This study establishes an integrated workflow for quantitative whole-animal elemental imaging of Caenorhabditis elegans by LA-ICP-TOF-MS. Optimized on-slide preparation using petrolatum improved specimen preservation, while oversampling during laser ablation enabled a spatial resolution of 2 μm.Quantitative elemental maps were generated using matrix-matched gelatin standards designed to mimic tissue ablation depth. The workflow addresses key challenges in sample handling, preservation, spatial resolution, and quantification, expanding the use of LA-ICP-TOF-MS for microscale metal biology and other small model organisms.<blockquote><h4>The original article</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/ancham/article/98/38/28440/5431951/On-Slide-Preparation-of-Caenorhabditis-elegans">On-Slide Preparation of Caenorhabditis elegans toward Quantitative, High-Resolution LA-ICP-TOF Mass Spectrometry Imaging</a></h4>Aidan J. Reynolds# ; Aaron Sue# ; Keith MacRenaris; Thomas V. O’Halloran* ; Tian Autumn Qiu*Anal. Chem. (2026) 98 (38): 28440–28453<div><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.6c04271">https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.6c04271</a></div><h6>licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC-BY 4.0</a></h6></blockquote>Selected sections from the article follow. Formats and hyperlinks were adapted from the original.<div><div><div><div><div><div>In this study, we established an integrated workflow consisting of sample preparation, imaging, and quantitative data analysis for whole-animal elemental imaging of C. elegans by LA-ICP-TOF-MS using petrolatum as a preferred embedding medium and achieved 2-μm spatial resolution with laser ablation oversampling. Compared to water-based embedding media, hydrocarbon-based petrolatum showed excellent preservation of C. elegans while retaining sufficient optical transparency for microscopy visualization, possessed the necessary nonvolatility for long-term storage, and was elementally pure for high-quality LA-ICP-MS imaging. With the assistance of a home-designed 3D-printed tool, uniform layer media application tool (ULMAT), embedding medium was applied as a uniform layer on top of charged microscope slides for on-slide embedding, freezing, and subsequent elemental analysis of C. elegans. An optional and additional step was also used to extract embedded worms from the embedding media layer to prepare petrolatum-coated worms. Comparisons between petrolatum-embedded worms and petrolatum-coated worms were also made to evaluate sample integrity and imaging data quality. Through several time-series experiments at ambient conditions, we evaluated sample integrity under different sample preparation approaches to determine optimal imaging time frames such that tissue decay and metal delocalization did not impede the accuracy of elemental imaging. We then characterized LA-ICP-TOF-MS imaging artifacts indicative of the stages of sample desiccation. We applied an oversampling technique in LA-ICP-TOF-MS imaging and achieved a 2-μm spatial resolution, providing high resolution imaging of C. elegans elemental content. Finally, using metal-spiked gelatin standards and ImageJ-based data analysis pipeline, we developed quantitative LA-ICP-TOF-MS imaging workflow and successfully produced quantitative elemental profiling of key biological elements in C. elegans.<h4>Experimental Section</h4><h5>Microscopy and LA-ICP-TOF-MS Imaging</h5>After sample processing including embedding, freezing and optional desiccation, brightfield, GFP and tdTomato fluorescence imaging of embedded and coated worms were taken using a Zeiss Axio Imager.Z2 upright fluorescence microscope. Embedded and coated worms were then taken for elemental analysis by LA-ICP-TOF-MS imaging using an ESL Bioimage 266 nm laser ablation system coupled to a TofWerk icpTOF S2. Samples were ablated with a laser power of 90% using a 5-μm spot size and a 3-μm overlap. Imaging cup and imaging chamber flow rates were set to 200 mL/min and 250 mL/min, respectively, using helium gas. Laser repetition rate was set to 125 Hz with a washout time of 10 ms. Plasma, auxiliary, and nebulizer gas flow were set to 14.0 L/min, 8.0 L/min, and 0.9–1.0 L/min, respectively. Measurement mode was kinetic energy discrimination (KED) using a helium gas flow of 5 mL/min. Time-of-flight elemental analysis was done using a m/z range of 14–256 at a mass resolving power of 1000. All essential microscopy and LA-ICP-TOF-MS parameters for C. elegans imaging are shown in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/ancham/article-supplement/5431951/pdf/ac6c04271_si_001/">Table S2</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/ancham/article-supplement/5431951/pdf/ac6c04271_si_001/">Table S3</a>.<h4>Results and Discussion</h4><h5>Selection of Embedding Media To Preserve C. elegans Structural Integrity</h5>Preparation of tissue samples for LA-ICP-MS imaging requires preserving tissue morphology and native distribution of elements over possibly hours of instrumental run time. Traits for an ideal embedding medium should be elementally pure to introduce none-to-little background noise, be optically transparent for microscopy, be capable of preserving C. elegans over hours, and not be difficult for the laser to ablate through. We first evaluate the capability of embedding media and application approach to preserve C. elegans structural integrity postprocessing (i.e., after embedding, freezing, and optional desiccation) (<a href="javascript:;">Figure 2</a>A). Two types of embedding media were tested, including aqueous-based hydrophilic media such as OCT and wax-like hydrophobic media such as petrolatum. An isogenic strain of N2, SJ4144, with GFP fluorescence reporters in intestinal cells, was used to better visualize tissues, and brightfield and fluorescence microscopy were used to evaluate tissue morphology.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Anal_Chem_2026_98_38_28440_28453_Figure_2_Summary_of_three_C_elegans_sample_preparation_and_short_term_visualization_of_processed_C_elegans_74a4294b6d.png" alt="Anal. Chem. (2026) 98 (38): 28440–28453: Figure 2. Summary of three C. elegans sample preparation and short-term visualization of processed C. elegans from different preparation. (A) A combined C. elegans embedding workflow for OCT-embedding, petrolatum-embedding, and petrolatum-coating. A synchronized population of day 1 gravid adult C. elegans was rinsed with M9 and transferred to an unseeded NGM plate to let the extra M9 buffer absorb into nematode growth media prior to the embedding workflows. (B) Appearance of day 1 gravid adult SJ4144 C. elegans embedded in OCT, embedded in petrolatum, and coated in petrolatum observed before and after a 1.5-hour time period, visualizing differences in brightfield, GFP fluorescence, and preservation effectiveness. Brightfield black contrast was set to 0 for all microscopy images. OCT-embedded and petrolatum-coated brightfield white contrast was set to 16 000 and 9000, respectively. Petrolatum-coated brightfield white contrast was set to 6000. Green fluorescence black contrast was set to 150, and white contrast was set to 1500 for all microscopy images. White scale bars in microscopy images represent 100 μm." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Anal_Chem_2026_98_38_28440_28453_Figure_2_Summary_of_three_C_elegans_sample_preparation_and_short_term_visualization_of_processed_C_elegans_74a4294b6d.png 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1289" height="789">We found that the tested water-based embedding media were ineffective in preventing embedded C. elegans from desiccation and subsequent structural deformation (<a href="javascript:;">Figure 2</a>B, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/ancham/article-supplement/5431951/pdf/ac6c04271_si_001/">Figure S2</a>). In OCT-embedded worms, the morphology and fluorescence reporter were clearly preserved immediately after the slide was taken out of the freezer (hour 0); however, signs of desiccation appeared after 1.5 h (<a href="javascript:;">Figure 2</a>B). Hygroscopic dopants such as glycerol can be added to improve water retention capabilities of these media; however, these molecules typically function as osmolytes (<a href="javascript:;">40</a>) or penetrating cryoprotectants. These additives likely displaced water from tissues, resulting in more rapid tissue desiccation. Compared to OCT, fish gelatin and glycerol-doped CMC showed better preservation of reporter fluorescence and worm body, while the wrinkled appearance of the worm cuticle indicated deformation (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/ancham/article-supplement/5431951/pdf/ac6c04271_si_001/">Figure S2</a>).