<p><strong>🎤Daniel DeBord </strong>(Chief Technology Officer at MOBILion Systems)</p><p><strong>Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has been the backbone of modern analytical workflows for decades — but what if one of its most trusted components is also its biggest bottleneck?</strong></p><p>In <strong>Episode 50 </strong>of Concentrating on Chromatography, host Dave Oliva sits down with Daniel DeBord to explore how high-resolution ion mobility may be changing the way scientists think about precursor isolation in tandem MS.</p><p>Traditional MS/MS workflows rely on quadrupole filtering to isolate precursor ions prior to fragmentation. But because quadrupoles operate as mass filters, they routinely discard the vast majority of incoming ions — often more than 99% — contributing to signal loss, slower acquisition speeds, and chimeric spectra in complex mixtures.</p><p>Daniel explains how Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations (SLIM) technology introduces an additional gas-phase separation step between LC and MS — enabling:</p><ul><li>Near-lossless ion transmission through the instrument</li><li>Separation based on size-to-charge rather than mass-to-charge</li><li>Cleaner MS/MS spectra with reduced spectral chimerism</li><li>LC gradient compression without sacrificing analytical resolution</li><li>Peak capacities comparable to 20–30 minute LC separations — achieved in milliseconds</li></ul><p>For chromatographers, this raises an important question:</p><p>If critical separations can occur in the mobility domain, how much chromatography do we actually need?</p><h4><strong>Daniel also discusses:</strong></h4><ul><li>Whether HRIM could supplement or replace quadrupoles in future instruments</li><li>Applications in proteomics, metabolomics, and environmental analysis</li><li>Integrating ion mobility into triple quadrupole workflows</li><li>Challenges around method development and data processing</li><li>What the next generation of LC-ion mobility-MS platforms may look like</li></ul><h3><strong>Video Transcription</strong></h3><h4><strong>From Chemistry to Instrument Development</strong></h4><p>Nelson’s path into analytical chemistry combined interests in chemistry, mathematics, engineering, and instrumentation design. During graduate studies at <strong>Texas A&amp;M University</strong>, he became fascinated by the ability to build custom instruments capable of measuring molecules invisible to the naked eye.</p><p>Unlike laboratories relying primarily on commercial systems, his research environment involved designing and constructing mass spectrometers from the ground up. This experience provided exposure to:</p><ul><li>Mechanical design</li><li>Electronics</li><li>Software development</li><li>Vacuum systems</li><li>Instrument integration</li></ul><p>The ability to understand multiple engineering disciplines proved valuable later in industry, where instrument development requires collaboration among specialists from numerous technical fields.</p><h4><strong>Transforming a Research Prototype into a Commercial Instrument</strong></h4><p>When Nelson joined <strong>MOBILion Systems</strong> in 2018, the company’s primary challenge was converting a laboratory prototype licensed from the <span>Pacific Northwest National Laboratory</span> into a robust commercial platform.</p><p>The original system was essentially a research prototype requiring substantial redesign before deployment in routine laboratories. The development team focused on improving:</p><ul><li>Safety</li><li>Reliability</li><li>Reproducibility</li><li>Manufacturability</li><li>User friendliness</li><li>Scalability</li></ul><p>Within approximately eighteen months, the company transformed the prototype into a commercial ion mobility platform suitable for integration with modern mass spectrometry workflows.</p><h4><strong>What Is SLIM Technology?</strong></h4><p>SLIM (Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations) is a form of <strong>high-resolution ion mobility spectrometry</strong> that separates ions in the gas phase before mass analysis.</p><p>Nelson describes ion mobility as conceptually similar to chromatography:</p><div><div><figure class="table"><table><thead><tr><th>Chromatography</th><th>Ion Mobility</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Retention time</td><td>Arrival time</td></tr><tr><td>Stationary/mobile phase interactions</td><td>Gas-phase ion transport</td></tr><tr><td>Gradient elution</td><td>Voltage ramping</td></tr><tr><td>Peak capacity</td><td>Mobility peak capacity</td></tr></tbody></table></figure></div></div><p>Instead of separating molecules based on interactions with a stationary phase, ion mobility separates ions according to their <strong>size-to-charge ratio</strong> using carefully controlled electric fields.</p><p>A key advantage is speed. While chromatographic separations typically require minutes, ion mobility separations occur on millisecond timescales, often making them approximately one thousand times faster than conventional LC separations.</p><h4><strong>How SLIM Differs from Traditional Ion Mobility</strong></h4><p>Several ion mobility approaches already exist, including:</p><ul><li>Drift tube ion mobility (DTIMS)</li><li>Trapped ion mobility spectrometry (TIMS)</li><li>Other mobility-based separation technologies</li></ul><p>According to Nelson, SLIM was designed specifically to overcome traditional trade-offs between:</p><ul><li>Resolution</li><li>Sensitivity</li><li>Ion transmission efficiency</li></ul><p>The technology enables:</p><ul><li>Near-complete ion transmission</li><li>Extended separation path lengths</li><li>Resolving powers exceeding 2,000</li><li>Separation of extremely subtle molecular differences</li></ul><p>Examples include distinguishing molecules that differ only by the position of a single isotopic atom—an analytical challenge beyond the capabilities of conventional chromatography or mass spectrometry alone.</p><h4><strong>What Does “Lossless” Really Mean?</strong></h4><p>The phrase <strong>Lossless Ion Manipulations</strong> is central to the SLIM concept.</p><p>Traditional ion mobility systems often sacrifice sensitivity because a significant fraction of ions are lost during transport through the device. SLIM was designed to minimize these losses and maintain nearly complete ion transmission.</p><p>To verify this claim, MOBILion evaluates mass spectrometer sensitivity before and after integration of SLIM modules. According to Nelson, the technology can add meters of ion travel distance while preserving the sensitivity specifications of the original instrument.</p><p>The practical implication is straightforward:</p><blockquote><p>The ions entering the system are largely the same ions reaching the detector.</p></blockquote><p>This enables high-resolution separations without sacrificing analytical sensitivity.</p><h4><strong>Why Challenge the Quadrupole?</strong></h4><p>One of the interview’s most provocative ideas is Nelson’s statement that:</p><blockquote><p>“The problem is the quadrupole.”</p></blockquote><p>Although intentionally provocative, the comment highlights limitations associated with traditional precursor isolation.</p><h5><strong>Limitation 1: Isobaric Co-Isolation</strong></h5><p>Quadrupoles isolate ions based on <strong>mass-to-charge ratio (m/z)</strong>.</p><p>When multiple compounds share identical or nearly identical masses:</p><ul><li>They may be isolated simultaneously.</li><li>Fragmentation produces mixed spectra.</li><li>Interpretation becomes more difficult.</li></ul><p>High-resolution ion mobility introduces an orthogonal separation mechanism based on <strong>size-to-charge ratio</strong>, allowing some compounds with identical masses to be separated before fragmentation. This generates cleaner MS/MS spectra and reduces spectral interference.</p><h4><strong>Faster MS/MS Acquisition Through Ion Mobility</strong></h4><p>Quadrupole performance is constrained by the speed at which electrical fields can change and stabilize.