Join us for a free two-day LECO Separation Science Workshop on September 23–24, 2026, at the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/companies/219">C³AL Laboratory</a> at Cal State LA. Registration is free, and meals and refreshments will be provided throughout the workshop.&nbsp;<h4>Registration</h4><blockquote>👉<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=iYeNbqIuykW7qZP4_jUEVbznDB40eK1PgjPzhHyb__9URTFTTFA5UEEzQ1A4MUtFV0o4TEJTNlZCOS4u&amp;route=shorturl">Register HERE</a>Space is limited, register today!<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/LECO_LECO_Separation_Science_Workshop_registration_332543a18e.jpg" alt="LECO: LECO Separation Science Workshop - QR code for registration" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_LECO_LECO_Separation_Science_Workshop_registration_332543a18e.jpg 156w," sizes="100vw" width="437" height="437"></blockquote><h4>Hand-on Experience with the LECO Complex Chemical Composition Analysis Lab C3AL</h4><ul><li>Work directly with LECO instruments in the C3AL Laboratory</li><li>Learn complete analytical workflows from sample to answer</li><li>Get expert guidance from LECO application scientists</li><li>Develop methods and solve real-world challenges</li><li>Collaborate, ask questions, and build your skills</li></ul><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Cal_State_LA_The_LECO_Pegasus_BTX_system_in_Cal_State_LA_s_LECO_Complex_Chemical_Compositional_Analysis_Lab_enhances_research_and_student_training_in_advanced_chemical_analysis_cover_b739e727ca.jpg" alt="Cal State LA: The LECO Pegasus BTX system in Cal State LA’s LECO Complex Chemical Compositional Analysis Lab enhances research and student training in advanced chemical analysis" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Cal_State_LA_The_LECO_Pegasus_BTX_system_in_Cal_State_LA_s_LECO_Complex_Chemical_Compositional_Analysis_Lab_enhances_research_and_student_training_in_advanced_chemical_analysis_cover_b739e727ca.jpg 227w," sizes="100vw" width="1252" height="863">The first day will focus on the fundamentals and theory of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC), with an emphasis on understanding how GC×GC can enhance your research, solve complex analytical challenges, and support your laboratory or company goals.&nbsp;The second day will be dedicated to hands-on activities, giving participants the opportunity to work directly with LECO instrumentation, learn practical analytical workflows, and analyze their own samples with guidance from LECO application scientists.&nbsp;Whether you are new to GC×GC or looking to expand its use in your research or organization, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn, explore, and apply the technology in a practical setting. Space is limited, so register early!<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Cal_State_LA_LECO_QUADJET_G_Cx_GC_coupled_to_Pegasus_BT_4_D_TOM_MS_in_the_Complex_Chemical_Composition_Analysis_Lab_C_AL_077a14ae34/Cal-State-LA-LECO-QUADJET-GCxGC-coupled-to-Pegasus-BT-4D-TOM-MS-in-the-Complex-Chemical-Composition-Analysis-Lab-(CAL).jpg" alt="Cal State LA: LECO QUADJET GCxGC coupled to Pegasus BT 4D TOM MS in the Complex Chemical Composition Analysis Lab (C³AL)" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Cal_State_LA_LECO_QUADJET_G_Cx_GC_coupled_to_Pegasus_BT_4_D_TOM_MS_in_the_Complex_Chemical_Composition_Analysis_Lab_C_AL_077a14ae34/thumbnail_Cal-State-LA-LECO-QUADJET-GCxGC-coupled-to-Pegasus-BT-4D-TOM-MS-in-the-Complex-Chemical-Composition-Analysis-Lab-(CAL).jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1949" height="1299">

