<div><div><div>Treating inherited diseases is one of the greatest challenges in modern medicine. In the future, targeted gene corrections at the earliest stages of embryonic development could help prevent certain inherited diseases from developing and being passed on to future generations. However, the safety of such approaches depends on how human embryos repair the DNA damage caused during gene editing and on the limitations of available technologies. These questions are addressed in a study published in the journal Nature, led by first author Štěpán Jeřábek, who is affiliated with both Columbia University and IOCB Prague. The research also involved two other IOCB Prague scientists, Iva Pichová and Michal Doležal.</div></div><div>Although DNA repair is one of the fundamental processes required for normal human embryonic development, little has been known about how it operates during the earliest stages of development. The new study is the first to provide a detailed comparison of how human embryos respond to two different types of DNA damage. “The study shows that early human embryos are able to effectively repair single-strand DNA damage, whereas the repair of double-strand breaks is significantly less reliable at this stage of development,” says the study’s first author, Štěpán Jeřábek.</div><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Studie_v_casopise_Nature_prinasi_prelomove_poznatky_o_moznostech_opravy_genetickych_chorob_v_ranem_embryonalnim_vyvoji_2_f9389b9db2.webp" alt="IOCHB Prague: A study in Nature sheds new light on DNA repair in early human embryos, with implications for future gene correction: The diagram illustrates the difference between CRISPR-Cas9 and base editing. The study shows that the method used to disrupt DNA affects the mechanism by which it is repaired in early human embryos. Credit: Adapted from Jeřábek et al., Nature, 2026." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Studie_v_casopise_Nature_prinasi_prelomove_poznatky_o_moznostech_opravy_genetickych_chorob_v_ranem_embryonalnim_vyvoji_2_f9389b9db2.webp 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1620" height="911">To examine these repair mechanisms in detail, the researchers introduced targeted changes into two well-studied genes using two different genome-editing tools. Using CRISPR–Cas9, the researchers introduced double-strand breaks into embryonic DNA, while base editing produced only a single-strand nick. They then analyzed how the embryos' DNA repair mechanisms responded to each type of DNA damage.Michal Doležal and Iva Pichová from IOCB Prague contributed to the purification of the protein-based editors used in the study to introduce precisely defined single-strand DNA changes. “Collaboration on the study began as early as 2021, and over the following years we prepared several editor variants for experiments carried out by our colleagues at Columbia University. Some of these were ultimately used in the study. We found that delivering the editors directly into embryonic cells as proteins, rather than as mRNA, was compatible with normal embryonic development,” says Michal Doležal.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Studie_v_casopise_Nature_prinasi_prelomove_poznatky_o_moznostech_opravy_genetickych_chorob_v_ranem_embryonalnim_vyvoji_3_fc4dfcf14c.webp" alt="IOCHB Prague: A study in Nature sheds new light on DNA repair in early human embryos, with implications for future gene correction: A human embryo at the blastocyst stage, in whose DNA Dieter Egli's group performed base editing in the PCSK9 and HBG genes. Credit: Štěpán Jeřábek (Columbia University and IOCB Prague)." