Oligonucleotide and mRNA Analysis Resource Roundup

What do chromatography, gemstones, rainbows and even cats have in common? At KNAUER’s latest Girls’ Day in Berlin, 15 schoolgirls explored exactly that question. Through a series of hands-on activities, they discovered how HPLC instruments are developed and manufactured, learned the basics of spectroscopy and chromatography, and met women working across science, engineering, product management and company leadership.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_Figure_1_A_student_observes_the_rainbow_spectrum_of_white_light_8ef24d9700.jpeg" alt="KNAUER: Figure 1 A student observes the rainbow spectrum of white light." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_Figure_1_A_student_observes_the_rainbow_spectrum_of_white_light_8ef24d9700.jpeg 228w," sizes="100vw" width="624" height="427"><h4>A Day to Explore STEM Careers</h4>Girls’ Future Day, widely known as Girls’ Day, gives schoolgirls across Germany an opportunity to experience professions in which women are still underrepresented. Instead of learning about careers only in the classroom, participants can spend a day inside companies, laboratories and technical workplaces and see what these jobs actually involve.KNAUER has participated in Girls’ Day for 17 years, and demand for places has become consistently high. The attraction is easy to understand: visitors do not simply listen to presentations. They can experiment, assemble components, talk directly with employees and discover how science and engineering are applied in everyday work.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_Figure_2_Hands_on_experience_and_wonder_at_Girls_Day_2025_98da525b3a.jpg" alt="KNAUER: Figure 2 - Hands-on experience and wonder at Girls’ Day 2025: 13 interested girls assembled pump heads, learned what HPLC is, and how such equipment is developed" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_Figure_2_Hands_on_experience_and_wonder_at_Girls_Day_2025_98da525b3a.jpg 125w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="1280"><blockquote>“That moment when the girls realize, with sparkling eyes, just how cool science can be—that’s exactly why I love Girls’ Day. It’s worth every bit of the effort!” – Dr. Kristin Folmert, chemist and product manager at KNAUER</blockquote><h4>From Laboratory Instruments to a Wide Range of Careers</h4>At KNAUER wissenschaftliche Geräte GmbH, laboratory instrumentation is designed, developed, manufactured, tested and marketed from Berlin for customers around the world.That requires far more than chemists alone. The company brings together people working in mechanical production, logistics, media design, mechatronics, software development, science, product management and company management.For the participating girls, this offered a chance to meet women following very different career paths and to see that a technology company can provide opportunities across many disciplines.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_Figure_3_The_girls_learned_what_chromatography_and_HPLC_are_a7db4e8eb3.jpg" alt="KNAUER: Figure 3 - The girls learned what chromatography and HPLC are, what they are used for, and how a UV/Vis detector works. They then built their own handheld spectroscope and experimented with white light and various color filters." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_Figure_3_The_girls_learned_what_chromatography_and_HPLC_are_a7db4e8eb3.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="609"><h4>Women in Science and Technology at KNAUER</h4>Women account for 37% of KNAUER’s workforce, with particularly strong representation in scientific and management positions. The company reports a gender pay gap of 1.84% for 2026, compared with an unadjusted German gender pay gap of 16% in 2025. Women also hold 44% of leadership positions at KNAUER, including several positions performed on a part-time basis.The company emphasizes practical measures intended to make technical careers accessible to a wider range of employees. These include flexible work models, support for childcare and technical solutions such as indoor cranes for handling heavy components.During Girls’ Day, these policies become less abstract. Participants meet scientists, engineers and managers who can describe how they entered their professions and how their careers developed.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_Figure_4_During_a_visit_to_the_equipment_development_department_scientist_Thy_Vu_talks_about_her_career_at_KNAUER_3bd9af2786.jpg" alt="KNAUER: Figure 4 - During a visit to the equipment development department, scientist Thy Vu talks about her career at KNAUER. She wrote her bachelor’s thesis here and then worked as a student assistant in development during her master’s program. Subsequent to completing her master’s degree, she accepted a permanent position at KNAUER in the development department. Today, she is developing the pump drive of the future and tells the fascinated girls which gemstones are used in such a pump (sapphires and rubies)." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_Figure_4_During_a_visit_to_the_equipment_development_department_scientist_Thy_Vu_talks_about_her_career_at_KNAUER_3bd9af2786.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="614"><h4>Role Models and First-Hand Career Insights</h4>Several KNAUER employees are also involved in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13080121/">International Women in Chromatography</a>, a network supporting women and non-binary professionals working in chromatography.Throughout the day, the students encountered women at different stages of their careers: from university students and young scientists to experienced product managers, developers and Managing Director Alexandra Knauer.The message was not simply that STEM careers are available to women, but that scientific and technical work can take many forms. Networking, curiosity, willingness to ask questions and confidence in one’s own abilities were recurring themes throughout the event.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_Figure_5_A_girl_works_intently_and_with_great_care_on_her_spectroscope_ed94a2a049.jpg" alt="KNAUER: Figure 5 - A girl works intently and with great care on her spectroscope. None of the girls glance at their phones; they are all polite, and many feel comfortable asking questions openly. We are very excited about this generation of bright young talents." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_Figure_5_A_girl_works_intently_and_with_great_care_on_her_spectroscope_ed94a2a049.jpg 127w," sizes="100vw" width="405" height="496"><h4>Learning HPLC by Doing</h4>The scientific part of the day began with the basic principles of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).To make separation easier to understand, the group first experimented with light and heavy balls inside a large glass column. From there, the discussion moved to the individual components of an HPLC system.One analogy compared an HPLC instrument with the human body: the pump moves liquid much like the heart circulates blood, separation takes place in the column, and the detector observes the separated compounds through their interaction with light.