LECO Separation Science Workshop

Taťána Gazárková is currently a&nbsp;postdoctoral fellow in the Laboratory of Antibiotic Resistance and Microbial Metabolomics. During her doctoral studies, she focused on chromatography and mass spectrometry. Recently, she was awarded second place in the “Sanofi Prize for Pharmacy 2026” competition.Taťána Gazárková is currently a&nbsp;postdoctoral fellow in the Laboratory of Antibiotic Resistance and Microbial Metabolomics. During her doctoral studies, she focused on chromatography and mass spectrometry. Recently, she was awarded second place in the “Sanofi Prize for Pharmacy 2026” competition, which is awarded by the French Embassy in the Czech Republic for her dissertation – Steroid Analysis Using Modern Chromatographic and Mass Spectrometry Techniques: From Fundamental Studies to Targeted Bioanalytical Applications (supervisor: Lucie Nováková, Charles University).&nbsp;<h5>What makes this field particularly exciting or unique in your view?</h5>What I&nbsp;enjoy about analytical chemistry is that, to a&nbsp;certain extent, it is a&nbsp;kind of detective work. You are often looking for ways to “make the invisible visible”. In other words, extract the information you are interested in from a&nbsp;complex sample and then interpret it correctly. What also appeals to me about bioanalytical chemistry is its interdisciplinary nature. It brings together analytical chemistry, biochemistry, biology and medicine, which means that you need to be able not only to translate a&nbsp;biological or clinical question into a&nbsp;measurable analytical experiment, but also to place the resulting data back into a&nbsp;broader biological context. This combination of different perspectives is probably what I&nbsp;enjoy most about the field. At the same time, there is still plenty of room for fundamental research, ranging from studying analytical techniques themselves and improving them to developing new methodological approaches.<h5>How did you end up at the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://mbu.cas.cz/en/research/laboratory-of-antibiotic-resistance-and-microbial-metabolomics">Laboratory of Antibiotic Resistance and Microbial Metabolomics</a>, and what project are you currently working on?</h5>I came to the Institute of Microbiology through a&nbsp;joint project between Dr Zdeněk Kameník and Assoc. Prof. Jan Bobek from the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University. For me, it was also an opportunity to move from targeted analysis and the study of chromatographic techniques towards untargeted metabolomics and new biological questions.In the project, we are trying to identify new biologically active compounds that would be effective, particularly against pathogenic fungi. As a&nbsp;potential source of such compounds, we study streptomycetes, bacteria known for their ability to produce a&nbsp;wide range of biologically active compounds, including many antibiotics that are currently in clinical use. We focus on less-explored host-associated streptomycetes, in which we had already observed antifungal activity in previous experiments. We are especially interested in strains active against Candida albicans whose activity cannot be explained by the presence of a&nbsp;known bioactive compound. These strains may represent an interesting source of novel compounds. We then integrate the results of untargeted metabolomic analyses with genomic analyses, which allows us to obtain a&nbsp;more comprehensive view of the biosynthetic potential of selected strains.<h5>You also took part in this year’s Vědafest, a&nbsp;science outreach event for the public. What was it like?</h5>I already had some experience with science outreach through events such as Researchers’ Night and the Science Fair at my previous institution, but this year’s Vědafest was still new to me in some ways. This time, I&nbsp;was presenting a&nbsp;field that I&nbsp;myself had entered only relatively recently. It was therefore more challenging to find the right analogies and explain the essence of the topic in a&nbsp;way that was simple, yet precise and scientifically accurate. At the same time, that was exactly what made it inspiring. It forces you to look at your own work from a&nbsp;different perspective. What I&nbsp;enjoyed most was the spontaneity and curiosity of the children, who often came up with questions that would never even occur to an adult.<h5>What are the biggest challenges you face on your scientific journey, and what helps you overcome them?</h5>One of the greatest, but at the same time most interesting, challenges is, in my view, the uncertainty that is inseparably linked to research. For a&nbsp;long time, you often do not know whether you have taken the right direction in addressing a&nbsp;particular question or whether you will ultimately manage to find that figurative final piece of the puzzle. At the same time, this uncertainty is precisely what makes science exciting for me.Another major challenge, particularly in interdisciplinary projects, is communication. It is important from the very formulation of a&nbsp;hypothesis and the planning of experiments through to the interpretation of results, including negative ones, and placing them in a&nbsp;broader context. To some extent, every field has its own language, and finding a&nbsp;common understanding is not always straightforward. Personally, I&nbsp;find it very helpful to be able to discuss problems with colleagues on an ongoing basis, whether individually or during regular laboratory seminars. One of the major strengths of our current group is its interdisciplinary nature, which allows me to look at the same problem from several different perspectives. It is also important for me not to lose my curiosity, because that is ultimately what leads us to ask further questions.<h5>What are your plans after completing your PhD?</h5>After finishing my PhD, I&nbsp;decided that I&nbsp;do not need to have everything that comes next precisely mapped out straight away. I&nbsp;would like to keep different options open for a&nbsp;while and continue building on my experience in analytical chemistry, while at the same time connecting it with other areas that have a&nbsp;biological or medical relevance. I&nbsp;believe that we can keep learning throughout our lives, so I&nbsp;am quite curious to see where the next stage of my journey will take me.Thank you for the interview!