<h5>Simultaneous Mapping of Multiple Elements by High-Resolution LA-ICP-TOF-MS</h5><div>The LA-ICP-TOF-MS technology provides the capability to image most elements on the periodic table simultaneously with the TOF analyzer. Using this technology, we successfully demonstrated simultaneous mapping of biologically relevant elements such as 31P, 55Mn, 56Fe, 63Cu, and 66Zn in C. elegans, exceeding previous quadrupole-based LA-ICP-MS studies on C. elegans with one or two elements and their respective isotopes. (<a href="javascript:;">31−33</a>) The metallome of C. elegans consists of Na, Mg, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn representing the most abundant metals, and lower-abundance metals such as Co, Mo, and Se. (<a href="javascript:;">53−56</a>) While LA-ICP-TOF-MS as a technology provided simultaneous visualization of all relevant elements in analyzed C. elegans, in this work, we present the five most abundant biologically relevant elements, particularly for later quantitative analysis, for their biological importance.</div><div>We visualize 31P, 55Mn, 56Fe, 63Cu, and 66Zn simultaneously in day 1 gravid adult C. elegans prepared by both petrolatum coating (<a href="javascript:;">Figure 4</a>A) and petrolatum embedding (<a href="javascript:;">Figure 4</a>B). By comparing elemental images with brightfield microscope images, we were able to observe discrete visualization of C. elegans anatomy for the assignment of elemental localization. In petrolatum-coated worms, 31P was found throughout the worm’s body and most strongly accumulated in the intestinal cells and posterior region of the worm. 31P is an essential element in biomolecules such as DNA, phospholipids, energy-storage molecules such as ATP, and as such, its abundance can reflect the cell size and activity across regions of tissue. (<a href="javascript:;">57</a>)55Mn exhibited the most discrete localization of imaged elements throughout the intestinal tract of C. elegans with a punctate pattern. This defined distribution of 55Mn has previously only been visualized using synchrotron-XFM technology and was first achieved in this work with LA-ICP-MS imaging. (<a href="javascript:;">52</a>)56Fe showed some increased background noise due to the presence of the isobaric interference ArO+; however, we used kinetic energy discrimination within the collision cell and improved 56Fe signals. 56Fe and 55Mn showed higher relative abundances in the anterior intestine in likely the grinder, with significant localization to the intestinal cells throughout the worm body. Meanwhile, 56Fe did not exhibit a punctate distribution like 55Mn throughout intestinal cells. While an essential element, 63Cu was found in low abundance throughout C. elegans, potentially due to the organism’s reduced use of the element in biological processes. (<a href="javascript:;">58</a>) Improved imaging of 63Cu can be achieved by using LA-ICP-QQQ-MS imaging if copper biology is of interest. While 55Mn and 56Fe showed enrichment in C. elegans’ anterior intestine, 66Zn showed little or no enrichment in the anterior region of C. elegans and instead showed increased abundance in the posterior region of imaged worms. Synchrotron-XFM imaging has revealed similar zinc distributions with posterior intestinal cells on day 5 C. elegans possessing high zinc content; (<a href="javascript:;">52</a>) however, our 2-μm spatial resolution is not sufficient to resolve the zinc-rich gonad arms from the intestine. Additionally, the orientation of C. elegans during imaging may confound resolving the gonad arms from the intestine. We also noticed that images from petrolatum-coated worms showed a noisier background compared to others (<a href="javascript:;">Figures 2</a>B and <a href="javascript:;">4</a>A). One likely reason is that the laser was directly ablating the bare glass slides without embedding media on top of it and therefore introduced more interfering signals from glass slides contaminants such as 56Fe from iron oxide (Fe2O3) and 66Zn from zinc oxide (ZnO). Additionally, metal contamination could be introduced during the transfer step in creating petrolatum-coated worms and increased background noises. Metal impurities may be found in adhesives such as glue, (<a href="javascript:;">59, 60</a>) which was used to construct the eyelash tool for transferring worms. Repeated cleaning of the eyelash pick between transfers using 70% ethanol solutions may result in a slow dissolution of the glue, which may have subsequently resulted in leaching of metal impurities onto the glass slide when dragged across the surface during transfer. Further investigations should be made to examine possible sources of metal contamination during sample preparation.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Anal_Chem_2026_98_38_28440_28453_Figure_4_Brightfield_microscopy_and_elemental_imaging_of_day_1_gravid_adult_wildtype_N2_C_elegans_9bdf0f4129.jpg" alt="Anal. Chem. (2026) 98 (38): 28440–28453: Figure 4. Brightfield microscopy and elemental imaging of day 1 gravid adult wildtype N2 C. elegans prepared by petrolatum-based methods. (A) Brightfield microscopy and LA-ICP-TOF-MS imaging of a petrolatum-coated C. elegans. (B) Brightfield microscopy and LA-ICP-TOF-MS imaging of a petrolatum-embedded C. elegans. LA-ICP-TOF-MS imaging was able to perform simultaneous mapping of 31P and essential trace elements including 55Mn, 56Fe, 63Cu, and 66Zn. Lower limits for all elements were set to 0 ppm, and upper limits were set to 99th percentile for all elements except 55Mn which was set to 99.9th percentile. Brightfield black contrast and white contrast were set to 0 and 9000, respectively. White scale bars represent 100 μm." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Anal_Chem_2026_98_38_28440_28453_Figure_4_Brightfield_microscopy_and_elemental_imaging_of_day_1_gravid_adult_wildtype_N2_C_elegans_9bdf0f4129.jpg 221w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1128">When comparing petrolatum-coated elemental images (<a href="javascript:;">Figure 4</a>A) to petrolatum-embedded elemental images (<a href="javascript:;">Figure 4</a>B), several notable differences were observed. The background signal was drastically reduced in all ion images of petrolatum-embedded C. elegans. Elemental contaminants are present in glass slides, and with petrolatum serving as a barrier between the laser and the microscope slide, these contaminant signals are not observed through the direct ablation of glass. Additionally, minor differences in elemental localization were observed between petrolatum-embedded and -coated C. elegans. Across petrolatum-embedded replicates, elements that were found to be primarily intestinally localized in petrolatum-coated images showed somewhat broadened localization such as 31P and 56Fe. We also observed differences in concentration scaling for 31P, 55Mn, 56Fe, 63Cu, and 66Zn across imaged replicates. Such variation could be attributed to embedding media matrix effects altering plume properties and impacting spatial clarity in imaging or could be due to biological variations. Future studies should focus on characterizing the impact of worm orientation, embedding media thickness, and developmental variations on the slight differences in metal distribution.</div><h4>Conclusion</h4>LA-ICP-MS imaging is an important imaging modality for metal biology research in model animals. Previous studies have performed LA-ICP-MS imaging on C. elegans, but the sample preparation and technological limitations made it challenging to achieve high-resolution, multi-element, and quantitative imaging. (<a href="javascript:;">31−33</a>) We developed an integrated workflow that includes sample preparation, instrumental analysis and data processing to enable high-resolution LA-ICP-TOF-MS imaging with quantification on C. elegans, providing a powerful tool for future metal biology research in this classical biology model. We first developed a 3D-printed tool to create a uniform and a thin layer of viscous embedding media on glass slide for on-slide embedding of C. elegans. Three different sample preparations, OCT-embedded, petrolatum-embedded and petrolatum-coated, were evaluated using microscopy and subsequent LA-ICP-MS imaging. We demonstrated that petrolatum preserved reporter fluorescence, tissue morphology, and elemental distribution for a longer period when compared to conventional embedding media such as OCT. Through oversampling laser shots, we were able to achieve an effective 2-μm spatial resolution in LA-ICP-MS imaging, allowing for resolving cellular elemental compartmentalization that has been previously only observed in XFM studies. (<a href="javascript:;">52, 72</a>) We further established a data analysis pipeline toward quantitative LA-ICP-TOF-MS imaging. With gelatin standards, we demonstrated quantitative imaging of five endogenous elements simultaneously in one sample, allowing colocalization of worm fluorescence reporters, brightfield images and different elements.</div></div></div></div></div></div>