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_Figure_6_The_HPLC_and_its_various_modules_depicted_as_human_organs_855ab67aac.jpg" alt="KNAUER: Figure 6 - The HPLC and its various modules, depicted as human organs." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_Figure_6_The_HPLC_and_its_various_modules_depicted_as_human_organs_855ab67aac.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1210" height="670"><h4>Building a Spectroscope and Seeing Light Differently</h4>Each participant then constructed a small handheld spectroscope.The task required both careful reading and manual dexterity, particularly when fitting the delicate lens. Working together, the girls quickly developed better ways to complete the assembly—a small example of how real development projects evolve through cooperation and continuous improvement.Once finished, the spectroscopes revealed the spectrum of white light as a rainbow together with visible spectral features. Colored filters placed between the light source and the spectroscope then demonstrated how absorption changes the observed spectrum.This connected the practical activity with concepts introduced earlier in the day: visible light, wavelength, absorption and how optical signals eventually become peaks in HPLC detection.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_Figure_7_A_11_year_old_girl_gazes_fascinated_at_her_rainbow_4f713de2ae.jpg" alt="KNAUER: Figure 7 - A 11-year-old girl gazes fascinated at her rainbow and notices that while all the colors are visible, some areas are brighter while others are quite dark. “Is the spotlight not pure white, or is my spectroscope absorbing light?” Such clever questions arise when girls are encouraged to explore things for themselves." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_Figure_7_A_11_year_old_girl_gazes_fascinated_at_her_rainbow_4f713de2ae.jpg 200w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="800"><h4>Inside Instrument Development and Manufacturing</h4>The program then moved from theory into KNAUER’s production environment.In the mechanical manufacturing area, participants saw CNC machines and robotic systems producing precision components for laboratory instruments. They could watch parts of an HPLC pump head taking shape directly from metal components and learn why accurate machining is essential for reliable instrument performance.<blockquote>“This is like science fiction!” – Mariko Stahr, Girls’ Day participant</blockquote>In the development department, engineer Thy Vu demonstrated her work on pump-drive technology and explained how developers investigate parameters such as motor torque. The girls were also able to handle some of the materials used inside an HPLC pump.One detail generated particular interest: components made from sapphire and ruby. This opened a discussion about material properties, crystal structures and why instrument developers benefit from understanding chemistry as well as engineering.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_Figure_8_Thomas_Mueller_explains_to_the_girls_how_CNC_machines_mill_the_housing_for_a_pump_head_bd714b9b50.jpg" alt="KNAUER: Figure 8 - Thomas Müller explains to the girls how CNC machines mill the housing for a pump head from a block of metal and why precision is crucial in this process. On the left is one of the robotic arms that continues working even at night, allowing employees to focus solely on daytime work and more demanding tasks. " srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_Figure_8_Thomas_Mueller_explains_to_the_girls_how_CNC_machines_mill_the_housing_for_a_pump_head_bd714b9b50.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1278" height="468"><h4>Assembling a Real HPLC Pump Head</h4>The final practical station brought the participants into instrument assembly.Each girl was given the opportunity to assemble a pump head herself. The work proved more demanding than it initially appeared, requiring both hands to coordinate several components accurately.With guidance from KNAUER training supervisor Ronald Berger, the participants completed their assemblies before each pump head underwent a final technical check to verify that the pistons moved correctly.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_Figure_9_A_girl_is_screwing_the_check_valve_with_the_check_valve_holder_i_cf84fb4375.jpg" alt="KNAUER: Figure 9 - A girl is screwing the check valve with the check valve holder into the pump head. Everything is then tightened using a torque wrench." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_Figure_9_A_girl_is_screwing_the_check_valve_with_the_check_valve_holder_i_cf84fb4375.jpg 179w," sizes="100vw" width="376" height="327">The day concluded with lunch and another opportunity to speak with Managing Director Alexandra Knauer, who has long supported initiatives intended to improve the visibility of women and encourage young people to consider STEM careers.Participants received certificates and “I love HPLC” bags with small gifts before leaving KNAUER with their own impressions of what a future in science and technology could look like.<h4>So Where Do the Cats and Rainbows Come In?</h4>The rainbow seen through a spectroscope provides a simple demonstration of the same basic optical principle used in many analytical measurements.When white light is dispersed, its different wavelengths become visible as a spectrum. If part of that light is absorbed by an object or substance, the resulting spectrum changes. Measuring which wavelengths are absorbed can therefore reveal information about the material interacting with the light.The article illustrates the idea with a deliberately simple example: a cat sitting in front of a light source may absorb most of the light, but its silhouette still provides information about what is blocking the beam.Similarly, analytical detectors can obtain information about molecules by measuring how they interact with light.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_Figure_10_The_cat_actually_absorbs_all_the_light_af8452f58d.jpg" alt="KNAUER: Figure 10 - The cat actually absorbs all the light, but its outline still lets us know that there’s a fluffy cat sitting there. In HPLC, a[SD5.1] molecule’s light absorption also tells us a great deal about its identity. " srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_Figure_10_The_cat_actually_absorbs_all_the_light_af8452f58d.jpg 236w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="676">The same principle also helps explain the colors of evening sunlight. When sunlight travels through a longer path in the atmosphere, shorter-wavelength blue light is scattered more strongly, leaving proportionally more of the longer-wavelength red and orange light reaching the observer.For the students at KNAUER, concepts such as these transformed HPLC and spectroscopy from abstract scientific terminology into something they could build, observe and discuss themselves.And that is ultimately the purpose of Girls’ Day: to show young people that science and technology are not distant subjects confined to textbooks, but fields full of practical questions, creative problem solving and possible future careers.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun With KNAUER – A Girls' Day Full of Rainbows

Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezLCMS Library in the week of 21st September 2026? Check out new documents from the field of liquid phase, especially HPLC and LC/MS techniques!<blockquote>👉 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library">SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT LCMS AND RELATED TECHNIQUES</a></blockquote><blockquote>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques? Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezGCMS</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezICPMS</a> libraries.</blockquote>This week we bring you application notes by KNAUER and Shimadzu, technical note by Thermo Fisher Scientific and poster by Waters Corporation / SOFT!<h3>1. KNAUER: Precise Catechin Profiling in Various Types of Tea</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/pdf/VFD_0198_knauer_precise_catechin_profiling_in_various_types_of_tea_d607cde5ba.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Fresh tea leaves contain high concentrations of catechins, which have many beneficial properties. These include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory as well as antimicrobial effects, and it is even claimed that they have the potential to prevent cancer [1]. In addition, the taste and mouthfeel of a tea strongly depend on its catechin profile. The catechin content of tea leaves varies based on cultivation area, age and variety, as well as on how they are fermented, processed and packed. Therefore, the catechin content is an important marker for the quality of tea.&nbsp;The analysis of catechins can be challenging. The structural similarity of the catechin isomers and other closely related compounds result in similar behavior and a difficult separation (Fig. 1). Catechins possess many phenolic hydroxyl groups, which are prone to secondary interactions, like hydrogen bonding. Classical as well as highly endcapped C18 columns offer only limited retention and selectivity for catechins. Therefore, the KNAUER column portfolio has been expanded to include a pentafluorophenyl (PFP)-modified stationary phase (Eurospher II 100-3 PFP column 50 x 2 mm). It offers optimal separation of the catechins based on hydrophilic, hydrophobic and π-π-interactions. The column withstands acidic eluents (pH 1.5–10) as well as 100 % aqueous conditions, which are beneficial for the retention of hydrophilic compounds. The KNAUER Gradient Prediction Tool assisted with the challenging method development which is described in detail in the TechNote “The Gradient Prediction Tool: Method Development for the Separation of Catechins from Tea”. Here, the application of the optimized method for the identification and quantification of catechins in tea extracts is shown. The seven compounds specified in ISO-14502-2 (2005), as well as two additional catechins known as (+)-gallocatechin and (–)-gallocatechin gallate, were quantified.<h4>MATERIAL AND METHODS</h4><ul><li>Pump: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products/2374">P8.1L</a>; high pressure gradient&nbsp;</li><li>Liquid Handler: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products/1454">LH 8.1L </a>With FastWash station, and Robotic cooler. Loop: 20 µl.</li><li>Thermostat: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products/2376">CT 2.1L&nbsp;</a></li><li>Detector: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products/2424">DAD 6.1L&nbsp;</a></li><li>Flow cell: Analytical LightGuide flow cell (50 mm, 6 µl)&nbsp;</li><li>Software: ClarityChrom 10.1</li></ul><h4>CONCLUSION&nbsp;</h4>The application note demonstrates the reliable separation and quantification of catechins and caffeine in tea extracts using the new KNAUER PFP column. Using an optimised gradient predicted with the KNAUER Gradient Prediction Tool, nine tea-related compounds were separated in under 23 minutes. The tested tea samples showed different catechin content highlighting how strongly tea composition depends on the product type and processing.<h3>2. Shimadzu: New Derivatization Method for Quantitative Analysis of Δ⁹-THC-COOH in Urine</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/pdf/an_01_01215_en_c98174629b.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul><h5>User Benefits</h5><ul><li>The risk of limited availability of stable isotope-labeled standards can be avoided by synthesizing internal standards through derivatization.&nbsp;</li><li>The derivatizing agent IPPAH and its corresponding stable isotope IPPAH-d6 can be synthesized easily and inexpensively from acetone (or acetone-d6).&nbsp;</li><li>This approach achieves sufficient sensitivity and quantitative accuracy for the determination of Δ⁹-THC-COOH in urine.</li></ul>In Japan, the Cannabis Control Act and the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act were amended in December 2024. While cannabis was legalized for industrial and medical uses, stricter cannabis regulations have been enacted to prevent harm from its abuse. The primary psychoactive cannabinoid, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC), is extensively metabolized in the body and is excreted mainly in urine and feces as 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (Δ⁹-THC-COOH) and its glucuronide conjugates. Consequently, Δ⁹-THC-COOH must be analyzed to confirm cannabis use. For LC-MS/MS quantitation, the stable isotope-labeled internal standard Δ⁹-THC-COOH-d3 is commonly used to correct for matrix effects. However, most suppliers of stable isotope standards are located in the U.S., making these standards difficult to obtain due to import procedures. Furthermore, there may be additional importrelated supply risks for stable isotope standards in the future.&nbsp;This Application News describes a technique for quantitating Δ⁹-THC-COOH using an internal standard that is synthesized easily and inexpensively by derivatization with IPPAH (1- isopropylpiperidine carboxylic acid hydrazide), which characteristically reacts with carboxyl groups, and its corresponding stable isotope IPPAH-d6.<h4>Analysis Conditions&nbsp;</h4>LC-MS/MS analysis conditions are shown in Table 1. The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/lcms/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=Nexera+XR">Nexera XR</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/lcms/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=LCMS-8050">LCMS-8050 systems</a> were used.<h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>Derivatization with IPPAH and its stable isotope analog, IPPAHd6, enabled the simple and inexpensive preparation of an internal standard. This approach provides sufficient sensitivity and accuracy for the determination of Δ⁹-THC-COOH in urine. Most stable isotope-labeled standards are supplied by foreign manufacturers, creating a risk of delays or difficulties in procurement due to import/export regulations. By synthesizing the internal standard through derivatization, this risk can be minimized.