Interview: What Drew Postdoc Taťána Gazárková to Analytical Chemistry

Scientists at CEITEC Brno University of Technology have developed microscopic robots that could one day accelerate beer production and simplify food quality control. The magnetically controlled biobots can actively mix liquids during fermentation, speed up the process, and separate themselves from the finished product once fermentation is complete. The results of the research, carried out by Professor Martin Pumera’s team, were published in the journal ACS Nano.“When people hear the word ‘robot’ today, they often imagine an electronic device. In reality, however, a robot can be any system capable of autonomously performing a specific task,” explains Martin Pumera of CEITEC Brno University of Technology.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Mikroroboti_z_CEITEC_mohou_urychlit_vyrobu_piva_i_kontrolu_kvality_potravin_7d9ff82875.jpeg" alt="CEITEC BUT/Jakub Rozboud: CEITEC Microrobots Could Speed Up Beer Production and Food Quality Control: Martin Pumera in his lab at CEITEC BUT." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Mikroroboti_z_CEITEC_mohou_urychlit_vyrobu_piva_i_kontrolu_kvality_potravin_7d9ff82875.jpeg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1067">The research team created so-called biobots—biohybrid microrobotic capsules containing brewer’s yeast and magnetic nanoparticles. When the yeast produces carbon dioxide during fermentation, the resulting bubbles cause the biobots to move up and down through the liquid. This naturally mixes the contents of the vessel and makes fermentation more efficient. Compared with conventional static particles, the biobots can therefore accelerate chemical processes that are important in food production.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Mikroroboti_z_CEITEC_mohou_urychlit_vyrobu_piva_i_kontrolu_kvality_potravin_4_af5fd4611f.jpg" alt="CEITEC BUT/Martin Pumera's archive: CEITEC Microrobots Could Speed Up Beer Production and Food Quality Control: Hematite microrobot (image for illustrative purposes)." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Mikroroboti_z_CEITEC_mohou_urychlit_vyrobu_piva_i_kontrolu_kvality_potravin_4_af5fd4611f.jpg 209w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1192">Another major advantage of the technology is that the biobots can be easily separated from the finished beverage. Thanks to the magnetic particles they contain, they can be controlled with a magnetic field and removed once fermentation is complete, eliminating the need for additional filtration. The researchers also demonstrated that the biobots can be reused over several production cycles.“Unlike conventional static particles, microrobots actively move throughout the entire volume of the liquid, allowing them to cover a larger area and make the whole process more efficient. At the same time, they also facilitate the automation of production,” adds Martin Pumera. The team is currently discussing potential applications of the technology with a major European brewery.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Mikroroboti_z_CEITEC_mohou_urychlit_vyrobu_piva_i_kontrolu_kvality_potravin_3_e8e5a3a55a.jpg" alt="CEITEC BUT/Martin Pumera's archive: CEITEC Microrobots Could Speed Up Beer Production and Food Quality Control: g-C₃N₄ microrobots (image for illustrative purposes)." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Mikroroboti_z_CEITEC_mohou_urychlit_vyrobu_piva_i_kontrolu_kvality_potravin_3_e8e5a3a55a.jpg 158w," sizes="100vw" width="1476" height="1460">Martin Pumera’s group has long been exploring the use of microrobots and advanced materials in the food industry. In the past, for example, the team developed a flexible sensor for smart packaging capable of detecting spoiled fish. The new biobots therefore represent another step towards more advanced methods of food quality and safety control.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Mikroroboti_z_CEITEC_mohou_urychlit_vyrobu_piva_i_kontrolu_kvality_potravin_2_75c7fed958.jpeg" alt="CEITEC BUT/ACS Nano: CEITEC Microrobots Could Speed Up Beer Production and Food Quality Control: ACS Nano - cover featuring article by Martin Pumera et al." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Mikroroboti_z_CEITEC_mohou_urychlit_vyrobu_piva_i_kontrolu_kvality_potravin_2_75c7fed958.jpeg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="2128">

 CEITEC Microrobots Could Speed Up Beer Production and Food Quality Control 

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Science and research

The Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS) was established by Act No. 283/1992 Coll. as the Czech successor of the former Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences. It is set up as a complex of 54 public research institutions.

