Impact

Explore advanced PFAS analysis with MALDI-TIMS-MS imaging. Discover how to differentiate isomers and investigate tissue-specific lipidome changes

Spatial PFAS Analysis: MALDI-TIMS-MS

<h4>LC Coffee Breaks Free Webinar Series</h4>Each episode focuses on answering a specific challenge faced by chromatographers, helping you improve efficiency, solve problems faster, and stay up to date with the latest trends in Liquid Chromatography.<h4>Episode 1</h4><h5>Mastering Overpressure - Prevention and Solutions that Work</h5><h4>What will you learn</h4><ul><li>Overpressure is a common LC challenge that can lead to downtime and unreliable results. Learn or review how to:</li><li>Identify key causes and solve them</li><li>Prevent issues in practical ways</li></ul><h4>Why you should attend</h4>Get practical, users insights you can immediately apply in your daily LC laboratory work.&nbsp; In just a short coffee-break session, you'll gain valuable tips on troubleshooting, method development, method transfer, technology updates, column chemistries, and real-world applications.<blockquote>Speaker: Walter Migliaccio (Sales Application Chemist, Waters)</blockquote>

LC Coffee Breaks: Mastering Overpressure - Prevention and Solutions that Work

Learn how to identify, solve, and prevent LC system overpressure. Join Waters' short webinar to eliminate downtime and keep your analysis running

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