<h3>3. Thermo Fisher Scientific: High-throughput quantitative proteomics with Evosep Eno and the Orbitrap Astral Zoom Mass Spectrometer</h3><ul><li>Technical note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/pdf/tn_004544_ov_astralzoom_evosepeno_htp_proteomics_tn004544_na_en_f31db9084e.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>High-throughput proteomics is a critical enabling technology for large clinical studies, high-content drug screening, and systems biology research, allowing for comprehensive and quantitative analysis of complex proteomes across large sample cohorts within practical timeframes. As biological and translational studies expand in scale and complexity, the ability to generate deep and reproducible proteome measurements across thousands of samples has become increasingly essential for robust biomarker discovery, network-level systems modeling, and downstream analyses. In these contexts, accurate and precise protein quantitation must be maintained without sacrificing throughput, placing stringent demands on the performance and robustness of both LC instruments and mass spectrometers.&nbsp;To meet these increasing analytical demands, the Evosep Eno was developed as a high‑throughput LC system that combines robustness, ease of use, and highly reproducible chromatography. It offers six standardized methods: 30, 60, 100, 200, 300, and 500 samples per day (SPD), allowing users to select the throughput that aligns best with their study goals.1 These predefined methods ensure consistent gradient delivery, highly stable retention times, and reproducible system performance across instruments and laboratories.2 By reducing LC‑related variability and simplifying everyday operation, the Evosep Eno offers a strong and consistent foundation for large‑scale proteomics workflows, particularly those relying on short gradients and high reproducibility required for downstream quantitative analysis.<h4>Experiment</h4><h5>Instrumentation&nbsp;</h5><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/lcms/library?mainauthorItems=291&amp;search=evosep+eno">Evosep Eno&nbsp;</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products/1959">Orbitrap Astral Zoom Mass Spectrometer&nbsp;</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products/2464">Thermo Scientific™ EASY-Spray™ Ion Source&nbsp;</a></li><li>Evosep™ Pod for EASY-Spray Ion Source</li></ul><h5>Software&nbsp;</h5><ul><li>Biognosys Spectronaut® 19.7 software&nbsp;</li><li>MacCoss Lab Software Skyline-Daily V25.1</li></ul><h4>Summary&nbsp;</h4><h5>Seamless and easy integration for high-throughput proteomics&nbsp;</h5>Evosep Eno integrates seamlessly with the Orbitrap Astral Zoom Mass Spectrometer, supported by EASY-Spray source-compatible columns, emitters, and the Evosep Pod column oven for a simple, streamlined, high-throughput workflow.&nbsp;<h5>Deep proteome coverage at 500 SPD&nbsp;</h5>Optimized MS parameters for the standard 500 SPD Evosep Eno gradient enabled identification of more than 6,500 protein groups and 71,000 modified peptides from three replicates of 200 ng Pierce HeLa Digest/PRTC Standard.<h5>Reproducible quantitation across standard gradients&nbsp;</h5>Across all standard Evosep Eno gradients, the workflow delivered highly reproducible label-free quantification, with median protein group %CVs at or below 5.2%, while identifying more than 10,500 protein groups and 190,000 modified peptides from five replicates of 200 ng Pierce HeLa Digest/PRTC Standard at 30 SPD.&nbsp;<h5>Robust chromatography at ultra-high throughput&nbsp;</h5>Chromatographic performance remained stable and robust at 500 SPD, with nearly 100 consecutive runs showing PRTC retention time standard deviations below 0.4 seconds and a median of 6 DPPP.&nbsp;<h5>Strong linearity for confident quantitation&nbsp;</h5>Quantitative performance remained strong at 500 SPD, with PRTC peptides showing excellent linearity across the active gradient (R² &gt;0.98) when spiked from attomolar to femtomolar concentrations.<h3>4. Waters Corporation / SOFT: COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF HIGH RESOLUTION MASS SPECTROMETRY ACQUISITION STRATEGIES FOR THE DETECTION AND ANALYSIS OF ILLICIT DRUG SUBSTANCES</h3><ul><li>Poster</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/pdf/720009592_0bd2b5ee6a.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul><div><div><section><div><div><div><div><div><div>The poster compares two high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry acquisition strategies for toxicology screening: targeted Tof-MRM and data-independent Tof-MSE, both implemented on a Waters <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products/1148">Xevo MRT MS</a> coupled to an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products/199">ACQUITY UPLC I-Class FTN PLUS System</a>. The aim was to determine whether these approaches could meet routine service requirements for drug testing while also broadening the number of substances that can be detected beyond conventional targeted panels. Urine samples were prepared across a wide concentration range for 20 target analytes, and the methods were also applied to 20 anonymized authentic urine samples.Both workflows used a 15-minute LC separation on an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products/1952">ACQUITY HSS C18 column</a> under positive electrospray ionization. In the targeted Tof-MRM mode, selected precursor ions were isolated and fragmented, with quantifier and qualifier ions monitored for sensitive quantitative analysis. In contrast, Tof-MSE operated in a data-independent mode, alternating between low and elevated collision energies to collect accurate-mass precursor and fragment-ion information for a broad range of compounds. Data were processed in the waters_connect platform using MS Quan for Tof-MRM and UNIFI with the Waters Toxicology Library, containing more than 2,100 drugs and metabolites, for Tof-MSE.The targeted Tof-MRM method provided the highest sensitivity, with limits of detection ranging from 0.05 to 0.5 ng/mL in fortified urine. The broader Tof-MSE workflow achieved LODs of approximately 0.5 to 5 ng/mL. When both strategies were applied to authentic urine samples, they showed excellent qualitative agreement. Importantly, Tof-MSE detected additional compounds outside the predefined target panel, including commonly encountered medications, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and illicit drug substances that would not have been captured by the targeted method alone.Overall, the study shows that Tof-MRM can deliver sensitivity comparable to conventional tandem-quadrupole LC-MS/MS for targeted urinary drug analysis, while Tof-MSE adds broader sample characterization and retrospective screening capability. Used together, the two acquisition strategies provide a flexible approach that combines sensitive quantification of predefined analytes with expanded screening for unexpected or previously untargeted drug substances in complex biological samples.</div></div></div></div></div></div></section></div></div>