</p><p>Modern high-resolution tandem mass spectrometers typically achieve acquisition rates around:</p><ul><li>50–270 Hz for MS/MS workflows</li></ul><p>In contrast, Nelson reports that mobility-based precursor selection can exceed:</p><ul><li><strong>1,300 Hz</strong></li></ul><p>This improvement is possible because ion mobility packets are separated on millisecond timescales and introduced rapidly into the collision cell and time-of-flight analyzer.</p><p>The result is:</p><ul><li>Faster MS/MS acquisition</li><li>Higher precursor sampling rates</li><li>Improved utilization of available ion signal</li></ul><h4><strong>Where Do the Missing Ions Go?</strong></h4><p>A striking point discussed during the interview concerns ion utilization.</p><p>Conventional quadrupole isolation inherently filters out most ions entering the instrument. According to Nelson, approximately 99% of ions may be discarded during precursor selection. These rejected ions typically accumulate on quadrupole rods and other internal surfaces, contributing to contamination and maintenance requirements.</p><p>Ion mobility operates differently:</p><ul><li>Ions are separated temporally rather than discarded.</li><li>Much larger fractions of the ion population reach the detector.</li><li>Signal utilization increases substantially.</li></ul><p>This improves sensitivity while reducing waste of potentially informative ions.</p><h4><strong>Is Ion Mobility Another Dimension Like 2D-LC?</strong></h4><p>Nelson compares ion mobility to adding an additional orthogonal separation dimension, much like <strong>two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC)</strong>.</p><p>Combining:</p><ul><li>Liquid chromatography</li><li>Ion mobility</li><li>Mass spectrometry</li></ul><p>creates a multidimensional analytical workflow capable of resolving complex mixtures with greater specificity than any single technique alone.</p><p>However, unlike conventional multidimensional chromatography, ion mobility separations occur in milliseconds and therefore integrate seamlessly into standard LC-MS experiments without significantly increasing analysis time.</p><h4><strong>Can Ion Mobility Reduce Chromatography Time?</strong></h4><p>One of the most practical advantages discussed is the possibility of shortening LC methods.</p><p>Many chromatographic methods are designed primarily to separate a few difficult analytes. Achieving adequate chromatographic resolution often requires:</p><ul><li>Long gradients</li><li>Extended run times</li><li>Reduced sample throughput</li></ul><p>If critical analytes can instead be separated in the ion mobility dimension, chromatographic requirements become less stringent.</p><p>Potential benefits include:</p><ul><li>Shorter LC gradients</li><li>Increased throughput</li><li>Reduced solvent consumption</li><li>Simplified method development</li></ul><p>while maintaining analytical specificity and quantitative performance.</p><h4><strong>Applications Driving Adoption</strong></h4><p>The current commercial focus of MOBILion technology spans several sectors:</p><h5><strong>Biopharmaceutical Analysis</strong></h5><ul><li>Characterization of complex biologics</li><li>Enhanced molecular specificity</li></ul><h5><strong>Environmental Analysis</strong></h5><ul><li>Untargeted contaminant screening</li><li>Improved identification confidence</li></ul><h5><strong>Food and Beverage Testing</strong></h5><ul><li>Analysis of complex sample matrices</li></ul><h5><strong>Proteomics</strong></h5><ul><li>Data-independent acquisition (DIA)</li><li>High-throughput peptide identification</li></ul><h5><strong>Metabolomics</strong></h5><ul><li>Characterization of unknown metabolites</li><li>Improved confidence in untargeted studies</li></ul><p>Nelson identifies metabolomics as one of the most promising future growth areas because of its reliance on identifying unknown compounds within highly complex biological matrices.</p><h4><strong>Challenges and Limitations</strong></h4><p>Despite its advantages, ion mobility introduces new considerations.</p><h5><strong>Additional Method Complexity</strong></h5><p>Users must understand:</p><ul><li>Mobility separation principles</li><li>Method optimization strategies</li><li>Appropriate application workflows</li></ul><h5><strong>Data Processing</strong></h5><p>An additional separation dimension generates richer datasets but also increases analytical complexity. Laboratories must adapt software workflows and learn new visualization and interpretation approaches.</p><p>These challenges resemble those encountered when implementing multidimensional chromatography systems.</p><h4><strong>The Future of LC-Ion Mobility-MS</strong></h4><p>Looking ahead, Nelson predicts that ion mobility will become increasingly integrated into routine analytical workflows.</p><p>He points to the widespread adoption of ion mobility in proteomics and expects expansion into:</p><ul><li>Metabolomics</li><li>Environmental testing</li><li>Quantitative LC-MS workflows</li><li>Triple quadrupole applications</li></ul><p>Rather than replacing quadrupoles entirely, he anticipates that future instruments will increasingly combine both technologies to maximize analytical performance. Nevertheless, specialized systems may eventually emerge where high-resolution ion mobility performs much of the functionality traditionally assigned to quadrupoles.</p><h4><strong>Advice for Future Instrument Scientists</strong></h4><p>For students interested in next-generation analytical instrumentation, Nelson emphasizes the importance of:</p><ul><li>Reading primary scientific literature</li><li>Understanding instrument design principles</li><li>Exploring engineering concepts</li><li>Developing interdisciplinary skills</li><li>Building professional networks</li></ul><p>He encourages young scientists to engage directly with researchers and technology developers rather than relying solely on published literature, noting that many valuable insights are shared through personal interactions and collaboration.</p><h4><strong>Conclusion</strong></h4><p>Daniel Nelson presents a compelling vision for the future of analytical instrumentation, where high-resolution ion mobility becomes a central component of LC-MS workflows. By providing fast, high-resolution gas-phase separations with near-lossless ion transmission, technologies such as SLIM offer opportunities to increase sensitivity, improve spectral clarity, reduce chromatographic burden, and accelerate analytical measurements. While quadrupoles remain essential components of many mass spectrometers, the growing adoption of ion mobility suggests that future analytical platforms may increasingly rely on multidimensional separations to address the challenges of modern proteomics, metabolomics, environmental analysis, and biopharmaceutical characterization.</p><blockquote><p><strong>This text has been automatically transcribed from a video presentation using AI technology. It may contain inaccuracies and is not guaranteed to be 100% correct.</strong></p></blockquote><blockquote><h4><strong>Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast</strong></h4><p>Dive into the frontiers of chromatography, mass spectrometry, and sample preparation with host David Oliva. Each episode features candid conversations with leading researchers, industry innovators, and passionate scientists who are shaping the future of analytical chemistry. From decoding PFAS detection challenges to exploring the latest in AI-assisted liquid chromatography, this show uncovers practical workflows, sustainability breakthroughs, and the real-world impact of separation science. Whether you’re a chromatographer, lab professional, or researcher you'll discover inspiring content!</p><p>You can find <strong>Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast </strong>in podcast apps:</p><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1wZg67rCjoGju4yhqxI3tL"><strong>Spotify</strong></a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/tz/podcast/concentrating-on-chromatography/id1788429185"><strong>Apple podcast</strong></a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podscan.fm/podcasts/concentrating-on-chromatography"><strong>podscan</strong></a></li></ul><p>and on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/@ChromatographyTalk/videos"><strong>YouTube channel</strong></a></p></blockquote>