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Studie_v_casopise_Nature_prinasi_prelomove_poznatky_o_moznostech_opravy_genetickych_chorob_v_ranem_embryonalnim_vyvoji_3_fc4dfcf14c.webp 208w," sizes="100vw" width="1620" height="1215">One of the study’s key findings is that the researchers successfully isolated stem cells from the edited six-day-old embryos. The stem cells provide sufficient genetic material for detailed analyses, allowing the researchers to investigate the effects of gene editing in greater depth. In addition, they make it possible to study the consequences of introduced genetic changes in subsequent generations of cells.In addition to providing new insights into DNA repair, the study also highlights the limitations of current genome-editing technologies and the need for continuous research. “Our goal was not to develop a method for genetically modifying human embryos but rather to better understand, through basic research, how DNA repair mechanisms function in the early stages of human development. Although base editing represents a significant improvement over CRISPR–Cas9 in terms of DNA repair precision, our findings also show that many important questions regarding safety must be answered before these methods can be considered for clinical use in human embryos,” says Štěpán Jeřábek.The research was conducted in Dieter Egli's laboratory under the oversight of Columbia University's ethics committee. Even before publication, the study attracted international attention and was covered by leading global media, including The New York Times. Jan Konvalinka, IOCB Prague Director, emphasizes that this type of basic research is important not only scientifically but also from a broader societal perspective. “I consider the ethical debate surrounding studies like this to be both legitimate and necessary. The purpose of basic research is to expand the boundaries of knowledge while helping us better understand the possibilities and limitations of current technologies. That is precisely why this work represents an important contribution to both scientific and public debate.”The project was initially funded by IOCB Tech, the technology transfer office of IOCB Prague. After two years, the IOCB Tech Foundation took over funding for the project. “We supported this research because it was an exceptionally promising project by a talented IOCB Prague scientist at Columbia University. As we can now see, it has produced results of global significance,” says Milan Prášil, Director of IOCB Tech.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Studie_v_casopise_Nature_prinasi_prelomove_poznatky_o_moznostech_opravy_genetickych_chorob_v_ranem_embryonalnim_vyvoji_bb7bafc971.webp" alt="IOCHB Prague/Tomáš Belloň: A study in Nature sheds new light on DNA repair in early human embryos, with implications for future gene correction: First author of the study Štěpán Jeřábek (Columbia University) with co-authors Michal Doležal and Iva Pichová (IOCB Prague)." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Studie_v_casopise_Nature_prinasi_prelomove_poznatky_o_moznostech_opravy_genetickych_chorob_v_ranem_embryonalnim_vyvoji_bb7bafc971.webp 234w," sizes="100vw" width="810" height="540"><blockquote><h4>The original article</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-11118-x">Highly efficient base editing at PCSK9 and normal human embryo development</a></h4>Stepan Jerabek, Chanju Jung, Michelle Kappy, Qiaojin Zhao, Julie Sung, Ning Wang, Euihyun Kim, Jimin Kim, Marcos Iuri Roos Kulmann, Madeleine Bliss King, Mitchell John McAndrew, Meng Li, Sakshi Bhatele, Melisa Isado, Hong-Su Jang, Michal Dolezal, Robert Prosser, Shuangyi Xu, Gue-Ho Hwang, Iva Pichova, Jia Xu, Diego Marin, Jae-Sung Woo, Sangsu Bae, Nathan Treff, Audrone Lapinaite &amp; Dieter EgliNature, 2026, doi: 10.1038/s41586-026-11118-x<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-11118-x">https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-11118-x</a>&nbsp;</blockquote></div>