News from LabRulezLCMS Library - Week 39, 2026

Article

Application

Popularization

Science and research

Poster

A unique company dedicated to serving science helping our customers drive productivity and accelerate results. Through our premier brands – Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific and Unity Lab Services.

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Everything from the world of analytical chemistry in one place. We connect people in solving their problems. At Labrulez you will find all the necessary information easily, quickly and clearly. Stop searching and start finding.

LabRulez

Based in Berlin, KNAUER is a medium-sized, owner-managed company that has been serving the sciences since 1962. We develop and manufacture scientific instruments of superior quality for liquid chromatography, including: Analytical HPLC/UHPLC, Preparative HPLC, Fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC), Multi-column chromatography/Simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatography. High pressure dosing, in-line detection systems, and osmometry are additional business areas.

KNAUER

New Food magazine

Agilent Technologies

SelectScience

SCIEX

Waters Corporation

Join this virtual panel to hear experts discuss new liquid chromatography technologies and techniques for separation of dietary supplements.
Health-conscious consumers are increasingly seeking supplements that deliver targeted health benefits. Meeting the demands of this growing market while maintaining consumer trust, cost control, and speed to market presents a host of analytical challenges.
Join us for an informative webinar focused on the evolving landscape of dietary supplements, where industry experts will discuss standard methods, advanced analytical techniques, and quality control. Learn how the standard methods are established and how to navigate common compliance challenges using advanced analytical techniques.
We will explore the latest chromatography technologies that improve the accuracy and reliability of supplement testing. Gain insights into strategies for ensuring product consistency and purity and understand the importance of ingredient verification for consumer safety and trust.
Don’t miss this great opportunity to deepen your understanding of the supplement landscape and stay ahead in the competitive dietary supplement market by leveraging the latest chromatography technologies!
Key learning points
<ul>
<li>Learn how standard methods are developed and how to incorporate new chromatographic techniques to maintain regulatory compliance
</li>
<li>Discover the latest innovations in chromatography and how these technological advancements can revolutionize your analysis
</li>
<li>Gain insights from industry experts to improve workflow efficiency and ensure product consistency and consumer trust
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Jinchuan Yang, PhD (Waters Corporation)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Dr. Jinchuan Yang is a Principal Scientist at Waters Corporation, and a subject matter expert in food and environmental applications, polymer chromatography, and LC and MS technologies. Since he joined Waters in 2002, his roles at Waters have mainly focused on application development, market development, and support for R&amp;D and training. He is an active participant in technical stakeholder groups at AOAC International and USP, serving as an expert panel member in AOAC SPIFAN and participating in review, recommendation and muti-lab testing of AOAC methods.
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New Food: How innovation has shaped dietary supplement testing for quality and compliance

How innovation has shaped dietary supplement testing for quality and compliance

The evolving landscape of dietary supplements, where industry experts will discuss standard methods, advanced analytical techniques, and quality control.