On-Slide Preparation of Caenorhabditis elegans toward Quantitative, High-Resolution LA-ICP-TOF Mass Spectrometry Imaging

Commercial and public spectral libraries provide broad coverage for LC-MS/MS identification, but they cannot contain every compound that matters to a specific laboratory. Proprietary products, metabolites, intermediates, impurities, degradation products, biomarkers, and internally characterized compounds may be highly relevant even if they are absent from standard reference collections. NIST26 allows laboratories to build their own MS/MS user libraries and integrate them directly into routine search workflows, creating a focused resource tailored to their analytical needs.<h4>Why Create a User MS/MS Library?</h4>User libraries are usually much smaller than commercial or public spectral databases, but their value is not determined by size alone.A laboratory-specific library may contain exactly the compounds most important for a particular application. These can include:<ul><li>proprietary products,</li><li>known metabolites,</li><li>synthesis intermediates,</li><li>impurities,</li><li>degradation products,</li><li>biomarkers,</li><li>compounds associated with specific industrial or environmental samples.</li></ul>Such libraries can therefore provide highly relevant identifications in pharmaceutical development, industrial R&amp;D, medical laboratories, environmental analysis, and other specialized fields. A relatively small collection of carefully characterized compounds may be more useful for a particular laboratory than a much larger general-purpose database.&nbsp;<h4>What Information Can Be Stored with Each Spectrum?</h4>Creating a useful library entry involves more than importing an MS/MS spectrum.A complete record can combine several types of information, including the experimental spectrum, chemical structure, instrumental parameters, ionization information, sample history, and additional user-defined metadata.Spectra can be transferred from vendor software into NIST Library Search, or they can be sent from the Chromatogram tab directly to the Library Search environment in NIST26. Chemical structures can be imported through the Windows clipboard from a molecular drawing program, while standard experimental parameters and sample-history information can be prepared separately and added to the entry.&nbsp;The ability to keep analytical metadata together with the spectrum is particularly important for internally generated libraries because it preserves the context in which the reference spectrum was acquired.<h4>Using Tags to Organize LC-MS/MS Metadata</h4>NIST26 supports a range of structured tags for LC-MS/MS spectra.These can describe parameters such as:<ul><li>spectrum type,</li><li>compound type,</li><li>ion name,</li><li>precursor type,</li><li>precursor m/z,</li><li>collision energy,</li><li>instrument type,</li><li>sample identifier,</li><li>ionization mode,</li><li>ion polarity,</li><li>collision gas,</li><li>pressure,</li><li>mass range,</li><li>maximum intensity,</li><li>cone voltage,</li><li>charge,</li><li>molecular weight,</li><li>known impurities,</li><li>related CAS numbers,</li><li>peptide sequence and peptide modifications.</li></ul>This provides a convenient way to attach searchable and standardized experimental information to spectra rather than leaving all metadata in an unstructured comment field.&nbsp;Tags can be entered individually through the Additional Info section in the Librarian interface, but when many spectra are being added, a grouped approach can be considerably faster.&nbsp;<h4>Adding Groups of Tags Efficiently</h4>For repetitive workflows, metadata can be prepared in advance and pasted into NIST26 as a group.The presentation recommends maintaining frequently used tag sets in a simple text document, then copying them into the synonym field and using Add to List to convert them into structured information.This is especially useful when the vendor software already transfers some parameters automatically. Users can then add only the missing information, such as ion adduct or polarity, rather than duplicating metadata already imported with the spectrum.&nbsp;Care is required because entering information that is already present may create duplicate metadata.This workflow can substantially accelerate library creation when many spectra share the same instrument configuration or acquisition parameters.<h4>Preserving Sample History</h4>A spectral match is more useful when the origin of the reference spectrum is known.NIST26 therefore allows detailed sample information to be stored in the comment field. For batches of related samples, the text can be prepared in Notepad or another editor and pasted into multiple records.Examples of useful information include sampling location, sampling date and time, analyst name, organization, internal sample identifier, project information, or other relevant context.&nbsp;For environmental, clinical, pharmaceutical, and industrial laboratories, this information can become an important part of data traceability.<h4>Adding Molecular Structures</h4>A user library becomes considerably more useful when spectra are linked to molecular structures.Structures can be created from scratch in a chemical drawing program. Alternatively, a similar structure can be located in NIST Search and sent to the default structure editor, where it can be modified as needed.Once completed, the structure can be copied to the Windows clipboard and inserted into the NIST Librarian spectrum-information window. NIST26 can then calculate the molecular formula and molecular weight from the imported structure.&nbsp;This linkage between spectrum and structure supports more informative library displays and structure-based searching.<h4>Creating Custom User-Defined Tags</h4>In addition to the standard LC-MS/MS tags, laboratories can define their own metadata fields.Examples shown include identifiers such as:<ul><li>chemist,</li><li>laboratory notebook number,</li><li>analyst.</li></ul>The information can be prepared in a text editor and added using the appropriate tag syntax. Once configured in the Comment Field Display settings, these values are displayed as separate structured lines rather than remaining embedded in the general comments.&nbsp;This flexibility makes the library more suitable for laboratories with established internal documentation systems or quality-management requirements.NIST can also automatically add information such as the InChIKey and an estimated retention index when appropriate structural information is available.&nbsp;<h4>High-Resolution and Low-Resolution Libraries Should Be Kept Separate</h4>User libraries do not have to contain only high-resolution spectra.Low-resolution MS/MS spectra may also be valuable, including spectra generated by:<ul><li>in-source collision on single-quadrupole instruments,</li><li>triple-quadrupole MS/MS,</li><li>other nominal-mass workflows.</li></ul>The recommendation is to maintain separate high-resolution and low-resolution user libraries, because the appropriate search strategies and handling can differ.&nbsp;Low-resolution spectra can still generate strong library-search results and may be particularly useful when laboratories want to preserve historical data or incorporate spectra from multiple instrument types.<h4>Important Software Considerations When Importing Spectra</h4>The presentation also highlights several practical software issues that users should be aware of.One concerns the Intensity Threshold setting in the Spectrum Import Options window. When an intensity threshold is applied during import from vendor software, high-resolution spectral values may be converted to nominal mass rather than preserving the expected decimal precision.For laboratories building high-resolution user libraries, this is an important detail because accurate-mass information is one of the main advantages of HRMS data.Another issue affects some library-search modes after high-resolution spectra are added to a user library.<h4>HiRes No Precursor and Hybrid Search Limitations</h4>After adding high-resolution spectra, certain HiRes NoPrecursor and Similarity Hybrid MS/MS searches may not function correctly.A workaround involves exporting the affected library using Lib2NIST into MSP ASCII files together with the associated molecular structure files, then importing the data back into NIST library format.&nbsp;The presentation specifically warns against attempting the problematic MS/MS Hybrid Search under these conditions because it may cause the software to crash.An EI Normal search can mimic some of the functionality of HiRes No Precursor and may work effectively when high- and low-resolution libraries are searched together. HiRes NoPrecursor can also operate with presearch disabled, although this can make searching considerably slower.&nbsp;<h4>Display Issues in the Chromatogram Window</h4>Another software behavior concerns how spectral values are displayed in the Chromatogram tab.Values from Spectrum Import Options are reflected in the head-to-head spectral display. If settings are adjusted for low-resolution spectra, the displayed masses may appear truncated.Importantly, this visual behavior does not affect the results in the accurate-mass deconvolution and library-searching table; it affects only the spectral display at the top of the Chromatogram window.&nbsp;Distinguishing display behavior from actual processing results is important to avoid misinterpreting valid search results as corrupted data.<h4>Updating the Library After Adding New Entries</h4>User-library maintenance does not end when a spectrum has been added.Whenever a new entry containing a molecular structure is introduced, the structure index should be updated so that the new compound can be included properly in structure searching.The InChIKey appears to update with the structure, but if duplicate records are not being handled correctly, the InChIKey index may also need to be rebuilt.&nbsp;If a new library folder is added to the NIST26 MSSEARCH directory while the software is already running, users should also update the library list so that the newly added collection becomes available without restarting the entire environment.&nbsp;<h4>Using Lib2NIST to Repair High-Resolution User Libraries</h4>The Lib2NIST utility plays an important role in resolving some high-resolution library-search issues.The workflow involves exporting the problematic high-resolution library to an MSP file together with its molecular structure files and then re-importing the data into NIST library format.The corrected library can then be placed back into the NIST26 MSSEARCH directory. It is advisable to preserve the original library under a different name until the repaired version has been tested successfully.&nbsp;The presentation also recommends closing NIST Search while performing Lib2NIST conversions.<h4>Small Libraries Can Deliver High Analytical Value</h4>The central message is straightforward: a user library does not need to contain hundreds of thousands of compounds to be useful.A carefully curated collection of spectra from compounds that repeatedly appear in a laboratory's own samples can dramatically improve identification relevance. This is especially valuable for compounds that are proprietary, newly synthesized, application-specific, or otherwise poorly represented in public and commercial databases.By combining MS/MS spectra with structures, acquisition metadata, sample history, tags, and internally defined information, NIST26 can become more than a search engine for commercial databases. It can serve as a laboratory-specific knowledge base built around compounds that genuinely matter to the user's work.For specialized LC-MS/MS workflows, that may be one of the most valuable ways to extend the capabilities of spectral library searching.

