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

Separation Science

Agilent Technologies

Shimadzu Corporation

Waters Corporation

Plasmion

Quality by design (QbD) in the development of drug formulations is laid down as a requirement in the ICH Q8 guideline to assure product quality, reduce cost, and provide better regulatory oversight. QbD is not a new topic in the method development of dissolution testing, but it may be a new topic for you.
We want to provide you with an overview of how this area has evolved and especially what the authorities expect from your dissolution method development. Following this approach may also require a change in mindset and the style of working in your laboratory. Join us for a lively meeting and discussion of this topic.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Karen Krauel-Göllner, PhD (Product Manager Dissolution, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Karen Krauel-Göllner is a registered pharmacist and holds a PhD in Pharmacy from the University of Otago, New Zealand. Karen has worked in various roles in the field of pharmaceutical development. For the last 10 years she has been working with Agilent Technologies and currently holds a position as product manager for dissolution systems.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Ken Boda (Dissolution Product Specialist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Ken joined Varian (now Agilent) in 2005 as an applications engineer and is now a dissolution product specialist. Prior to working at Agilent, he worked in pharma specializing in dissolution testing and method development. As a dissolution product specialist, Ken works with customers in determining the best systems for their needs and optimizing their workflows. He has also helped educate customers on dissolution science through webinars, the Dissolution Discussion Group, LinkedIn, and other channels.
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Presenter: Bryan Crist (President, DissoAssist Consulting, Wilmington, NC, USA)
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Bryan has been the president of DissoAssist consulting based in Wilmington, NC, USA since 2021. He provides consulting, coaching, and training services for dissolution and drug release in the pharmaceutical industry. Bryan is also an active member on various USP Expert Committees.
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Previously, Bryan was a scientific affairs manager with Agilent Technologies located in Cary, North Carolina, USA. From 1997 to 2021, he focused on providing method and technical application support for dissolution and drug release testing in the pharmaceutical industry as well as working with VanKel, Varian, and eventually Agilent. Prior to 1997, Bryan supervised and managed pharmaceutical laboratories and performed analytical testing with Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck, AAI, and Abbott Laboratories until he joined the dissolution equipment manufacturer VanKel.
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Presenter: Vivian Gray (Founder VA Gray Consulting; Managing Director of Dissolution Technologies)
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Vivian has spent the last 40+ years involved in all aspects of dissolution testing and evaluating new dissolution technology. At the United States Pharmacopeia, she enjoyed a long career serving first as a bench chemist, supervisor, and lastly as a liaison to various expert USP committees. In 1997, Vivian joined the DuPont-Merck Pharmaceuticals Company Analytical Research and Development Section as the head of the Dissolution Group. In 2002, she formed her own consulting business, V. A. Gray Consulting, Inc., in dissolution testing and related areas. In June 2003, she became managing director of Dissolution Technologies, a peer-reviewed journal dealing specifically with dissolution testing issues.
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Agilent: Dissolution Method Development Guidance Using QbD

Dissolution Method Development Guidance Using QbD

An overview of how Quality by design (QbD) has evolved and especially what the authorities expect from your dissolution method development.