 LC-MS Is Throwing Away 99% of Your Signal — Can Ion Mobility Fix It?

<div><div><p><strong>Dr. Tomáš Cihlář, Senior Vice President of Research, Virology at Gilead Sciences, and Dr. Jeffrey Birnbaum, an American pediatrician who has long worked with young Americans at risk of HIV infection or living with the virus, visited IOCB Prague for a joint lecture. The event focused on the future of long-acting HIV prevention and treatment.</strong></p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Tomas_Bellon_Od_kazdodennich_pilulek_k_jedne_injekci_rocne_UOCHB_navstivili_prukopnici_prevence_HIV_f5ca13985a.jpg" alt="IOCB Prague/Tomáš Belloň: From daily pills to one injection a year. HIV prevention pioneers visit IOCB Prague: Dr. Tomáš Cihlář, Gilead Sciences" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Tomas_Bellon_Od_kazdodennich_pilulek_k_jedne_injekci_rocne_UOCHB_navstivili_prukopnici_prevence_HIV_f5ca13985a.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="2000" height="1333"></p></div></div><div><p>Modern HIV treatment is shifting from daily medication to long-acting prevention. This was the central theme of the joint lecture titled <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.uochb.cz/en/event-calendar/372/joint-lecture-tomas-cihlar-jeffrey-birnbaum"><strong>HIV Treatment – From Bench to Clinical Practice</strong></a>. <i>“HIV is by no means just a medical problem, but also a social, economic, psychological, and legal one,” </i>said Institute Director <strong>Prof. Jan Konvalinka </strong>in his opening remarks.</p><p>In <strong>2022</strong>, Gilead Sciences’ drug <strong>lenacapavir </strong>was launched on the U.S. market. The company has a long-standing collaboration with OICB Prague, for example on tenofovir – a substance that became the basis for modern HIV drugs.</p><p><i>“During the development of lenacapavir, we broke all the rules we’re supposed to follow when searching for new drugs,” </i>said <strong>Dr. Tomáš Cihlář</strong> in his lecture, describing the creation of the drug that targets the virus’s protein envelope. Today, it is used not only for treatment but also for preventing infection. Its development took several decades. <i>“Around 2010, we even wanted to give up, but then a new candidate molecule emerged,”</i> concluded Tomáš Cihlář, recounting the story of the drug’s development.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Tomas_Bellon_Od_kazdodennich_pilulek_k_jedne_injekci_rocne_UOCHB_navstivili_prukopnici_prevence_HIV_2_4e1804920e.jpg" alt="IOCB Prague/Tomáš Belloň: From daily pills to one injection a year. HIV prevention pioneers visit IOCB Prague: Jeffrey Birnbaum, M.D., MPH, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, NY, USA" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Tomas_Bellon_Od_kazdodennich_pilulek_k_jedne_injekci_rocne_UOCHB_navstivili_prukopnici_prevence_HIV_2_4e1804920e.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="2000" height="1333"></p><p>The FDA and the European Commission approved the<strong> preventive use of lenacapavir in 2025</strong>, but research continues. The ongoing international clinical trial PURPOSE 365 is investigating whether the drug can be administered just once a year instead of the currently approved two injections.</p><p><strong>Dr. Jeffrey Birnbaum</strong> shared his experiences from daily hospital practice at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn. In his practice, he primarily sees young people from the transgender community, for whom a long-acting preventive injection is a particularly attractive option. <i>“Patients don’t have to worry that someone will discover their medication. There’s also no risk of forgetting to take it, and they avoid pill fatigue, the long-term psychological exhaustion associated with the need to take medication regularly.”</i></p><p>Although lenacapavir represents a significant medical advance, the way the drug reaches people is also crucial. Approximately <strong>400 million</strong> people are currently at risk of HIV infection, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Although Gilead Sciences has six manufacturing partners on the African continent, current U.S. government cuts to HIV prevention funding are dramatically affecting the availability of HIV prevention programs.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Tomas_Bellon_Od_kazdodennich_pilulek_k_jedne_injekci_rocne_UOCHB_navstivili_prukopnici_prevence_HIV_3_e7f4f6a043.jpg" alt="IOCB Prague/Tomáš Belloň: From daily pills to one injection a year. HIV prevention pioneers visit IOCB Prague" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Tomas_Bellon_Od_kazdodennich_pilulek_k_jedne_injekci_rocne_UOCHB_navstivili_prukopnici_prevence_HIV_3_e7f4f6a043.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="2000" height="1335"></p></div>