Creating MS/MS User Libraries in NIST26

Wiley announces the expansion of its spectral libraries across IR and Raman, adding empirical and computed reference data spanning forensics, pigments and dyes, mineralogy, materials, polymers, and pharmaceuticals. This release adds over a thousand new empirical reference spectra, plus more than 429,000 new SmartSpectra records, across dozens of updated and new databases. This brings the combined collections to over 1.4 million IR spectra and 230,000 Raman spectra.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Wiley_Wiley_continues_to_expand_its_IR_Raman_and_Smart_Spectra_spectral_libraries_806b34cdc1.jpg" alt="Wiley: Wiley continues to expand its IR, Raman, and SmartSpectra spectral libraries" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Wiley_Wiley_continues_to_expand_its_IR_Raman_and_Smart_Spectra_spectral_libraries_806b34cdc1.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="838">“Scientific discoveries and business decisions depend on trustworthy analytical results,” said Graeme Whitley, senior director, data science solutions at Wiley. “The value of a spectral library expansion is not simply that it adds more records. It gives analysts more relevant reference candidates when they encounter unfamiliar materials, whether they are verifying a polymer, investigating a pharmaceutical sample, examining a mineral, or screening a forensic specimen.”<h4>Highlights include:</h4><ul><li>Forensics: A new Raman forensics database adds reference spectra for colorant and dye identification on textiles, drawn from real fiber-evidence research, useful for investigators working on dye and textile analysis.</li><li>Pigments and dyes: New Raman and IR data significantly broadens pigment and dye coverage, including historic artists' pigments, supporting art conservation and cultural-heritage authentication work.</li><li>Minerals: New Raman and IR data extends coverage to minerals from different localities and Martian mineral analogs. This release includes new Raman additions from our ongoing collaboration with the American Museum of Natural History, now cross-referenced with DANA Classification Numbers and Mindat IDs, giving mineralogists and gemologists an easier way to identify entries against established references.</li><li>Materials and semiconductors: New Raman and IR data covers crystal growth relevant to battery materials, rare-earth-doped magnetic crystals, and flexible and 2D semiconductor materials, useful for researchers in battery, magnetic materials, and electronics work.</li><li>Polymers: New Raman and IR data spans 3D-printed, MOF-integrated microlattices, environmental plastic aging and recycled PET materials, and food packaging plastics. New Raman reference spectra also cover more than two dozen synthetic polymer types for identifying microplastics in environmental samples.</li><li>Clinical and pharma: New Raman and IR data covers antibiotic classes, including beta-lactams, and the WHO's essential antibiotic list, plus bone mineralization studies in clinical models. A new IR dataset also adds spectra for common over-the-counter medications, including aspirin, ibuprofen, and paracetamol, helping quality control teams confirm formulations faster.</li><li>SmartSpectra: Our SmartSpectra IR, Raman, and vapor-phase IR collections continue to grow, adding 243,000+ IR, 67,000+ Raman, and 119,000+ vapor-phase IR computed reference spectra to support broad, high-throughput identification.</li></ul><blockquote><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://sciencesolutions.wiley.com/spectral-databases/">Learn more about Wiley Spectral Databases</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://sciencesolutions.wiley.com/how-to-update-knowitall-databases/">Existing subscribers can find guidance on updating their databases here</a></blockquote><h4>Wiley Spectral Databases</h4>Wiley's spectral databases are consistently evolving to meet today's research demands, covering multiple spectral techniques across a wide range of applications including polymers, materials, environmental, forensics, toxicology, pharmaceutical, biotech, automotive, aerospace, food, cosmetics, and more. Built on rigorous quality protocols, Wiley delivers industry-leading spectral data and intelligent tools to accelerate analysis and deliver deeper insights — making it the authoritative, trusted source that analytical labs worldwide rely on.&nbsp;

Wiley continues to expand its IR, Raman, and SmartSpectra spectral libraries

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In this presentation, detailed operation of ICP-MS will be discussed, particularly the role of elemental analysis by ICP-MS in the Extractable and Leachable analysis. ICP-MS, with its high sensitivity, wide dynamic range, and ultra-trace multi-elemental detection, is the ideal analytical technique for trace elemental quantification in ICH/USP applications.<blockquote>Presenter: Yan Cheung, PhD (Application Scientist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)Yan received her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Indiana University Bloomington. She joined Agilent Technologies as an Application Scientist in the Life Science and Chemical Analysis team in April 2020. Yan has extensive experience in operating and method development in ICP-MS. Yan also has years of experience working in the oil and gas industry.</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Trace Metal Determination by ICP-MS in Extractable and Leachable Analysis

Trace Metal Determination by ICP-MS in Extractable and Leachable Analysis

Explore ICP-MS for extractable and leachable (E&L) analysis. Learn ultra-trace elemental quantification for ICH and USP regulatory compliance

ICP-MS for Extractables & Leachables Analysis