Dissolution testing measures the extent and rate of solution formation from a drug dosage form, such as tablet, capsule, or ointment. Understanding the dissolution of a drug allows us to learn about bioavailability and therapeutic effectiveness. In this webinar, Naiffer Romero from the USP will highlight recent changes and benefits on the general chapter &lt;711&gt; related the Dissolution Performance Verification Standard. Then Ben Calvopina from Sotax will share the results of a study demonstrating the automation of the dissolution testing process with samples requiring a UV finish or a HPLC finish.Key Learning Objectives<ul><li id="isPasted">Learn about the benefits of the new standard on Dissolution Performance Verification</li><li>Explore the implementation and benefits of automation in dissolution testing</li><li>Discover on-line dissolution workflows with HPLC</li></ul>Who should attendScientists involved with dissolution testing<blockquote>Presenter: Naiffer Romero, MSc, MPH (Principal Scientist - Scientific Affairs, US Pharmacopeia)Naiffer has more than 20 years of pharmaceutical industry experience. In his 13+ years tenure with USP, he has served several roles: Lead scientist in the dosage form performance laboratory, reference standard development team, Manager in charge of LATAM Compendial engagement and education, responsible for stakeholders and national regulatory bodies engagement. Naiffer is also a certified USP Education instructor. Most recently, Naiffer joined USP's Scientific Affairs performance cell, where he leads scientific outreach and engagement for LATAM &amp; U.S. on key national health priority topics. His combined pharmaceutical expertise includes Analytical Development, salt and polymorph selection, Development of dissolution methods, IVIVC modeling, and impurity analytical strategy. Naiffer also serves as a member of USP's Nitrosamine Steering Committee and community host to 'Nitrosamine Exchange,' a knowledge community in All-things Nitrosamine. Naiffer also liaises technical discussion on pharmacopeial collaboration, including international meetings of World Pharmacopeias (part of WHO).Presenter: Ben Calvopina (Application Scientist and Dissolution Product Leader, SOTAX Corporation)Ben is an Application Scientist and Product Leader for Dissolution at SOTAX's Westborough, MA facility. After receiving his degree in Physics from Marquette University, Ben taught Physics, Chemistry, and Computer Science at the Milwaukee School of the Arts. He joined SOTAX, where he's been for the last six years as the lead Service Engineer for some of the largest automated pharmaceutical laboratories in the Americas, leading all installation, qualification, and user training programs. He now resides in Massachusetts and works at SOTAX North American HQ in Westborough. He is responsible for all dissolution products and regularly conducts studies for SOTAX cGMP Pharma Services branch, including method development and validation of automated procedures. Ben actively participates in the USP collaborative study on the Dissolution Performance Verification Standard and is a participant in the AAPS IVRDT Leadership Team Meetings.<div><div>Panelist: Chantel Lee (Product Marketing Manager, Small Molecule Core Solutions – QAQC, Waters Corporation)</div></div><div>Chantel is a Principal Product Marketing Manager at Waters Corporation, where she manages marketing strategies and initiatives for HPLC products. She brings over ten years of experience in analytical chemistry, specializing in chromatography and Empower software and supporting customers from pharmaceutical, food, and chemical industries. Since joining Waters in 2017, Chantel has progressed through roles in technical support, business development, and marketing. She holds an MBA from Boston University along with an MSc in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Alberta, Canada.Moderated by: Isabelle Vu Trieu (Pharmaceutical Market Development Manager, Americas, Waters Corporation)Isabelle is a business development professional dedicated to delivering benefits to analytical scientists in the life sciences industry. With over 20 years of experience in providing chromatography and mass spectrometry solutions, Isabelle is particularly interested in helping pharmaceutical scientists achieve the data quality and integrity needed to drive decisions for drug quality, safety and efficacy. Isabelle joined Waters in 2009 and currently manages the development of the pharmaceutical market in the Americas. She holds Masters’ degrees in Chemistry from Columbia University and the University Claude Bernard in Lyon, France as well as a Chemical Engineering degree from Ecole Supérieure de Chimie Physique Electronique in Lyon, France.</div></blockquote>

Waters Corporation: Solving Problems That Matter - a Waters webinar series featuring USP speakers.

Performance Verification Testing in Dissolution

Solving Problems That Matter - a Waters webinar series featuring USP speakers. Episode 10: Performance Verification Testing in Dissolution

Multi-angle light scattering (MALS), a technique that calculates molecular weight and size through the measurement of light scattered across many angles, is a powerful tool that has become ubiquitous in recent years. What was once a niche detector in the polymer world has rapidly become a useful detector in many emerging fields of interest.In this webinar, we will investigate the main uses of MALS including molecular weight determination, aggregation screening, molecular size, and shape. We will further relate these structure-property relationships back to bulk material behaviour and CQAs within the materials and pharma/biopharma spaces. We will also show the new 1260 MALS detector from Agilent and examine some use cases that we have seen with some of our academic and industrial collaborators to showcase the wide variety of MALS applications and configurations and highlight the benefits such a detector can add to macromolecular research.By attending this webinar, you will:<ul><li>Review the fundamentals of light scattering</li><li>Learn what information MALS can provide about your material</li></ul>What you need to know:Date: 21 November, 2024Start times:Broadcast #1: 21 November- 10 am GMT (London) / 11 am CET (Paris/Berlin) / 3:30 pm IST (New Delhi) / 6 pm SGT (Singapore)Broadcast #2: 21 November- 10 am PST (Los Angeles) / 12 pm CST (Chicago) / 1 pm EST (New York)Duration: Approximately 60 minutes<blockquote>Presenter: Steve Rosa (GPC/SEC Product Specialist, Agilent Technologies)Steve received a BS from UMass Amherst in 2016. After graduating, he worked in the Polymer Science and Engineering department at UMass with a focus on the synthesis of zwitterionic small molecules for use in interlayers as well as halogen-free flame-retardant polymers. Steve joined PSS in 2019 as a Technical Support &amp; Application Specialist and has been in his current role at Agilent as a GPC/SEC Product Specialist since 2022. Steve currently supports the whole Agilent GPC/SEC portfolio covering everything from instrumentation to software.Presenter: Lorena Lopez (Application Scientist, Agilent Technologies)Lorena Lopez is an LC Application Scientist with Agilent Technologies and is currently based out of the Agilent facilities in Lexington, Massachusetts. She has been with Agilent for almost 10 years, tightly involved within liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, and dissolution instrumentation. She also spent several years in life sciences research developing both analytical LC and biopharma workflows, areas where she has been focusing for the last couple of years within her current role.</blockquote>