From daily pills to one injection a year. HIV prevention pioneers visit IOCB Prague

<p style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:start;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;"><strong>A special photocatalytic material based on graphitic carbon nitride, developed at the University of Ostrava and VŠB - Technical University of Ostrava can effectively break down antibiotics and other pharmaceutical substances that commonly used wastewater treatment technologies are generally unable to remove, meaning drug residues end up in waterways via the sewer system. This is the conclusion of research conducted in collaboration with experts from the Department of Analytical Chemistry at the Faculty of Science, Palacký University.</strong></p><p style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:start;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;">The study’s results were published in the international journal <strong>iScience</strong>. The scientists will continue to test the potential use of the photocatalytic material in wastewater treatment.</p><div><blockquote><p><i>“Analytical chemistry plays a crucial role in the development of new environmental technologies.” <strong>Petr Bednář</strong></i></p></blockquote></div><p>The research team focused on the<strong> efficiency of photocatalysis</strong>, a process in which a special light-activated material triggers chemical reactions that break down organic pollutants in water. The graphitic carbon nitride used contains no metals, is chemically stable, and works not only under ultraviolet radiation but also under ordinary visible light.</p><p><i>“Laboratory experiments showed that within <strong>two hours</strong>, the material was able to remove more than<strong> 95 percent </strong>of the antibiotic ofloxacin and the drug diclofenac. In the case of caffeine, the efficiency reached approximately 80 percent,”</i> said Petr Bednář from the Department of Analytical Chemistry at the Faculty of Science.</p><p>The experts also described the degradation mechanisms and, using liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry, identified the intermediates formed during the ongoing reactions. The results suggest that most of these substances pose a <strong>lower environmental burden </strong>than the original drugs.<i> “Without modern analytical methods, we would not be able to determine whether harmful substances actually degrade safely and what chemical processes occur during water treatment. Analytical chemistry therefore plays a crucial role in the development of new environmental technologies,”</i> noted Petr Bednář.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KACH_UPOL_Novy_material_pomaha_rozkladat_antibiotika_v_odpadnich_vodach_04bd4942d4.jpg" alt="UPOL/Petr Bednář: New material helps break down antibiotics in wastewater: A combination of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry used to measure antibiotic degradation products. " srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KACH_UPOL_Novy_material_pomaha_rozkladat_antibiotika_v_odpadnich_vodach_04bd4942d4.jpg 208w," sizes="100vw" width="1280" height="960"></p><blockquote><h4><strong>Original article</strong></h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(25)02160-1"><strong>Photocatalytic degradation and transformation of pharmaceuticals using exfoliated metal-free g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub></strong></a></h4><p>Petr Praus, Anna Gavlová, Jan Hrbáč, Kristina Schmidtová, Petr Bednář</p><p><strong>Praus et al., 2025, iScience 28, 113899</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2025.113899">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2025.113899</a></p><h6>licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"><strong>CC-BY 4.0</strong></a></h6></blockquote><h4><strong>Abstract</strong></h4><p>Pharmaceuticals are micropollutants of global concern that contribute to environmental contamination alongside other anthropogenic and natural chemical compounds. This study addresses the photocatalytic degradation of model pharmaceutical compounds ofloxacin, diclofenac, and caffeine using bulk and thermally exfoliated graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4). Bulk g-C3N4 was synthesized from dicyandiamide at 550°C and exfoliated at 500 °C for 1-3 h in an ambient atmosphere. The structural, textural, and electronic properties of the prepared materials were evaluated.</p><p>Graphitic carbon nitride exfoliated for 2 h provided the best photocatalytic degradation efficiencies (&gt;95%) for both ofloxacin and diclofenac and approximately 80% for caffeine, determined for 120 min under irradiation at 420 nm. The pharmaceuticals were degraded, and their intermediate degradation products were investigated using liquid chromatography combined with high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry. The successful identification of the main degradation products allowed us to propose transformation pathways for the studied pharmaceuticals.</p>