PFAS testing laboratories are being asked to do more than ever before. As regulatory requirements evolve and target analyte lists expand, analysts across environmental, food, and materials testing laboratories must deliver reliable trace-level PFAS measurements in increasingly complex applications. In this seven-part mini webinar series, we explore a range of solutions for trace-level PFAS determination, including Feed Injection and large-volume injection techniques, automated sample preparation, direct injection workflows, SPE strategies, thermal desorption, and complementary LC/MS/MS and GC/MS approaches. Each webinar addresses a different aspect of PFAS analysis, providing practical insights into workflow design, method performance, and laboratory productivity.<h4>Session 3: Validated Method for PFAS Testing in Food, Including Meats</h4>Food laboratories face the challenge of detecting PFAS at low concentrations in complex food matrices and demanding analytical requirements. Join this webinar to discover a simplified workflow for analyzing 30 PFAS in food using QuEChERS extraction, Captiva EMR PFAS Food II clean up, and LC/TQ detection.In this mini webinar, discover how to:<ul><li>Analyse 30 PFAS across diverse food matrices</li><li>Simplify extraction and matrix cleanup</li><li>Use Captiva EMR PFAS Food II for effective sample preparation</li><li>Streamline analysis through direct injection</li><li>Achieve the sensitivity, accuracy and precision required for food testing</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Peter Kornas (Application specialist LC/MS, Agilent Technologies)Peter has more than 15 years of experience in the development and validation of analytical methods for the determination of pesticides, mycotoxins and contaminants using LC/MS/MS. Before joining Agilent as an LC/MS application specialist in 2018, he worked as an analytical chemist in the food industry. During this time, he was responsible for the development and validation of analytical methods and worked in close coordination with Regulatory Affairs to ensure compliance with the legal requirements of the LC/MS method portfolio.Presenter: Nassima Galloway (Business Development Manager Food &amp; Environmental, Agilent Technologies)Nassima Galloway BSc obtained her degree at Manchester University in Medical Biochemistry BSc. Her professional career began working with environmental laboratories within EMEA offering support on sample preparation solutions and helping laboratories to optimise their workflows throughout.She now holds the position of Business Development Manager for EMEAI within the chemistries supplies division of Agilent Technologies.Nassima works closely within the food &amp; environmental markets to promote the latest advancements in sample preparation techniques and workflow solutions for LC/MS and GC/MS.</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: PFAS Mini webinar Series

Validated Method for PFAS Testing in Food, Including Meats

Validated workflow for 30 PFAS in food using QuEChERS, Captiva EMR PFAS Food II cleanup, direct injection, and LC/TQ detection.

Validated Method for PFAS Testing in Food

<h4>Empower™ Tips for Audit Trail Compliance</h4>If you are in a regulated laboratory, you may be expected to actively review, interpret, and act on Waters Empower Software audit trail data in order to ensure compliance and data integrity, demonstrate a state of control, and for inspection readiness as part of your overall quality.<h5>In this session you will hear more about:</h5><ul><li>Risk review framework</li><li>Risk event types</li><li>Other items to consider for periodic review</li><li>Streamlining vigilant monitoring</li></ul>Whether you're struggling with defining a risk-based review strategy, interpreting regulatory expectations, or efficiently reviewing audit trails in Empower Chromatography Data System, in this webinar you will walk away with practical methods for structuring efficient, risk-based reviews that surface meaningful events to support patient safety, product quality, and decision-making.<h5>What you’ll gain from this session:</h5><ul><li>Gain insight into what is expected of regulated labs</li><li>Get a practical framework for risk review</li><li>Learn how to simplify audit trail reviews</li></ul>Please join us for a lively discussion as we explore this topic. As always, please bring your questions for this exclusive opportunity to ask our experts anything about Empower Software.<h5>Who should attend</h5>This session is designed for Lab Managers, Empower System Administrators, Quality, Quality IT, and Lab Personnel.Don't miss it!<blockquote>Speaker:&nbsp;Neil Lander (Senior Principal Product Manager, Waters Corporation)Neil has worked for Waters Corporation since 1994 and has held a variety of positions including Technical Support Specialist, Technical Trainer, Manager Customer Education and currently, Senior Principal Product Manager focusing on Informatics solutions.He provides internal support for Empower Chromatography Data System and is focused on developing laboratory software solutions that help organizations achieve their scientific and operational objectives.</blockquote><blockquote>Speaker:&nbsp;Tracy Hibbs (Principal Consulting Marketing Manager, Waters Corporation)Tracy has worked for Waters Corporation since 1999 and has held a variety of positions including Technical Trainer, Business Impact Consultant, Training Manager for Informatics and Data Integrity, and currently, Principal Consulting Product Marketing Manager focusing on Informatics solutions and compliance.Tracy provides support for Waters Empower Software Suite and is concentrated on developing laboratory data management software solutions that help organizations achieve their scientific and operational objectives in regulated environments.Prior to joining Waters, Tracy was a Research Scientist where she gained experience in chromatography and the associated data systems.​</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: Waters Empower Tips - Ask Me Anything About Periodic Audit Trail Review