A study in Nature sheds new light on DNA repair in early human embryos, with implications for future gene correction

In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, host David Oliva is joined for the&nbsp;first time by co-host Candice (Candi) Gokey — PhD candidate at UC San Diego / San Diego State University and expert in LC-MS/MS method development for untargeted metabolomics to interview Jacob Russell, a third-year PhD student in the Riley Research Group at the University of Washington (Seattle).Jacob's research sits at the frontier of mass spectrometry-based intact glycoproteomics, where the goal is to keep glycans attached to peptides during analysis — preserving the biological information that is lost when glycans are enzymatically removed. His lab, led by Prof. Nick Riley, develops new methods to tackle every stage of glycoproteomic analysis, from sample preparation and enrichment through data acquisition and bioinformatics.<h4>WHAT WE COVER:</h4><ul><li>What is the glycocalyx, and why does glycoproteomics matter for cancer, immunity, and protein biology?</li><li>N-linked vs. O-linked glycosylation: why they require completely different fragmentation strategies (HCD vs. ETD/EThcD)</li><li>Autonomous Dissociation-type Selection (ADS): how real-time library searching (RTLS) of oxonium ion ratios (m/z 138 vs. 144) enables on-the-fly selection of the right fragmentation method for N- vs. O-glycopeptides — published in J. Proteome Research (Sutherland, Veth, Russell et al., 2024)</li><li>How XGBoost machine learning outperforms RTLS by classifying ~50 oxonium ions simultaneously, recovering Core 2 O-glycopeptides that the simpler ratio-based method misses</li><li>Casanovo Foundation: a transformer-based foundation model for tandem mass spectra and how deep learning is reshaping glycopeptide classification (Sanders et al., arXiv 2025)</li><li>LacNAc-ase enabled glycoproteomics: using endo-β-galactosidase (EBG) to "trim" poly-LacNAc chains on N-glycans — uncovering previously undetectable glycoforms (ASMS 2026 presentation)</li><li>Cutaneous vs. uveal melanoma: comparing poly-LacNAcylated glycoproteins (including galectin-3 binding partners like CD63, LAMP-2, and basigin) between cell lines —&nbsp;and why uveal melanoma has a ~50% distant metastasis rate vs. ~5% for cutaneous&nbsp;</li><li>The future of intelligent data acquisition and real-time mass spectrometry</li><li>Candi's parallel world of untargeted metabolomics, coral-algae chemical communication, and GNPS/MassQL — and the surprising overlap with glycoproteomics</li></ul><h3>Video Transcription</h3><h4>Why glycoproteomics is so challenging</h4>Glycans play fundamental roles throughout biology. They are involved in immune processes, cancer, protein folding, protein stability, and many other cellular functions. Every living cell studied to date carries a glycan-rich surface layer, making glycosylation an important component of biological regulation and disease.&nbsp;Studying glycoproteins, however, is considerably more complicated than conventional proteomics. One traditional way to simplify an experiment is to enzymatically remove glycans from proteins before analysis. While this makes the analytical problem easier, it also removes information about which amino acid carried a particular glycan.The Riley laboratory instead works extensively with intact glycoproteomics, retaining the glycan on the peptide so that both the peptide sequence and glycosylation information can be investigated together. This introduces challenges at virtually every stage of the workflow, from enrichment and sample preparation through mass spectrometric acquisition to bioinformatic interpretation.&nbsp;Russell emphasized that glycoproteomics still trails conventional proteomics in areas such as identification depth and standardized workflows. At the same time, these limitations provide opportunities for new analytical methods, including improved enrichment, acquisition strategies, instrumentation, and post-acquisition data processing.&nbsp;<h4>N- and O-glycopeptides require different analytical strategies</h4>One of the central complications is that N-linked and O-linked glycosylation behave differently.N-glycosylation occurs at a relatively well-defined amino-acid sequence motif involving an asparagine residue. This predictable localization means that collision-based fragmentation can often provide sufficient information for identifying N-glycopeptides.O-glycosylation presents a more difficult problem. O-glycans can occur at serine or threonine residues without an equivalent conserved sequence motif, and multiple O-glycans may be present on a single peptide. With conventional collision-based fragmentation, the glycan can be lost before sufficient peptide backbone information is generated, making it difficult to assign the modification to a specific amino acid.