How innovation has shaped dietary supplement testing

Tailing, fronting, peak doubling are all topics that we will cover during troubleshooting.After the session, we will be able to identify causes and avoid errors.<blockquote>Presenter: Giorgio Ferlat (MSc, EMEAI IDO Product Specialist, Chemistries and Supplies, Agilent Technologies)Giorgio achieved his Master Degree in Chemistry at the University of Trieste, Italy and has over 25 years of analytical chemistry experience, both in the laboratory and in the field, with strong expertise.He has over 15 years of experience in consultative consumable sales and business development covering both national and international positions.</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: HPLC Beginner Webinar Series

Troubleshooting and Everyday Routine (HPLC Columns)

Tailing, fronting, peak doubling are all topics that we will cover during troubleshooting. 

The hunt goes on, let's find the needle in the haystack:Join us for an insightful webinar where we delve into the world of chemometrics to enhance your data interpretation skills. Learn how to select the appropriate statistical tools to make sense of your data and identify features of interest by visualizing trends and changes using various clustering and grouping approaches. We will also cover the construction of class prediction models to differentiate between sample cohorts effectively.Finally, gain a deeper understanding of your findings by mapping them onto relevant metabolomic pathways, providing essential context for your research.<blockquote>Presenter: Hannah Florance (Application Specialist LC/MS, Agilent Technologies)Hannah has had multiple roles in the life sciences, starting as a protein chemist, before moving into proteomics and then metabolomics. A major part of her time working in academia involved running LC and GCMS core facilities supporting projects ranging from synthetic biology to cancer research. She is currently an LCMS applications specialist for Agilent. Presenter: Shaun Reeksting (Application Specialist LC/MS, Agilent Technologies)Shaun completed his PhD in Biochemistry, specializing in molecular parasitology a focus in metabolomics. Following his doctoral studies, he worked in accredited industry laboratories and academia core-facilities before joining Agilent Technologies as an LC/MS Application Engineer.In this role, Shaun focuses on environmental small molecule applications using LC-QTOF, with a strong emphasis on software tools and data interpretation.</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: MassHunter Masterclass Months

Finding the Needle in the Haystack Part II; All Things Chemometric

Join us for an insightful webinar where we delve into the world of chemometrics to enhance your data interpretation skills.

All Things Chemometric

In our last session, we will tackle compliance as we will delve into the critical aspects of compliance and its significance for your laboratory.Discover what compliance entails and why it is essential for maintaining the integrity and reliability of your lab’s operations. We will explore the various configurations available to meet your specific regulatory requirements, ensuring you have the necessary tools and knowledge to stay compliant.Additionally, gain valuable insights into content management, audit trails, and applications that streamline your compliance processes, making your lab more efficient and secure.Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your understanding of working in a regulated environment and ensure your lab’s success.<blockquote>Presenter: &nbsp;Christian Hegmanns (Application Specialist LC/MS, Agilent Technologies, Waldbronn, Germany.)Christian Hegmanns is a state-certified food chemist and works at Agilent as an LC/MS application specialist.With over 10 years of experience in the field of instrumental analysis, Christian develops customer-oriented solutions for a variety of applications with a focus on food analysis.</blockquote>

MassHunter Compliance – Working in a Regulated Environment

We will tackle compliance as we will delve into the critical aspects of compliance and its significance for your laboratory.

We’ll work through a topic of the week and discuss any questions that come up along the way. During these sessions, we’ll talk about how to care for your SEC-MALS or FFF-MALS system, help you brush up on your ASTRA and DYNAMICS data processing, discuss measuring dn/dc values and why dn/dc is important, and see how stable RI baselines are achievable. Working with polydisperse samples? We’ll see how to leverage ASTRA’s distribution analysis and results fitting features. Special topics on error analysis, batch MALS work, and more. The live interactive web series are 100% live sessions, with anonymous Q&amp;A welcome during and after the discussion. Free for all Wyatt customers.Session Topics<ul><li>The benefits of FFF separation</li><li>Application examples</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Dr. Christian AckerschottDr. Christian Ackerschott studied Chemistry at the University of Cologne and finished with his diploma thesis in Biochemistry. He completed his studies with the PhD thesis “Characterization of Recombinant Flagelliform Spider Silk Proteins” at the Technische Universität München, where AF4-MALS was used as an essential characterization method.Since 2007, Christian works at Wyatt Technology as Application Scientist and is now Head of Customer Service. His tasks also include customer trainings in Dernbach and onsite as well as education and training of the local Field Application Scientists. &nbsp;</blockquote>

Waters: How does FFF separation work? How can I use it for my samples?

How does FFF separation work? How can I use it for my samples?

We’ll see how to leverage ASTRA’s distribution analysis and results fitting features. Special topics on error analysis, batch MALS work, and more.

How does FFF separation work?

Therapeutic synthetic oligonucleotides face unique analytical challenges in late-stage development. Meeting stringent regulatory requirements demands highly specific and sensitive methods like LC-MS. However, typical QC analysts struggle with the complexity of purity, assay and impurity profiling due to limitations in current chromatography and mass spectrometry data systems.This webinar will explore a paradigm shift in software that streamlines the analytical workflow while maintaining data integrity and compliance. Our expert speakers will also discuss how to apply the Oligo Analysis Accelerator for OpenLabs CDS to your oligonucleotide therapeutic testing, helping you to optimize synthesis and purification.Attend this webinar to:<ul><li>Discover how fit-for-purpose software for LC-MS analysis in QC lot release can save time and enhance quality</li><li>Understand the fundamentals of ion-pair reversed phase LC-MS for oligonucleotides</li><li>Discover how to use single quadrupole detector for impurity profiling of anti-sense oligonucleotides</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Charlotte Lekieffre, PhD (Biopharma Application Specialist, Agilent Technologies)Charlotte holds a PhD from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and has 10 years' experience in developing analytical workflows for mass spectrometry. She now brings her expertise to Agilent's customers as an LCMS Application Specialist in the BioPharma sector.Presenter: Kevin Koelliker (Lab Informatics Application Engineer at Agilent Technologies)Kevin is a Lab Informatics Application Engineer for Agilent Technologies. He studied Chemistry and Business informatics, and he worked as a Lab Technician, and as a Field Service Engineer before joining Agilent. Combined he has more than 15 Years of Experience in the analytical laboratory and therefore met already multiple different workflows. He works together with the Lab Informatics Product Specialists to demonstrate the Power of OpenLab, and to customize it to meet the needs of our Customers.</blockquote>