Waters Empower Tips: Ask Me Anything About Periodic Audit Trail Review

Learn how to streamline periodic Audit Trail reviews in Waters Empower CDS. Implement risk-based frameworks to ensure data integrity and compliance

Periodic Audit Trail Review in Waters Empower CDS

<div><div id="inner_content_body_text" data-content-id="394785">Many laboratories still associate rotational viscometry with large beakers, large sample volumes, and medium-to-high-viscosity materials. But modern cone-plate viscometry changes this picture.In this webinar, we show how low-volume and low-viscosity measurements can be performed with an affordable and easy to use rotational viscometer setup. Using ViscoQC together with the PTD 100 Cone-Plate accessory, laboratories can measure samples from 0.5 mL to 2 mL, control temperature with an integrated Peltier system from 0°C to 100 °C and perform absolute viscosity measurements without the complexity of a research rheometer.The webinar is especially relevant for pharmaceutical, biotech and specialty chemical laboratories working with scarce, expensive, temperature-sensitive or low-viscosity samples. It also benefits users seeking to reduce cleaning effort and shorten measurement turnaround times through low-volume testing, which enables rapid sample temperature equilibration.<h5>Key takeaways:&nbsp;</h5><ul><li>Challenge the beaker mindset: Understand the limitations of conventional beaker-and-spindle viscometry.</li><li>Discover the benefits of cone-plate viscometry: Learn when and why to switch to a cone-plate setup.</li><li>Apply measurement best practices: Master sample handling, spindle and speed selection, and appropriate measurement methods.</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Viktor ChristopoulosViktor Christopoulos obtained his PhD in Chemistry from the Technical University of Graz, with a focus on inorganic chemistry. He joined Anton Paar in June 2021 and currently works as a global product manager for viscometers.</blockquote></div></div>

Anton Paar: Viscometers Don't Need 600 mL Beakers - Measure Down to 1 cP with 0.5 mL

Viscometers Don't Need 600 mL Beakers - Measure Down to 1 cP with 0.5 mL

Learn how Anton Paar ViscoQC with PTD 100 enables cone-plate viscometry down to 1 cP using 0.5 mL samples and Peltier temperature control

Low Volume Cone Plate Viscometry with ViscoQC

The increasing focus on ultrashort PFAS, particularly Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) and Difluoroacetic Acid (DFA), is creating new analytical challenges for laboratories worldwide. Reliable quantification at trace levels requires a holistic approach that combines regulatory awareness, robust sample preparation, contamination management, optimized chromatography, and sensitive detection.In this webinar, Phenomenex experts will discuss key regulatory drivers, SPE sorbent selection, official PFAS methods, contamination control strategies and the role of delay columns in achieving reliable PFAS measurements.SCIEX experts will present a complete workflow for TFA and DFA analysis demonstrating how advanced LC-MS/MS technology and workflow automation help laboratories achieve ultra-sensitive detection, high throughput, and confidence in TFA and DFA analysis across multiple matrices.&nbsp;<h5>Key Learning Points</h5><ul><li>Understand the regulatory landscape and analytical challenges driving PFAS monitoring, with a focus on food, environmental, and emerging ultrashort-chain PFAS applications.</li><li>Implement robust PFAS workflows through optimized SPE sample preparation, appropriate column selection, and contamination management strategies, including the use of delay columns to improve analytical performance.</li><li>Improve data confidence and laboratory productivity by applying best practices for PFAS identification, quantification, and workflow standardization.</li><li>Address the growing challenge of TFA and DFA analysis using highly sensitive, automated LC-MS/MS workflows that deliver reliable results across multiple matrices with minimal hands-on time.</li></ul><h5>Who should attend:</h5><ul><li>Environmental &amp; Drinking Water Laboratories</li><li>Food Testing &amp; Food Safety Laboratories</li><li>PFAS Analysts &amp; Method Development Scientists</li><li>SPE &amp; Sample Preparation Specialists</li><li>LC-MS/MS Users</li><li>Laboratory Managers &amp; Technical Leaders</li><li>Regulatory &amp; Compliance Professionals</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Luigi Margarucci, PhD (EMEA Seminar and Application Lead, Phenomenex)Luigi holds a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences and began his career at Phenomenex in 2015 as a Technical Sales Consultant. In 2017, he took on the role of Mass Spectrometry Specialist, followed by Chromatography Training Manager in 2020. Since 2021, he has served as Technical Manager for Italy.He gained extensive experience in chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry while working as a researcher and research fellow at the University of Salerno, collaborating with leading chromatography and mass spectrometry centers in Italy and across Europe, including Utrecht University (The Netherlands).To date, Luigi has authored 27 scientific publications and has written and delivered numerous seminars on analytical techniques such as HPLC, GC, and SPE.&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote>Presenter: Jianru Stahl-Zeng (Senior Market Development Manager Food, Environmental and Forensics, SCIEX)Jianru has been part of SCIEX since 2001. She initially was part of the application Support team and covered not only proteomics but also small molecules applications. Jianru then moved to technical marketing and focused on Food and Environmental applications.Since 2018, she is managing the EMEAI technical marketing team and projects. Jianru is also the Global Technical Leader for Food and Environmental applications.&nbsp;</blockquote>

Phenomenex: Confidence in PFAS Data: Smarter Sample Prep, Contamination Control, Highly Sensitive and Robust MS

Confidence in PFAS Data: Smarter Sample Prep, Contamination Control, Highly Sensitive and Robust MS

Learn how Phenomenex and SCIEX enable robust PFAS analysis. Master SPE sample prep, contamination control, and LC-MS/MS testing for TFA and DFA