&nbsp;To preserve localization information, researchers can use electron-based fragmentation such as electron transfer dissociation (ETD). ETD preferentially fragments the peptide backbone while leaving the glycan attached. The Riley group also employs supplemental collisional activation, combining the benefits of electron- and collision-based fragmentation. This can help separate non-covalently associated fragments while also producing glycan-derived fragments known as oxonium ions, which provide additional information about glycan composition.&nbsp;The difficulty is therefore not simply detecting a glycopeptide. The instrument must ideally determine what kind of glycopeptide it is and select the most informative fragmentation strategy accordingly.<h4>Making fragmentation decisions in real time</h4>Earlier approaches to simultaneous N- and O-glycopeptide analysis often relied on product-dependent triggering. A collision-based MS/MS spectrum would first be acquired and examined for oxonium ions. If these characteristic glycan fragments were detected, the instrument would trigger an additional electron-based fragmentation event.The limitation, according to Russell, is that this approach essentially asks only whether a precursor is a glycopeptide. It does not determine whether the spectrum is more likely to originate from an N- or O-glycopeptide. As a result, slower electron-based scans may be triggered unnecessarily, consuming valuable acquisition time during an LC-MS experiment.&nbsp;To address this problem, the researchers developed an approach based on autonomous dissociation type selection and real-time spectral evaluation.The strategy initially uses real-time library searching to compare an acquired spectrum with reference patterns characteristic of N- and O-glycopeptides. Particular attention is paid to two oxonium-ion signals at m/z 138 and 144. Their relative intensities provide information that can help distinguish the two glycopeptide classes.If the acquired spectrum resembles an O-glycopeptide, the instrument can selectively trigger the more time-consuming electron-based fragmentation only where it is most useful. This makes more efficient use of instrument time and increases the amount of relevant information collected during a chromatographic run.&nbsp;<h4>From two diagnostic ions to machine learning</h4>Although the real-time library strategy improved acquisition efficiency, it still had limitations.Some O-glycans contain structural features that can make their oxonium-ion pattern resemble that of N-glycans. A classification based primarily on the 138/144 ratio can therefore misclassify certain O-glycopeptides and fail to trigger the appropriate fragmentation experiment.&nbsp;Machine learning offered a way to expand the decision beyond two diagnostic ions.Rather than considering only a small number of manually selected signals, the new approach can evaluate approximately 50 oxonium-ion intensities simultaneously. Published, well-annotated glycoproteomics datasets can then be used to train models capable of recognizing more complex spectral patterns associated with different glycopeptide classes.&nbsp;For this work, the group uses an in-house tool called GlyCounter to extract oxonium-ion intensities from spectra. These values are subsequently provided to an XGBoost machine-learning model.According to Russell, offline extraction with GlyCounter may take several minutes for a large dataset, while XGBoost itself can train and perform classifications extremely quickly. More importantly for intelligent acquisition, the pre-trained model can classify spectra on a millisecond timescale, making it suitable for real-time operation during LC-MS analysis.&nbsp;<h4>Machine learning improves glycopeptide classification</h4>The machine-learning work was performed in collaboration with the laboratory of William Noble at the University of Washington.When several machine- and deep-learning approaches were benchmarked against the earlier real-time library-searching strategy using a large published glycopeptide dataset, the learning-based methods substantially improved classification performance. Russell highlighted an especially important result: XGBoost was able to correctly recognize certain complex O-glycopeptide spectra that the simpler rule-based method had classified as N-glycopeptides.Recovering these spectra means that information previously missed during acquisition can now be retained and subjected to the more appropriate fragmentation strategy.&nbsp;Gokey drew parallels with challenges in untargeted metabolomics, where researchers also work with increasingly large spectral libraries and computational tools for interrogating characteristic fragments and mass-to-charge ratios. Their discussion highlighted a broader trend across mass spectrometry: analytical workflows are increasingly moving from acquiring everything first and interpreting it later toward using information generated during the experiment to guide what the instrument does next.