Czech Academy of Sciences

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

CEITEC

In 1936, the Laboratory Equipment Company introduced the first rapid carbon determinator for the American iron and steel industry.  Today, almost 80 years later, LECO is recognized globally as a leader in the development of high-quality analytical instrumentation, mass spectrometers, comprehensive two-dimensional chromatography, metallography & optical equipment as well as consumables.

LECO

Thermo Scientific Antaris II FT-NIR Analyzer

The Thermo Scientific Antaris™ II FT-NIR Analyzer enables fast, non-destructive analysis without sample preparation, supporting quality control, process monitoring, and method transfer.

The Thermo Scientific Antaris™ II FT-NIR Analyzer is a Fourier Transform Near-Infrared (FT-NIR) analyzer designed for quality control, process monitoring, and method development in industrial environments. Its rugged design and intuitive operation enable reliable analysis directly on the production floor, in warehouses, and in laboratory.The system combines analytical performance with flexibility, supporting seamless method development, transfer, and routine operation. The Antaris II platform ensures reproducible results regardless of configuration, user, or environment, making it ideal for standardized workflows and global deployments.FT-NIR technology enables fast, non-destructive analysis without sample preparation, significantly improving efficiency and reducing operational costs.<h3>Key Features</h3><ul><li>FT-NIR spectroscopy for rapid, non-destructive analysis</li><li>Excellent method transferability between instruments</li><li>Rugged industrial design for harsh environments</li><li>Internal HeNe laser calibration – no external calibration required</li><li>Stable, frictionless Michelson interferometer</li><li>Automated workflows and SOP-driven operation</li><li>Fully compliant with regulated environments (GMP, 21 CFR Part 11)</li><li>Low cost of ownership and high reliability</li></ul><h3>Sampling Capabilities</h3>The system offers flexible sampling configurations that can be adapted to different material types and application requirements.<ul><li>Reflectance measurements: solids, powders, pastes</li><li>Transmission measurements: liquids, films, tablets</li><li>Fiber optics for in-line and remote measurements</li><li>Integrating sphere for diffuse reflectance</li><li>Tablet analyzer module</li><li>Automation options (up to ~120 samples per hour)</li></ul><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Antaris_II_FT_NIR_Analyzer_29c4d2264a.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific Antaris II FT-NIR Analyzer" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Antaris_II_FT_NIR_Analyzer_29c4d2264a.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1584" height="314"><h3>Software and Data Analysis</h3>Support for multiple software platforms depending on application (routine analysis, method development, chemometrics)<ul><li>RESULT software for routine operation and GMP environments</li><li>OMNIC software for advanced spectral analysis</li><li>The Unscrambler software for chemometric modeling and data interpretation</li></ul><h3>Advantages of FT-NIR Technology</h3><ul><li>No sample preparation required</li><li>Non-destructive analysis</li><li>Fast measurement times</li><li>High accuracy and reproducibility</li><li>Lower cost compared to wet chemistry and LC methods</li><li>Suitable for at-line and in-line analysis</li></ul><h3>Technical Specifications</h3><ul><li>Analyzer Type: FT-NIR (Fourier Transform Near-Infrared)</li><li>Spectral Range: 12,000 to 3,800 cm⁻¹ (833–2630 nm)</li><li>Resolution: 4 cm⁻¹ (standard), 2 cm⁻¹ (optional)</li><li>Detector: InGaAs</li><li>Source: Long-life halogen NIR source</li><li>Interferometer: Michelson, frictionless design</li><li>Wavenumber Accuracy: ±0.03 cm⁻¹</li><li>Repeatability: &lt;0.006 cm⁻¹</li><li>Reproducibility (system-to-system): &lt;0.05 cm⁻¹</li><li>Operating Temperature: 15–35 °C</li><li>Dimensions (W × D × H): 40.6 × 68.5 × 33 cm</li><li>Weight: 47.7 kg</li></ul><h3>Typical Applications</h3><ul><li>Pharmaceutical industry</li><li>Food and beverage analysis</li><li>Chemical industry</li><li>Polymer and materials analysis</li><li>Raw material identification</li><li>Process analytical technology (PAT, at-line, in-line)</li></ul>