Ultrashort PFAS and TFA Analysis by LC MS MS

PFAS are ubiquitous and detectable at increasingly low concentrations, making sample preparation a critical source of potential contamination. Labware, filtration consumables, and water used for dilutions and blanks can introduce background PFAS, compromising data integrity.Join our experts in this SelectScience® webinar as they explore practical strategies to reduce PFAS contamination in sample preparation for both LC-MS and Total Organic Fluorine (TOF) analysis using combustion ion chromatography (CIC). You will learn how to identify contamination pathways, implement best practices, and select consumables validated for low PFAS background.Sartorius solutions — including Arium® ultrapure lab water systems, Minisart® syringe filters, and Optifit® pipette tips — will be highlighted along with independent testing from Claros Technologies and Novem Scientific demonstrating their performance in LC-MS and TOF workflows.<h5>Certificate of attendance</h5>If you attend the live webinar, you will automatically receive a certificate of attendance, including a learning outcomes summary, for continuing education purposes.If you view the on-demand webinar, you can request a certificate of attendance by emailing editor@selectscience.net.<h5>Webinar details</h5><ul><li>Cost: Free to attend</li><li>Location: Online</li><li>Duration: 60 minutes</li></ul>Registration is required to secure your place. If you register but can’t attend live, you will receive a link to the on‑demand recording once it becomes available.<h4>Who should attend?</h4>This event is perfect for:<div><ul><li>Analytical chemists</li><li>Analytical lab heads/managers</li><li>Lab managers</li><li>QA and QC managers</li><li>Environmental scientists</li><li>Research scientists</li><li>Environmental lab professionals</li><li>LC-MS/MS-based clinical research professionals</li></ul><h4>What will this webinar cover?</h4><ul><li>Key PFAS contamination pathways and mitigation strategies</li><li>LC-MS vs. CIC/TOF sample preparation considerations</li><li>Independent test results on Sartorius consumables</li><li>How to select and validate consumables</li><li>Practical PFAS quality control strategies</li></ul></div><blockquote>Speaker: Andrew Christianson (President and CEO, Novem Scientific)Andrew Christianson is the President and CEO of Novem Scientific, LLC. He graduated in 2004 from the University of Minnesota, Morris with a BA in Chemistry, emphasis in Biochemistry. He has been serving the scientific industry and solving analytical problems for over 15 years in service and sales of analytical equipment and applications. In addition to being involved in the local Minnesota Chromatography Forum, he is also a voting member on the ASTM D19 water committee.Novem Scientific was founded in August 2021 and specializes in Total Organic Fluorine (TOF) analysis. TOF gives a non-targeted view of the total PFAS contribution in a sample as a compound class, without distinguishing individual analytes. The TOF test has been reimagined with modern instrumentation and Novem is on the cutting edge of research and development in new methods and matrices for this new and demanding analysis space.</blockquote><blockquote>Speaker: Sandra Söderholm, Ph.D. (Application Development Scientist, Sartorius)Sandra Söderholm earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Helsinki in 2016. Before joining Sartorius as an Application Development Scientist in 2019, she worked as a post doc in the field of infection biology at the University of Basel in Switzerland. At Sartorius, she focuses on the development, optimization, and validation of liquid-handling applications, and works with new product innovation, where understanding the customers’ workflows and needs plays a central role.</blockquote><blockquote>Speaker: Dr. Zijie 'Beryl' Xia (Director of Analytical Laboratories, Claros Technologies)Dr. Zijie 'Beryl' Xia is Director of Analytical Laboratories at Claros Technologies Inc., a PFAS destruction company. Since joining Claros in 2020, she has established its ISO-accredited PFAS analytical laboratory. Together with her team, she has developed standard PFAS methods and continues to advance non-standard methods and matrices for novel PFAS analysis.</blockquote><blockquote>Speaker: Klaus Schöne (Scientist, Sartorius)Klaus Schöne is a scientist who has been working at Sartorius, a supplier to the life science industry, since 2005. His work focuses on customer applications and translating application needs into new product solutions, including separation products for laboratory use such as PFAS sample preparation. Further areas of his expertise include the clarification and purification of biomolecules using ultrafiltration and chromatography.</blockquote><blockquote>Speaker: Dr. Kunal Kureja (Product Manager, Sartorius)Dr. Kunal Kureja is a Product Manager at Sartorius AG, specializing in laboratory water technologies and analytical applications. He earned his Ph.D. in Analytical and Preparative Chemistry from the University of Kassel and has worked across academic, startup, and industrial settings. His expertise includes application development, technical communication, and cross‑functional project leadership, with a particular focus on PFAS‑related analytical challenges and contamination risks in laboratory workflows.</blockquote><blockquote>Moderator: Todd Beanlands (Science Editor, SelectScience)</blockquote>

SelectScience: Minimizing PFAS background contamination in sample preparation

Minimizing PFAS background contamination in sample preparation

Learn how to reduce PFAS background contamination during sample prep. Discover Sartorius solutions for clean LC-MS and combustion IC workflows

Minimizing PFAS Contamination in Sample Prep

Sample preparation is one of the most time consuming steps in food and environmental testing. In this session, you’ll learn practical ways to simplify workflows, strengthen method robustness, and prepare your lab for emerging analytical challenges.Our experts will show how to optimize SPE methods, address complex contaminants such as PFAS, and apply simple automation options that increase consistency while reducing hands on time.The webinar will conclude with a Q&amp;A session. Participants will be able to submit their questions through the chat, and our experts will address them at the end.<h4>Key Learning Objectives:&nbsp;</h4><ul><li>Reduce hands on time with streamlined sample prep workflows</li><li>Improve method robustness for routine and advanced analyses</li><li>Accelerate throughput with optimized SPE strategies</li><li>Address complex contaminants, including PFAS, with fit for purpose workflows</li><li>Boost lab consistency using simple automation options</li></ul>Can't attend live? No problem - Register to receive the link to view the on demand recording after the event.You can select the language of the content in the top right corner of your screen.This webinar will be delivered in English.<blockquote>Speaker:&nbsp;Xavier Rodriguez (Principal Applications Specialist, Chemistry, Europe, Waters Corporation)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.</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: From sample to result: advanced sample prep strategies for food and environmental matrices

From sample to result: advanced sample prep strategies for food and environmental matrices

Learn advanced sample prep strategies for food and environmental testing. Optimize SPE, automate workflows, and tackle PFAS contaminants efficiently