&nbsp;<h4>Getting more information from the mass spectrometer</h4>Russell sees intelligent data acquisition as a way to make better use of modern instrumentation.Rather than treating an LC-MS method as a fixed sequence of predetermined events, real-time processing allows the instrument to react to the data it is generating. Classification or spectral interpretation can therefore influence which precursor is selected, what fragmentation method is used, or which additional experiment should be performed.He stressed that further development will depend on cooperation between academic researchers, industrial scientists, and instrument manufacturers, particularly through broader support for real-time mass spectrometry capabilities.&nbsp;Gokey noted that similar concepts could eventually be valuable in areas such as native mass spectrometry, where researchers may benefit from observing molecular behavior and adjusting analytical parameters while an experiment is still running. Both researchers see computing resources, software integration, and access to real-time instrument control as important factors determining how quickly such strategies become routine.&nbsp;<h4>Simplifying highly complex glycans</h4>Another part of Russell's research focuses on particularly large N-glycans containing poly-N-acetyllactosamine (poly-LacNAc) structures.These elongated glycans consist of repeating monosaccharide units and are biologically important, including in immune processes, tumor invasion, and metastasis. Their size and structural microheterogeneity, however, create major analytical problems. Large glycopeptides may ionize poorly, while the number of possible glycan configurations can make spectral interpretation difficult.&nbsp;The researchers are exploring an enzymatic approach that removes the extended repeating region without removing the entire glycan from the peptide. Using endo-β-galactosidase, the poly-LacNAc chain can be shortened while retaining enough of the glycan structure to preserve biologically relevant information.The resulting glycopeptides are easier to ionize and exhibit reduced microheterogeneity, simplifying intact glycoproteomic analysis. The concept had previously been demonstrated at the glycomics level, and the group has been investigating how to incorporate it into intact glycopeptide workflows.<h4>Exploring glycosylation in melanoma</h4>One application of this workflow is the comparison of cutaneous and uveal melanoma.The researchers are interested in whether differences in poly-LacNAc glycosylation could contribute to the markedly different metastatic behavior of these diseases. Russell explained that poly-LacNAc structures have previously been associated with tumor-cell invasion and migration, making them an interesting target for investigating biological differences between the two melanoma types.&nbsp;This work illustrates the wider motivation behind the development of new glycoproteomics technologies. Improvements in enrichment, fragmentation, intelligent acquisition, and computational interpretation are not only about generating more identifications. They can make previously inaccessible biological questions experimentally tractable.The discussion between Russell and Gokey ultimately points toward a future in which mass spectrometers become increasingly adaptive analytical systems. By combining real-time spectral information with machine learning and carefully designed chemical workflows, researchers may be able to make better fragmentation decisions, recover information that would otherwise be lost, and analyze increasingly complex biological systems with greater depth and efficiency.<blockquote>This text has been automatically transcribed from a video presentation using AI technology. It may contain inaccuracies and is not guaranteed to be 100% correct.</blockquote><blockquote><h4>Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast</h4>Dive into the frontiers of chromatography, mass spectrometry, and sample preparation with host David Oliva. Each episode features candid conversations with leading researchers, industry innovators, and passionate scientists who are shaping the future of analytical chemistry. From decoding PFAS detection challenges to exploring the latest in AI-assisted liquid chromatography, this show uncovers practical workflows, sustainability breakthroughs, and the real-world impact of separation science. Whether you’re a chromatographer, lab professional, or researcher you'll discover inspiring content!You can find Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast in podcast apps:<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1wZg67rCjoGju4yhqxI3tL">Spotify</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/tz/podcast/concentrating-on-chromatography/id1788429185">Apple podcast</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podscan.fm/podcasts/concentrating-on-chromatography">podscan</a></li></ul>and on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/@ChromatographyTalk/videos">YouTube channel</a></blockquote>