New material helps break down antibiotics in wastewater

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

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

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

Organomation

Palacký University Olomouc (UP) is an internationally respected and scientifically and academically highly productive university in Central Europe. Founded 22 December 1573, it is the second-oldest university in the Czech Republic and the oldest one in Moravia. For 450 years it has contributed to the intellectual wealth of society and to its scientific, cultural, and social development.

Palacký University Olomouc

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Phenomenex

Thermo Fisher Scientific

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SCIEX

Waters Corporation

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<p><strong>In the third webinar of the Small Molecules, Big Impact series, we will explore how MaxPeak Premier Columns are being applied in discovery workflows, with real-world examples of recently approved drug compounds analyzed using this technology.</strong></p><p>Attendees will see how improved surface chemistry can enable more accurate and reliable characterization of in-flight drug products, helping scientists generate high-quality chromatographic data when it matters most. This session is designed for analytical scientists supporting discovery programs who want a deeper understanding of current LC technologies on the market and how MaxPeak Premier Columns can be leveraged to strengthen confidence in their analytical results. Examples will also be given to how Waters technologies can improve throughput using ultra-short columns.</p><h4><strong>Who should attend</strong></h4><ul><li>Analytical scientist supporting discovery groups.</li></ul><h4><strong>Why you should attend</strong></h4><ul><li>Understand how MaxPeak Premier Columns can be used to improve. characterization of new and in-flight drug compounds during discovery workflows</li><li>Review examples of recently approved drugs analyzed with MaxPeak Premier technology and the resulting improvements in chromatographic performance.</li><li>Learn where and how to apply MaxPeak Premier Columns within discovery.&nbsp;</li></ul><h4><strong>What you will walk away with</strong></h4><ul><li>A stronger understanding of how MaxPeak Premier Columns can help characterize new compounds more easily and accurately.</li><li>Expert insights and perspectives on applying this technology to real-world drug development challenges.</li><li>Access to resources that enable you to further evaluate and research MaxPeak Premier technology for your own analytical workflows.</li><li>Learn practical strategies for increasing throughput in discovery experiments, including the use of ultra-short UPLC columns.</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Speaker: </strong>Kenneth Berthelette (Principal Scientist, Waters Corporation)</p><p>Ken earned his Bachelor of Science in Professional Chemistry from Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, Massachusetts in 2010.</p><p>He joined Waters Corporation in March 2012, where he contributed to multiple product launches as part of the Research and Development team. In 2021, Ken transitioned into a role supporting Chemistry Aftermarket initiatives.</p><p>With a strong focus on applications and customer education, he has delivered numerous seminars and webinars covering topics such as method development, method modernization and transfer, HILIC separation techniques, and LC system troubleshooting.</p></blockquote>

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Discover how MaxPeak Premier Columns improve LC analysis of new drugs, enhancing accuracy, performance, and throughput in discovery workflows.

Next-Gen Drug Discovery with Inert LC Solutions

<h4><strong>Tackle Real Workflows for Complex Bioanalysis Challenges</strong></h4><ul><li>Working in DMPK?</li><li>Curious how modern software is making workflows for new modalities easier?</li></ul><p>We’re excited to invite you to DMPK in Action, a new 3-part webinar series designed for &nbsp;bioanalysis scientists that brings real workflows to your screen through practical demonstrations of our system and software.</p><h5><strong>See real DMPK workflows in action - designed for the challenges of modern, complex therapeutics.</strong></h5><p>In short 30 min sessions, we’ll show real workflows, with a focus on practical applications, efficiency, and how DMPK scientists can move from sample to result with greater confidence.</p><h5><strong>Episodes</strong></h5><ul><li>Explore the DMPK workflow in action</li><li>From Sample to Result</li><li>Data handling and analysis with confidence</li></ul><h5><strong>Why you should attend</strong></h5><p>Each session shows how our system and software support practical DMPK tasks, improve visibility, and help teams work more efficiently.</p><h5><strong>You'll see:</strong></h5><ul><li>Real DMPK workflow demonstrations.</li><li>Practical use cases for bioanalysis scientists.</li><li>How our system and software support consistency, reliability, and efficiency.</li></ul><h5><strong>Who should attend</strong></h5><p>If you’re involved in DMPK, bioanalysis, or ADME workflows, this series is designed to give you a clear look at how the process works in practice, delivered straight to your office</p><p><i>Can't attend the webinars live? Register today and watch the episodes on-demand at your convenience.</i></p><blockquote><p><strong>Speaker:</strong> Antonia Wierzbicki (Principal MS Market Dev Manager, EMEA, Waters Corporation)</p><p>Antonia Wierzbicki is a MS market development manager at Waters working in EMEA. Antonia has BSc in Pharmaceutical Science and a MSc in Cancer Pharmacology.</p><p>Following several years working as an analytical chemist in drug development roles within both academic labs and contract research organizations, Antonia has more recently spent time working with analytical chemists to provide solutions using cutting edge technologies to meet their needs and requirements, with a specific interest in ultra-sensitive quantitation of small molecules.</p><p>Antonia is based in Cambridge UK and keen to connectwith like-minded scientists in the field.</p><p><strong>Speaker:</strong> Henry Foddy (Associate Scientist, Waters Corporation)</p><p>Henry is a Scientist in the Routine Mass Detection Team at Waters, working on applications to support Waters’ single quadrupole portfolio that span a variety of market segments. He has almost 3 years of experience with Waters, working previously in a food and environmental role support regulatory testing of Pesticides, PFAS, and Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids. Prior to joining Waters, Henry obtained an MSc in Neuroscience from King’s College London.</p></blockquote>