Advanced Sample Prep Strategies for SPE and PFAS

<div><div container-id="cq-colctrl-lt0" comp-id="A1"><div>High-resolution accurate mass (HRAM) mass spectrometry has transformed quantitative bioanalysis, opening new possibilities for challenging analytes that have historically pushed the limits of conventional approaches. Join Troy Voelker for a practical look at the evolution of HRAM mass spectrometry for quantitative bioanalysis and how advances in Orbitrap™ technology are helping address increasingly complex analytical challenges.Drawing on more than a decade of experience applying high-resolution mass spectrometry to quantitative workflows, Troy will trace the progression from early studies evaluating whether HRAM could deliver the speed, precision, specificity, and dynamic range required for quantitative analysis to its growing role in modern bioanalysis.The session explores oligonucleotide bioanalysis, including multiple charge states, nonspecific fragmentation, matrix interference, and demanding sensitivity requirements. Troy will share findings from an industry oligonucleotide ring trial and discuss how established methods provided a benchmark for evaluating the next generation of Orbitrap technology, featuring the new Thermo Scientific™ Orbitrap™ Excedion™ Hybrid Mass Spectrometer.Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the live Q&amp;A following the presentation.<h5>Who should attend?</h5>Scientists and laboratory leaders developing quantitative bioanalytical methods using HRAM MS; researchers working with oligonucleotides and nucleic acid therapeutics; and bioanalytical scientists interested in sensitivity, specificity, and quantitative performance.<h5>What you can expect to learn</h5><ul><li>How HRAM MS has evolved for quantitative bioanalysis</li><li>Why charge-state behavior and fragment selection are critical for oligonucleotide LC-MS specificity</li><li>How hybridization sample preparation and HRAM detection can support sensitive workflows</li><li>How Orbitrap Excedion technology can extend sensitivity, speed, and dynamic range</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Min Du (Senior Manager, Pharma/BioPharma Applications, Thermo Fisher Scientific)Min Du is the Senior Manager of Pharma/Biopharma Applications for Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry at Thermo Fisher Scientific. With extensive expertise in analytical workflows, she leads teams developing cutting-edge LC-MS solutions. Her work focuses on bioanalysis challenges, RNA oligonucleotide characterization, and advancing therapeutic workflows.Presenter: Troy Voelker (Senior Director of Laboratory Operations, Aliri Bioanalysis)Troy Voelker is an accomplished bioanalytical scientist with more than a decade of experience advancing high-resolution mass spectrometry. His career spans pioneering quantitative HRMS applications to today’s cutting-edge oligonucleotide bioanalysis, with deep expertise in developing methods for complex therapeutics.Moderator: Breana Murphy (Regional Marketing Manager LSMS-North America, Thermo Fisher Scientific)</blockquote></div></div></div>

Thermo Fisher Scientific: The Groundbreakers Series: Pushing Boundaries 

Advancing Oligonucleotide Bioanalysis with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Join this webinar for a practical look at the evolution of HRAM mass spectrometry for quantitative bioanalysis.

Oligonucleotide Bioanalysis with HRMS

For pharmaceutical companies, elemental analysis is essential for ensuring product quality, process control, and regulatory compliance, but traditional techniques can often create bottlenecks through lengthy sample preparation, high operating costs, and complex workflows. This webinar explores how X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) is transforming pharmaceutical elemental analysis by providing a faster, safer, and more cost-effective alternative for both API and formulation development. XRF enables sample preparation and measurement in under 30 minutes, requires no acid digestion, and can be performed by laboratory technicians with minimal training, helping organizations accelerate decision-making and shorten time-to-market.Join us to discover how XRF supports elemental impurity screening, catalyst residue monitoring, wear metal detection, and ICH Q3D compliance while reducing dependence on hazardous chemicals, costly consumables, and specialized infrastructure. We will compare XRF with conventional ICP-based methods, discuss real-world pharmaceutical applications, and demonstrate how modern XRF solutions can improve laboratory productivity, sustainability, and operational efficiency. Whether you work in pharmaceutical development, manufacturing, quality control, or regulatory testing, this session will provide practical insights into implementing faster elemental analysis workflows without compromising analytical confidence.<h5>Who should attend?</h5><ul><li>Scientists and researchers interested in organic synthesis and understanding reaction mechanisms, byproducts, etc.&nbsp;</li><li>Anyone interested in or working on impurities detection using elemental analysis methods&nbsp;</li><li>Anyone working in Drug substance/product manufacturing and QA/QC</li></ul><h5>What will you learn?</h5><ul><li>Learn how XRF can simplify your elemental analysis&nbsp;</li><li>Discover how XRF can provide meaningful insights and simplify API synthesis process&nbsp;</li><li>Understand why XRF is a reliable technique to be used next to (or instead of) classic elemental analysis spectroscopic techniques</li></ul><blockquote>Speaker: Anoek Nijhuis-Nollen (Application Specialist XRF, Malvern Panalytical)Speaker: Dr. Natalia Dadivanyan (Market Development Manager Pharma Small Molecule, Malvern Panalytical)</blockquote>

Malvern Panalytical: XRF in Pharma: Faster Elemental Analysis for Accelerated Drug Development and Manufacturing

XRF in Pharma: Faster Elemental Analysis for Accelerated Drug Development and Manufacturing

Learn how XRF supports pharmaceutical elemental analysis, impurity screening, catalyst and wear metal monitoring, and ICH Q3D compliance with faster workflows.

XRF for Elemental Analysis of Accelerated Drugs

The compound that binds best isn't always the one that works. Compounds with similar affinity and kinetics often behave very differently downstream — because binding alone doesn't reveal how a molecule reshapes its target.Join us for this live webinar unveiling Molecular Friction Sensing on heliX⁺, a newly published approach for detecting ligand-induced conformational changes in proteins with sub-Ångström resolution under near-physiological conditions. Binding-induced modulation of protein structure is central to how many small-molecule drugs work, yet most screening platforms rely on affinity-based readouts that don't report conformational change. By resolving structural effects independently of affinity or kinetics, Molecular Friction Sensing adds an orthogonal decision-making dimension to hit-to-lead and lead optimization, helping you prioritize the most promising candidates earlier.Presenting the science behind the recently released preprint, this session shows how the assay works, what it reveals, and how it fits alongside your existing biophysical toolkit.<h5>What you'll learn</h5><ul><li>How Molecular Friction Sensing detects ligand-induced conformational changes at sub-Ångström sensitivity</li><li>Why a conformational readout adds information that affinity and kinetic data don't capture</li><li>How to tell apart binders with similar affinities by their effect on protein structure</li><li>Where the assay fits between routine binding assays and classical structural biology</li><li>Results from the preprint, including the characterization of 22 confirmed carbonic anhydrase binders</li></ul><blockquote>Speaker: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Rant (Dresden University of Technology, Kurt Schwabe Institute for Sensor Technologies, Bruker Dynamic Biosensors, Dresden, Germany)</blockquote>

Bruker: See how ligand-induced conformational changes can sharpen compound prioritization

See how ligand-induced conformational changes can sharpen compound prioritization

Learn how Molecular Friction Sensing on heliX⁺ reveals sub-Ångström ligand-induced conformational changes and adds a new dimension to hit-to-lead optimization.

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