Decoding the Glycocode: AI-Powered Glycoproteomics & Cancer Research

RAFA 2026 Scientific Programme

Article

Events

Video

Scientists

Interview

Science and research

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

Recent Advances in Food Analysis (RAFA)

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

Separation Science

Agilent Technologies

Petro Industry News

Separation Science, in collaboration with Agilent, offers an on-demand webinar that discusses the progression of smart GC features and the many benefits provided from the first GC systems to those of today.
<h3>Register for this on-demand learning event ...</h3>
Throughout the last 50+ years, gas chromatography has come a long, way. Not only are GCs of today faster, easier and more efficient – they’re smarter, almost intuitive, which makes your life, in the lab (and when not in the lab) easier and more efficient.
Not too long ago, your GC was connected to a PC and you had to go through the PC to communicate with the GC – like going through the long-distance operator to place an overseas call. Today, you can connect to and communicate with the smart GC at any time from almost anywhere (anywhere your laboratory network will allow). This direct connection gives you many more options and opportunities to interact with the instrument, access information, status, and perform diagnostics directly from the instrument itself.
With smart GC systems you can start a sample run before you leave for the day, check on the status once you get home, last check in before bed so you can be sure the run is complete and the data is ready and waiting for you when you get in the next morning. This lets you hit the ground running rather than finding out upon your arrival at the lab, that something happened overnight, and you have to start the run over again.
In addition, Smart Alerts can help keep track of consumable usage, which can often foil a well-designed experiment. Smart Alerts provides reminders for when to change consumables and leverages the application knowledge base. When it’s time to replace a consumable the help screens and diagnostic functions enable quick and efficient maintenance and eliminate the guess work.
And the best part is that these smart GC systems keep getting smarter. A simple firmware update delivers the most recent updates to your GC system to provide the up-to-the-minute intelligent features – keeping you and your lab current and ready for changes in testing requirements, higher sensitivity levels or new features. The ability to stay current keeps you and your lab one step ahead of the competition. So whether you work in Food or Pharma, Environmental or Energy, a smart GC system lets you spend more time on what matters.
<h5>What does it cover?</h5>
<ul>
<li>The real time, cost and frustration saving benefits of the smart GC systems</li>
<li>How to increase productivity and reduce unplanned downtime by working smarter</li>
<li>The entire line of smart consumables that provide an additional level of intelligence to your system and your processes</li>
<li>How a simple firmware update provides the next level of intelligent features, letting your instrument get smarter to better prepare you for future testing needs.</li>
</ul>
<h5>By viewing this webinar you will learn how:</h5>
<ul>
<li>Connecting remotely to your GC will allow you to ensure samples are running when you are not there</li>
<li>Troubleshooting instruments away from the lab will allow you to support multiple GCs from a central location</li>
<li>System intelligence ensures that you are always running with a GC that is in top performance</li>
<li>New operators can run GC systems like experts, experts are free to perform other tasks in the lab or remotely support multiple GCs</li>
</ul>
<h3>Why should you view the presentation?</h3>
To see how replacing your older GC systems help increase productivity, reduce unplanned downtime, educate less experienced staff, eliminate guesswork and not require you to work overtime to get it all done. Intelligent GC systems track everything for you, letting you spend your valuable time finding new and delighting current customers rather than tracking injections and finding leaks. With GC systems that get smarter with every firmware update, you can rest assured that you and your lab are ready to take on future challenges. Being ready helps you stay one step ahead of the competition.
<blockquote>
Presenter: George Reiner (GC Software Product Manager, Agilent)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
George Reiner is Agilent’s GC Software Product Manager. Since joining Agilent, George seeks and represents the voice of the customer in all aspects of GC-related software - Agilent CDS systems, add-ons and plug-ins like MatchCompare and Retention Time Locking, as well as customer-related needs on new GC user interfaces.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Jason Ashe (GC Product Manager, Agilent)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Jason Ashe joined Agilent in 2013 with over 20 years of analytical experience and is currently a product manager in the PLAZ marketing group. Jason received his MBA with a focus in organizational leadership from Post University in 2010. Early in his career, he held Chemist and Lab Manager positions at Environmental Waste Resources and EAS Analytical Laboratories, respectively.
</blockquote>

Pixabay/Gerd Altmann: Intelligent GC Systems: Remote Operations and the Future of GC

Intelligent GC Systems: Remote Operations and the Future of GC

How the chromatographic process works is not magic.
It is described by a few key parameters, such as resolution, retention factor, and selectivity. Understanding the equations that define these parameters can make them less intimidating.
In this talk we will discuss:
<ul>
<li>What they are and where they come from
</li>
<li>Their importance
</li>
<li>The effect they have on our chromatography
</li>
<li>When they don’t matter
</li>
</ul>
A better grasp of this key information helps make the separation work for us.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Bill Champion (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Demystifying the Chromatographic Process

Demystifying the Chromatographic Process

How the chromatographic process works is not magic.