Thermo Scientific Antaris MX FT-NIR Process Analyzer

The Thermo Scientific Antaris™ MX FT-NIR Process Analyzer enables real-time on-line and in-line monitoring, improving product quality, yield, and process efficiency.

The Thermo Scientific Antaris™ MX FT-NIR Process Analyzer is a Fourier Transform Near-Infrared (FT-NIR) analyzer designed for real-time on-line and in-line monitoring of industrial manufacturing processes. It enables continuous measurement of critical quality parameters directly in the process, allowing rapid response to deviations and improved production efficiency.Using fiber-optic technology and multi-point monitoring, the system can simultaneously measure multiple locations within a process using a single analyzer. This eliminates time delays between sampling points and provides true time-aligned data, which is essential for dynamic processes.The Antaris MX is built for demanding production environments, offering high reliability, reproducibility, and seamless integration into process control systems.<h3>Key Features</h3><ul><li>FT-NIR spectroscopy for real-time process analysis</li><li>Simultaneous multi-point monitoring with a single analyzer</li><li>Fiber-optic sampling for remote measurements</li><li>ParaLux™ technology with no mechanical channel switching</li><li>Continuous internal referencing (background correction)</li><li>High stability, sensitivity, and fast response time</li><li>Rugged design for industrial environments</li><li>Low cost of ownership and high system uptime</li></ul><h3>Sampling Capabilities</h3><ul><li>Fiber-optic probes for in-line, on-line, and at-line applications</li><li>Reflectance, transmission, and transflectance measurements</li><li>Simultaneous monitoring of up to 4 process points</li><li>Manual and fully automated sampling</li><li>Specialized probes for fermentation, drying, and slurry processes</li><li>Retractable probes with automated cleaning options</li></ul><h3>Software and Data Analysis</h3><ul><li>RESULT software for workflow control and automation</li><li>TQ Analyst™ for chemometric modeling and calibration transfer</li><li>OPC communication for integration with SCADA/DCS systems</li><li>Compatibility with LIMS, ERP, and tracking systems (RFID, barcode)</li><li>Automated pass/fail decision-making</li></ul><h3>Advantages of FT-NIR in Process Analysis</h3><ul><li>Real-time process feedback</li><li>Non-destructive analysis without sample preparation</li><li>Improved product yield and quality</li><li>Reduced operational costs</li><li>Elimination of delays between measurement and decision</li><li>Support for fully automated process control</li></ul><h3>Technical Specifications</h3><ul><li>Analyzer Type: FT-NIR (Fourier Transform Near-Infrared)</li><li>Spectral Range: 12,000 to 3,800 cm⁻¹ (833–2500 nm)</li><li>Resolution: 4 cm⁻¹ (standard), 2 cm⁻¹ (optional)</li><li>Detector: InGaAs</li><li>Source: Long-life halogen NIR source</li><li>Interferometer: Michelson, frictionless design</li><li>Wavenumber Accuracy: ±0.1 cm⁻¹</li><li>Repeatability: &lt;0.006 cm⁻¹</li><li>Reproducibility: &lt;0.05 cm⁻¹</li><li>Operating Temperature: 15–35 °C</li><li>Dimensions: 48.2 × 40.6 × 24.7 cm</li><li>Weight: 25.8 kg</li></ul><h3>Typical Applications</h3><ul><li>Real-time process monitoring (on-line, in-line)</li><li>Raw material identification and control</li><li>Pharmaceutical and chemical industries</li><li>Fermentation and reaction monitoring</li><li>Quality control in production</li><li>Mobile and at-line analysis</li></ul>

Products focused on NIR Spectroscopy distributed by Thermo Fisher Scientific (EMEA) - page 1

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