Technology Networks: Mastering QC Oligonucleotide LC-MS in GMP Labs

Mastering QC Oligonucleotide LC-MS in GMP Labs

This webinar will explore a paradigm shift in software that streamlines the analytical workflow while maintaining data integrity and compliance.

In this webinar, Novartis will show how they are digitalizing and fully automating systems across large molecule R&amp;D. By integrating liquid handling systems, mass spectrometers, and the Genedata Biopharma platform, Novartis has implemented a ‘full-circle’ mass spectrometry (MS) workflow automation for standardized analyses. Their automated MS workflow includes analytics requests by laboratory scientists, barcoding, sample preparation, mass spectrometry, data analysis, and reporting. Automating repetitive tasks increases efficiency and allows scientists to focus on more complex projects and advanced sample analytics.Join Felix Stemmer, Senior Scientist II, and Martin Jockel, Senior Expert in Data Science, from Novartis as they illustrate how they are streamlining processes and accelerating operations.Key learning objectives<ul><li>Discover how Novartis is automating complex MS-based workflows in biopharma R&amp;D</li><li>Learn how Novartis has implemented a ‘full-circle’ MS analytics platform, integrating high quality MS data into an enterprise-level biotherapeutics discovery platform</li><li>Hear how Novartis scientists significantly increased research efficiency by using MS analytics workflows</li></ul>Who should attend?<ul><li>Biopharmaceutical analytical scientists, laboratory leaders, and directors who are looking to develop and automate MS-based analytics in biotherapeutic R&amp;D.</li><li>IT professionals, automation architects, and engineers looking to support organizational-level data platforms for digitalization of complex, multidimensional data streams in biologics discovery workflows.</li></ul>Certificate of attendanceAll webinar participants can request a certificate of attendance, including a learning outcomes summary, for continuing education purposes.<blockquote>Presenter: Martin Jockel (Senior Expert I Data Science, Novartis)Martin Jockel, a bioinformatics graduate from the Technical University of Applied Sciences in Bingen, has worked for Novartis for the past 12 years. His proficiency in crafting custom software solutions has enhanced laboratories’ capabilities in data storage and visualization, leading to optimized workflows and increased efficiency.In recent years, Jockel has further broadened his scope to include lab automation, ensuring these processes are integrated into Novartis’ technical ecosystem. For the past three years, he has been contributing to the Genedata project at Novartis as a developer and as the Scrum Master for the Technical Team.Presenter: Felix Stemmer (Senior Scientist II, Novartis)Felix Stemmer has a background in bioengineering from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology where his passion for lab automation began. Now working at Novartis, Stemmer is currently working on a collaborative project with Genedata, integrating liquid handling systems and analytical instruments into Genedata’s respective software.Before joining Novartis, Stemmer worked on a series of automation projects including miniaturizing downstream processing and CHO and HEK upstream processing, highlighting his extensive experience in automation.</blockquote>

SelectScience: Full-Circle MS Workflow Automation at Novartis

Full-Circle MS Workflow Automation at Novartis

Novartis will show how they are digitalizing and fully automating systems across large molecule R&D.

Learn how to extend your NGS capabilities with the Magnis NGS Prep System.We are thrilled to invite you to our upcoming webinar on how to Extend your NGS Capabilities with the Magnis NGS Prep System.Discover the latest NGS technologies ensuring that labs produce consistent, high-quality data, no matter the application or sample requirements.In today’s fast-paced scientific environment, maximizing lab efficiency and productivity is crucial. The Magnis NGS Prep offers a comprehensive solution designed to streamline NGS library preparation workflows, reduce manual errors, and accelerate research outcomes.Webinar Learning:<ul><li>Automated Processes: Magnis System automates routine tasks, freeing up valuable time for scientists to focus on critical experiments.</li><li>Library Quality: &nbsp;Magnis System produces robust and reproducible results enabling an increased focus on data analysis.</li><li>Versatility: Magnis System adapts to your samples requirements with SureSelect catalog and custom panel options supporting a range of NGS applications.</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Mary Buchanan (Director of Product Marketing - Genomics Division, Agilent Technologies)Mary is Director of product management at Agilent, covering the NGS automation, microarray and functional genomics portfolios.Presenter: Andrea Citterio (Molecular Biologist, IRCCS E.Medea)Andrea has a Masters degree in industrial biotechnology and postgraduate student in medical genetics.Presenter: Fabiana Mambretti (Molecular Biologist, IRCCS E.Medea)Fabiana has a Masters degree in industrial biotechnology and postgraduate student in medical genetics.Presenter: Elena Panzeri (Molecular Biologist, IRCCS E.Medea)Elena successfully gained a Master’s degree in medical biotechnology, a PhD in neuroscience and postgraduate student in medical genetics.</blockquote>

Agilent: Extend your NGS Capabilities with the Magnis NGS Prep System

Extend your NGS Capabilities with the Magnis NGS Prep System

Discover the latest NGS technologies ensuring that labs produce consistent, high-quality data, no matter the application or sample requirements.