Developing reversed-phase chromatographic methods can often be both more efficient and made better by use of a systematic approach rather than a “random walk”.
Combining simple experimental design with chromatographic understanding can help us better understand how the chromatographic parameters affect the separation.
In this talk, we will discuss the use of simple experimental design to optimize our method development and how it can:
<ul>
<li>Help make the method more robust</li>
<li>Help us understand and predict chromatographic behavior</li>
<li>Make it possible to know which parameters are really important</li>
</ul>
Most of these experiments can be set up to run in a simple overnight sequence.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Bill Champion (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Systematic Approach vs. Random Walk - Improving the Efficiency of Method Development and Optimization

Systematic Approach vs. Random Walk - Improving the Efficiency of Method Development and Optimization

Use of simple experimental design to optimize our method development.

HPLC Method Development and Optimization Basics

Whether you develop HPLC methods, run QC samples or perform contract analyses, longer analysis times cost more and FAST LC columns can help you reduce those costs.
In this seminar we will look at:
<ul>
<li>Easy-to-follow steps for converting existing methods
</li>
<li>Developing new, faster methods on existing equipment
</li>
<li>System improvements and adjustments, like flow path connections and detector acquisition rates that can help you get the best performance with your existing system.
</li>
</ul>
We’ll also discuss when and why to consider an enhanced UHPLC systems.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Rita Steed (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Rita Steed began supporting the LC column line for Agilent in 1999. As a Chromatography Specialist (first with Chromatography, Inc., then directly for Agilent), Rita worked on-site with researchers in Pharmaceutical and other industries presenting technical seminars and assisting researchers with troubleshooting and method development. Rita has over 20 years of Chromatography experience in the Biotechnology, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical industries. She has held positions in Research, Sales, and Technical Service. Rita has earned degrees in Microbiology and Life Sciences/Biochemistry. In her current position, she is an inside Application Engineer supporting LC columns.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: High Resolution Fast LC - Easier Than You Think with Simple Changes

High Resolution Fast LC - Easier Than You Think with Simple Changes

Developing new, faster methods on existing HPLC equipment.

Easier Than You Think with Simple Changes

Operating an HPLC can be overwhelming to a new user.
There are many pitfalls or “gotchas”. Even the issue of what tubing and fittings are compatible and which are not can be a serious impediment to successfully operating the HPLC.
In this talk, we will discuss:
<ul>
<li>The importance of connections
</li>
<li>Mobile Phase considerations
<ul>
<li>Quality
</li>
<li>Preventing microbial growth
</li>
<li>Sample/solvent compatibility
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Column Characteristics; Their importance and limitations
</li>
<li>The importance of sample prep
</li>
</ul>
Avoiding these pitfalls can help you achieve long-term, reliable results.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Rita Steed (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Rita Steed began supporting the LC column line for Agilent in 1999. As a Chromatography Specialist (first with Chromatography, Inc., then directly for Agilent), Rita worked on-site with researchers in Pharmaceutical and other industries presenting technical seminars and assisting researchers with troubleshooting and method development. Rita has over 20 years of Chromatography experience in the Biotechnology, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical industries. She has held positions in Research, Sales, and Technical Service. Rita has earned degrees in Microbiology and Life Sciences/Biochemistry. In her current position, she is an inside Application Engineer supporting LC columns.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: New to HPLC? Tips for Avoiding Beginner Pitfalls

New to HPLC? Tips for Avoiding Beginner Pitfalls

What tubing and fittings are compatible and which are not can be a serious impediment to successfully operating the HPLC.

GPC/SEC, Gel Permeation Chromatography or Size Exclusion Chromatography, is a non-interactive chromatographic technique that separates analytes based on their size in solution.
It is often used in laboratories for determination of a polymers&#39; molecular weight distribution but has many other uses.
In this talk we will:
<ul>
<li>Review GPC theory
</li>
<li>Discuss why molecular weight distribution is important
</li>
<li>Look at the different types of columns and their uses
</li>
<li>Cover key column selection criteria
</li>
<li>Show how key parameters like concentration, particle size, and injection volume can affect your separation
</li>
</ul>
We will also look at examples of common mistakes and pitfalls relating to solvent choice, calibration standards, and combining columns in series.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Jean Lane (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
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: Gel Permeation Chromatography Basics and Beyond

Gel Permeation Chromatography Basics and Beyond

GPC/SEC, Gel Permeation Chromatography or Size Exclusion Chromatography.