Data handling and DMPK analysis with confidence

Join Waters webinars on DMPK bioanalysis workflows, data handling, and modern software tools supporting efficient ADME and bioanalysis applications.

Data handling and DMPK analysis

<p><strong>Bringing innovative antibody therapeutics to market quickly requires more than upstream efficiency. It demands adaptable and robust downstream purification strategies.</strong></p><p>As novel mAb formats increase in complexity, purification challenges grow. Achieving required purity and yield often extends beyond traditional 2–3 step platform processes, requiring expanded chromatography options and optimized buffer systems.</p><h5><strong>In this webinar, we will discuss:</strong></h5><ul><li>Practical strategies for designing a flexible downstream purification toolkit</li><li>Approaches to buffer optimization for challenging antibody molecules</li><li>Ways to streamline process development while maintaining performance</li></ul><p>Register to learn how a well-designed purification toolkit can help accelerate development timelines and improve process robustness.</p><blockquote><p><strong>Speaker:&nbsp;</strong>Chantelle Gaskin (Field Application Scientist, Purification, Thermo Fisher Scientific)</p><p>Chantelle Gaskin is a Field Applications Staff Scientist specializing in protein and viral vector purification. She previously held leadership roles at Applied Genetic Technology Corporation and Brammer Bio before joining Thermo Fisher Scientific in 2020. With over 10 years of gene therapy experience, she has extensive knowledge of industry practices and regulatory standards, contributing to therapies for ocular, CNS, and systemic diseases. Chantelle holds a Master’s in Chemistry from the University of Florida and a Bachelor’s from Smith College.</p><p><strong>Speaker:</strong> Carlos Ferrero (Field Application Scientist, Thermo Fisher Scientific)</p><p>Biotechnology graduate from Madrid with a Master’s in Biochemical Engineering from London. He brings over 5 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry—over three years in downstream manufacturing and two years as a Field Application Scientist specializing in process liquids at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Passionate about bridging technical expertise with real-world application to support innovation in bioprocessing.</p><p><strong>Speaker:</strong> Ryan Hubbell (Product Manager, Process Liquids, Thermo Fisher Scientific)</p><p>Ryan Hubbell serves as the Associate Product Manager for Process Liquid Preparation Services at Thermo Fisher. He has professional experience in Quality Control, Operations, and Clinical Research. Ryan holds a master’s degree in biomedical engineering and is set to complete his MBA in May 2025.</p></blockquote>

Thermo Fisher Scientific: Supporting Efficient mAb Development with a Flexible Downstream Purification Toolkit

Supporting Efficient mAb Development with a Flexible Downstream Purification Toolkit

Optimize downstream purification for complex mAb formats. Learn buffer and chromatography strategies to streamline development and boost yield

Flexible Downstream Toolkit for Efficient mAb Development

<div><p><strong>Persistent challenges in RNA manufacturing—such as immunogenic double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) impurities and unreliable quantitation methods—can limit product quality, scalability, and confidence in process decisions. These bottlenecks are increasingly critical as RNA is applied beyond vaccines into therapeutics and gene editing.</strong></p><p>This webinar explores practical strategies to reduce immunogenicity and improve RNA quality across manufacturing workflows. Attendees will gain insight into how purification and analytical approaches can enhance consistency and yield, alongside advances in quantitation methods that enable more reliable measurement.&nbsp;</p><p>Join to better understand how to optimize RNA purity and analysis to strengthen process control and downstream success.</p><h5><strong>Attend this webinar to:</strong></h5><ul><li>Identify and characterize dsRNA impurities in RNA manufacturing workflows</li><li>Apply purification strategies to reduce immunogenic byproducts and improve RNA quality across applications</li><li>Evaluate and validate analytical methods for accurate and reliable RNA quantitation</li><li>Use decision frameworks to integrate purification and measurement approaches for scalable, reproducible manufacturing</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Nathaniel Clark, PhD ( Senior Scientist at Repligen Corporation)</p><p>Dr. Nathaniel Clark is a senior scientist at Repligen. He has a doctorate in biochemistry and structural biology from UMass Amherst and studied RNA as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Texas. At Repligen, he uses structural biology, protein engineering, and modeling to design novel affinity resins.</p></blockquote></div>