Innovating for the future with cutting-edge solutionsGiven the speed and scale of progress with Artificial Intelligence (AI) in today’s world, researchers and professionals across various scientific fields from the Danaher group of companies have stepped up in the game of AI and advanced technology to seek breakthrough solutions to age-old problems.<h3>Agenda</h3><h5>Introduction to Danaher</h5><h5>3D biology and the paradigm shift in next generation drug discovery</h5><ul><li>Presented by Molecular Device</li></ul><h5>AIVIA - introduction to AI based image analysis</h5><ul><li>Presented by Leica Microsystems</li></ul><h5>Analytical advances in the characterization of mRNA</h5><ul><li>Presented by Phenomenex</li></ul><h5>Unlocking the power of data with IDBS</h5><ul><li>Presented by IDBS</li></ul><h5>The power of AI: from planning and the lab to success in life sciences</h5><ul><li>Presented by Abcam</li></ul><h5>Practical approaches to EV characterization and purification: leveraging nano Flow Cytometry and ultracentrifugation for clinical and commercial success</h5><ul><li>Presented by Beckman Coulter Life Sciences</li></ul><h5>AI-MS/MS-AI mass spectrometry application with AI</h5><ul><li>Presented by SCIEX</li></ul><h5>Work smarter, not harder: emerging lessons on data in biopharma R&amp;D</h5><ul><li>Presented by Genedata</li></ul><h5>In silico process development with mechanistic chromatography modelling</h5><ul><li>Presented by Cytiva</li></ul><h5>CRISPR meets NGS: the powerful duo for drug discovery</h5><ul><li>Presented by IDT</li></ul><h3>Presenter:</h3><ul><li>Gokhale, Aarti Arun, Ph.D (Sr Manager, Gene Reading, APAC, IDT)</li><li>Teo Chong Kok Ph.D (Scientific Account Manager, Genedata)</li><li>Edward Lim (General Manager, SEA, Beckman Coulter Life Sciences)</li><li>Taryn Guinan, Ph.D (Sr Applications Specialist, ANZ, Leica Microsystem)</li><li>Edward Wong, Ph.D (Sr Manager, Gene Writing &amp; Editing, APAC, IDT)</li><li>Stephan Waldert, Ph.D (Director, Data Science &amp; AI, Abcam)</li><li>Manish Manakchand (Commercial Director, Asia, IDBS)</li><li>Namrata Saxena (Technical Manager, Phenomenex)</li><li>Hans Lin (Field Application &amp; Market Development Specialist, SCIEX)</li><li>Mok Wei Chuan (Go Silico Sales Specialist, APAC, Cytiva)</li><li>Minho Tak, Ph.D (Sr Application Scientist, JAPAC, Molecular Device)</li></ul>

SCIEX: AI and technology advancements from Danaher

AI and technology advancements from Danaher

In this live webinar, let’s explore how Danaher group of companies leverage AI and technologies in providing advanced solutions.

The research team has published two papers on their results with a non-terminal cell line and is currently revising their comprehensive data. They developed a specialized workflow to map interactions between COSMIC, alternative proteins, and reference proteins. Using cross-linking in large-scale analyses and literature information from databases like STRING, they enriched their reference protein network. Additionally, they performed GO term analysis to understand the functional roles of alternative proteins.&nbsp;Their process involved creating a database with over 400,000 possible sequences, narrowing it down to 100,000 for more manageable analysis. They used various databases at different stages to ensure comprehensive interrogation. They successfully identified specific alternative proteins and their interactions with reference proteins, contributing to cell proliferation and other functions.&nbsp;To validate their findings, they used modeling techniques and crystallographic information from reference proteins. Despite some alternative proteins not matching known domains, cross-linking provided valuable insights. This innovative approach allowed them to identify and confirm the functions of alternative proteins, offering significant contributions to the understanding of protein interactions and cellular functions.&nbsp;Learning points:<ul><li id="isPasted">Workflow Development for Protein Interaction Mapping</li><li>Database Management and Analysis &nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Validation and Functional Analysis</li></ul>Who should attend:<ul><li>Researchers and professionals in the fields of proteomics, genomics, and cancer biology, specifically those who are focused on protein interactions, alternative protein functions, and the development of innovative workflows for mapping these interactions.</li><li>Bioinformaticians and molecular biologists interested in the implications of proteogenomics in disease mechanisms and biomarker discovery.</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Tristan Cardon (Univ. Lille, Inserm U1192 – Protéomique réponse inflammatoire spectrométrie de masse (PRISM))</blockquote>

Thermo Fisher Scientific: Revealing the ghost proteome and its partners in ovarian cancer cells through proteogenomic characterization.

Revealing the ghost proteome and its partners in ovarian cancer cells through proteogenomic characterization

This approach allowed identifying and confirming the functions of alternative proteins.