The technique of Gel Permeation Chromatography is conceptually simple: It is a separation based on size where no enthalpic interactions are observed.
In practice, GPC is often much more involved yielding involved method development and data that can be difficult to interpret. Though GPC can seem mystifying at times 90% of the success is achieved by using the proper columns for your application.
During this e-seminar we will discuss what is new in GPC column technology, different types of stationary phases, and how to choose the best columns which yield:
<ul>
<li>Improved resolution
</li>
<li>Improved reproducibility
</li>
<li>Improved accuracy
</li>
<li>Improved analysis time
</li>
</ul>
The goal of the e-seminar is to illustrate how proper GPC column selection can make the difference between good and great chromatography.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Michael Kruger (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Achieving Superior GPC Results Through the Correct Column Selection

Achieving Superior GPC Results Through the Correct Column Selection

What is new in GPC column technology, different types of stationary phases, and how to choose the best columns.

Achieving Superior GPC Results - Correct Column Selection

<blockquote>
Presenter: Alex Ucci (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Finding the Perfect Match:  Practical Advice on GC Column Selection

Finding the Perfect Match: Practical Advice on GC Column Selection 

This eLearning session introduces the operating principle of the SCD, as well as the innovations brought by Shimadzu to improve the productivity and minimize the instrument downtime. You will learn the various features of Shimadzu SCD which make it a reliable tool for analysing sulfur-containing compounds down to the trace level.
This is demonstrated with various samples, such as trace thiophene in benzene (ASTM D7011 and D4735), sulfur compounds in light petroleum liquids (ASTM D5623), in natural gas and gaseous fuels (ASTM D5504), as well as in beers. Typical hydrocarbon quenching is negligible, making this newly designed SCD one of the most powerful techniques for sulfur speciation.
<h3>Key learning objectives</h3>
<ul>
<li>Operating principle of the SCD </li>
<li>Improve productivity and minimize instrument downtime</li>
<li>Reliable sulfur speciation in various samples</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Jackie (Shimadzu (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
After graduating from the National University of Singapore, Jackie has garnered over 6 years of research, training and facilitation experience. Jackie meets scientists from various industries to share technical knowledge and collect feedback, understanding their problems and helping them find well-suited solutions in GC-related analyses.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Moderator: Tom Lynch CChem FRSC (International Labmate Ltd)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Tom has 35 years of experience in the petroleum industry, specialising in the delivery of forensic and problem solving /method development capabilities for BP Fuels and Lubricants businesses globally. He was also a member of the BP Science Council representing Analytical Science and led a BP wide Analytical Science network. Tom has published over 30 citable papers, 4 book chapters and has given over 60 presentations at conferences. He is a past Vice President of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Analytical Division and a past Chairman of the RSC Separation Science Group. In addition, Tom is a recipient of the Silver Jubilee Medal by the Chromatographic Society and a technical achievement award by the Energy Institute.
</blockquote>

Pixabay/David Mark: Reliable Sulfur Speciation by A Newly Designed GC SCD

Reliable Sulfur Speciation by A Newly Designed GC SCD

<ul>
<li><a href="https://gcms.cz/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/paper/Do-not-fear-the-ghost-unexpected-peaks-troubleshooting-prevention-agilent-webinar-october102019.pdf">PDF for download</a></li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Mark Sinnott (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Alex Ucci (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Don't Fear the Ghost or Unexpected Peaks: Troubleshooting and Prevention

Don't Fear the Ghost or Unexpected Peaks: Troubleshooting and Prevention

What Isn’t a “Peak”?, Bad Gas Stinks, Where Can These Ghost Peaks Come From?, ?, Ghost Peaks from Your Syringe...