Repligen: Improving RNA Purity and Measurement for Reliable Bioprocessing

Improving RNA Purity and Measurement for Reliable Bioprocessing

Optimize RNA purity and analysis. Learn to reduce immunogenic dsRNA impurities and validate analytical methods for reliable quantitation in RNA manufacturing

Improving RNA Purity and Measurement for Bioprocessing

<p><strong>Ion chromatography remains central to environmental water analysis, but the way established methods such as EPA 300 A/B and perchlorate are being applied today has evolved. Advances in eluent generation, column design, and system configuration are changing how laboratories approach sensitivity, robustness, and method reliability often without formally changing the method itself.</strong></p><p>This webinar focuses on recent, practical developments in the most widely used environmental IC applications. Topics include updated perchlorate workflows using potassium hydroxide eluents, modernized EPA 300 A/B approaches enabled by the most current column formats, and emerging strategies for haloacetic acid (HAA) analysis. The discussion goes beyond method names to examine how implementation options influence performance in routine laboratory use.</p><p>The session will be led by Metrohm IC experts Jay Gandhi and Linx Waclaski, who bring extensive hands‑on experience supporting environmental laboratories and developing practical IC workflows for regulated water analysis. Drawing from real‑world method optimization, troubleshooting, and application support, the speakers will connect today’s IC hardware and column advances to the challenges labs encounter every day. Attendees can expect technically grounded guidance that goes beyond theory, with insights shaped by direct experience helping environmental labs improve method performance, reliability, and efficiency.</p><h4><strong>Key Learning Objectives:</strong></h4><ul><li>Optimize IC methods for key environmental applications, including perchlorate, EPA 300 A/B, and haloacetic acids (HAAs)&nbsp;</li><li>Apply best practices to improve data quality, robustness, and reproducibility&nbsp;</li><li>Compare eluent and column strategies, including carbonate vs. hydroxide (KOH) workflows&nbsp;</li><li>Identify opportunities to increase sample throughout</li></ul><h4><strong>Who Should Attend:</strong></h4><ul><li>Environmental lab analysts performing water analysis by ion chromatography</li><li>Lab managers and supervisors seeking to improve data quality, robustness, and consistency</li><li>Laboratories looking to increase sample throughput and reduce analysis time</li><li>IC users interested in optimizing methods, including modern column strategies</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Speaker: </strong>Jay Gandhi, Ph.D. (Vertical Market Manager, Metrohm USA)</p><p><strong>Speaker:&nbsp;</strong>Linx Waclaski (Product Manager for Ion Chromatography, Metrohm USA)</p><p><strong>Speaker:</strong>&nbsp;Melissa O'Meara (Forensic Science Consultant, ACS Media Group)</p></blockquote>

Metrohm: New Approaches to Established Environmental IC Methods

New Approaches to Established Environmental IC Methods

Optimize environmental water analysis by ion chromatography. Learn advanced column strategies and workflows for perchlorate, EPA 300 A/B, and HAAs.

<p><strong>In this webinar, Fred Foster, Applications Scientist at GERSTEL, Inc., will introduce GERSTEL’s automated sample preparation systems, then transition to a multi-omics presentation by Noah Smeriglio, Ph.D. Candidate in Chemistry, and Gwangbin Lee, Ph.D. in Chemistry, Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Maryland.</strong></p><p>This presentation will highlight an automated, integrated multi-omics workflow for extracting proteins, lipids, and metabolites from a single sample using the GERSTEL MPS platform. Validated across cell and tissue samples and coupled with LC-MS/MS analysis, the workflow enables reproducible, high-throughput multi-omics studies in complex biological applications.</p><h5><strong>You will learn how to:</strong></h5><ul><li>Optimize key parameters in your workflow</li><li>Improve recovery and reproducibility of proteins, lipids, and metabolites</li><li>Increase throughput for complex biological samples</li></ul><h5><strong>Full Abstract</strong></h5><p>Mass-spectrometry-based omics technologies have enabled the comprehensive characterization of diverse types of molecules, such as proteins, lipids, and metabolites, across biological systems. Integration of multiple molecular classes from the same sample reduces variability and enables system-level insights into biology and disease. However, conventional sample preparation methods using Folch or MTBE extraction are labor-intensive, susceptible to variability, and difficult to scale for high-throughput applications. Here, we developed an automated and integrated multi-omics sample preparation workflow using the GERSTEL MPS platform. Key experimental parameters were systematically optimized to achieve robust and reproducible recovery of proteins, lipids, and metabolites from a single sample. The workflow was validated across both cell and tissue samples, demonstrating strong reproducibility and scalability. Coupled with LC-MS/MS analysis, this platform was used to analyze over 60 brain samples from a neurodevelopmental disorder mouse model, achieving the identification and quantification of over 10,000 proteins, 2,000 lipids, and 700 metabolites. In summary, this automated multi-omics workflow provides a robust and scalable solution for high-throughput MS-based multi-omics studies.</p><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Fred Foster (Applications Scientist, GERSTEL, Inc.)</p><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Noah Smeriglio, Ph.D. (Candidate, Chemistry, University of Maryland)</p><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Gwangbin Lee (Postdoctoral Associate, Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Maryland)</p></blockquote>

GERSTEL: An Automated Sample Preparation Platform for Integrated Proteomics, Lipidomics, and Metabolomics

An Automated Sample Preparation Platform for Integrated Proteomics, Lipidomics, and Metabolomics

Automate multi-omics sample prep. Learn to extract proteins, lipids, and metabolites from a single cell or tissue sample using the GERSTEL MPS platform

Automated Sample Prep for Multi-Omics Workflows

<h3><strong>Bringing laboratory automation to life with Andrew+ and OneLab</strong></h3><p>This webinar series explores how Andrew+ automated liquid handling and OneLab workflow software support consistent, traceable and efficient laboratory operations. Through application‑focused episodes, you will see how automation can be successfully integrated into everyday laboratory workflows, from method development to routine and regulated environments, supported by real‑world customer experiences and testimonials.</p><h4><strong>Episode 4 – Food &amp; Environmental Workflows</strong></h4><h4><span style="color:#212121;"><strong>Overview</strong></span></h4><p>Food and environmental testing laboratories face complex matrices, high sample volumes and strict quality requirements. This episode highlights how automation helps standardise sample preparation while reducing manual workload and operational risk, with <strong>direct insight from laboratories applying these solutions in routine testing.</strong></p><h4><span style="color:#212121;"><strong>Key highlights</strong></span></h4><ul><li>Standardise sample preparation in complex food and environmental matrices</li><li>Improve repeatability by automating pipetting and solid phase extraction (SPE) workflows</li><li>Support auditing, troubleshooting and regulatory needs through automated workflow documentation</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Speaker: Xavier Rodriguez </strong>(Principal Applications Specialist, Chemistry, Europe - Waters Corporation)</p><p>Xavier is part of the European Market Development Team. He works as an Application Specialist with focus on sample prep and has more than 20 years of experience in solving sample prep challenges.</p><p><strong>Customer testimonials: Labexia </strong>– Groupe CARSO</p><p>Labexia is part of Groupe CARSO, a European analytical services group specialising in food testing, environmental analysis and routine laboratory services.</p><p>In this episode, Labexia shares how automation has been implemented in day‑to‑day food testing workflows to streamline pipetting and sample preparation activities. The testimonial illustrates how automated liquid handling helps free up technicians’ time, improve repeatability and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal strain in routine laboratory operations.</p></blockquote><h5><strong>Reserve Your Spot Today!</strong></h5>

Transform Your Daily Lab Operations with Automation - Food and Enviromental Workflows

Automate food and environmental testing workflows. Learn how Andrew+ and OneLab standardize sample prep, automate SPE, and improve laboratory traceability

Automated Food & Environmental Lab Workflows

<h4><strong>Key Learning Points</strong></h4><ul><li>Understand the correct steps to take when first receiving a new column, including inspection procedures and initial test runs.</li><li>Learn practical techniques to extend column lifetime and maintain performance over time.</li><li>Identify when a column should be retired by recognizing key end-of-life indicators.</li><li>Apply best practices for column conditioning, activation, and proper storage.</li></ul><h4><strong>Who Should Attend</strong></h4><p>Any analysts and scientists routinely working with HPLC/UHPLC columns who want practical care, maintenance, and lifetime‑extension tips.&nbsp;</p><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Duilio Romanello (Senior Technical Specialist, Phenomenex)</p><p>Duilio Romanello earned his MSc in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology from the University of Bologna. He joined Phenomenex in 2008 as an Inside Technical Sales Consultant, later leading GC/SPE and Env/Food teams in Italy. Since 2016, he has been Account Manager for Southern Italy and GC Specialist. In 2023, he became Senior Technical Specialist for Phenomenex’s Technical team supporting scientists globally with method development, troubleshooting, and application support.</p></blockquote>

Phenomenex: Tips for Getting the Best Out of Your LC Phenomenex Column

Tips for Getting the Best Out of Your LC Phenomenex Column

Discover best practices for HPLC/UHPLC column care, conditioning, storage, troubleshooting, and lifetime extension.

Getting Best Out of Your LC Phenomenex Column

<p><strong>Join us for an insightful webinar exploring reliable quantitation of GLP 1 analogues in bioanalysis and IP 2026 updates.</strong></p><p>This session will cover the strategic approaches for robust quantitation of GLP 1 analogues, emphasizing control strategy and method robustness over sensitivity. It also covered challenges such as matrix effects and analyte instability, along with key updates on Indian Pharmacopoeia monograph development, harmonization, and global recognition. in short as per the guideline's</p><blockquote><p><strong>Speaker: </strong>Dr. Pankaj Partani (Head-Application Support at SCIEX, PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences)</p><p><strong>Key highlights</strong></p><ul><li>Robust GLP 1 quantitation is not about pushing limits—it’s about making the right strategic choices at every step.</li><li>Reliable GLP 1 data is built on control strategy, robustness, not just sensitivity.</li><li>Challenges in GLP 1 quantitation arise from matrix effects, instability, and non specific losses, not instrument capability.</li></ul><p>Dr. Gaurav Pratap Singh Jadaun, Ph.D. (Senior Principal Scientific Officer<br>Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, Ghaziabad)</p><p><strong>Key highlights</strong></p><ul><li>The monograph development process</li><li>Their revision and harmonization, updates of the general chapters, international recognition of the IP, and IP Online portal</li></ul></blockquote>

SCIEX: Reliable quantitation of GLP‑1 analogues in bioanalysis and IP 2026 updates

Reliable quantitation of GLP‑1 analogues in bioanalysis and IP 2026 updates

Join us for an insightful webinar exploring reliable quantitation of GLP 1 analogues in bioanalysis and IP 2026 updates.

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