Separation Science - Applicability of MALS Detection in Understanding Novel Macromolecules and their Structure-Property Relations

Applicability of MALS Detection in Understanding Novel Macromolecules and their Structure-Property Relations

Explore the main uses of MALS including molecular weight determination, aggregation screening, molecular size, and shape. 

MALS Detection in Understanding Novel Macromolecules SPR

Metabolic Profiling through Direct Breath Analysis:We demonstrate an easy extension of conventional capabilities for the SICRIT® ionization source, coupled to a high-resolution MS instrument, through a metabolomic-based breath analysis and how groups of target masses can be isolated and analyzed for potential biomarker identification. Additionally, we can see the sensitivity and broad ionization capabilities of the source through a comparison of different subjects, where the subtle differences in everyone’s metabolic profile is given by the spectral distribution of metabolite density.Metabolomic CSI: HRMS Lipidomic Profiling of Fingerprints using TD-SICRIT®-MS and Bioinformatics PipelineWe demonstrate the capabilities of the TD-SICRIT®-MS and how they can be utilized in the world of metabolomics and lipidomics, with the full potential of such a study being realized through the combination of chemistry and computation.Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your understanding of SICRIT® technology and its applications!

Plasmion: Exploring Metabolomics With SICRIT®

Exploring Metabolomics With SICRIT®

Explore the diverse application possibilities of SICRIT® ionization source in the field of metabolomics.

Data helps power the analytical laboratory. However, converting vast amounts of data into actionable decisions and confidence in business critical operations is extremely challenging.Existing solutions require custom system integrations that are expensive and difficult to maintain. Join us as we launch our newest cloud software solution, waters_connect Data Intelligence, specifically developed to help overcome these challenges by proving near-real time, in depth dashboards and powerful purpose-built analytics on your Empower&nbsp;Software data, helping you to:<ul><li>Improve productivity</li><li>Reduce risk</li><li>Save money</li><li>Accelerate time-to-market</li></ul>Be confidently audit ready, access deeper insights, and improve your laboratory operations.<blockquote>Presenter: Jonathan Scott (Director of Product Management, Connected Science, Waters Corporation)Prior to joining Waters in 2012, Jonathan worked in the regulated bioanalytical space focusing on developing and validating small and large molecule LC-MS methods. While at Waters, Jonathan has held multiple roles within product management including a focus on mass detection and biopharmaceutical software.Presenter:&nbsp;Ben Dearnaley (Principal Product Owner, Connected Science, Waters Corporation)Ben has worked at Waters for 17 years, and 14 years in Pharma prior to that. His area of interest as both a customer and at Waters has been on how to leverage Empower meta-data into analytics and business intelligence which helps Empower stakeholders understand better how their laboratories are working, such as understanding system and resource utilization, laboratory workflows and potential data integrity issues. Ben was a key individual involved with EDS365 and is now working as a Cloud Product Owner with a focus on bringing Empower analytics into the Cloud.</blockquote>

Waters: Level-up your Empower data with in-depth dashboards and powerful custom data analytics

Level-up your Empower data with in-depth dashboards and powerful custom data analytics

In-depth dashboards and powerful custom data analytics

Level-up your Empower

With the need for risk assessment and testing plans looming on the horizon, join us to learn about the challenges of low-level nitrosamine detection for both LCMS and GCMS applications.We will explore the pressing questions of coming regulation, including guidance on NDSRIs, the differing use cases of the 4 Procedures of USP &lt;1469&gt; and how Shimadzu can be your partner in creating solutions to meet these requirements.As you prepare for the August 1, 2025 deadline, whether your needs will be nitrosamine discovery with LCMS-QTOF or high-sensitivity QC monitoring with headspace GC-MS/MS, Shimadzu has the hardware and applications to help you succeed.We will host a Q&amp;A session after the presentation to address any questions or comments.<blockquote>Presenter: Brian Domanski (Strategic Collaboration Scientist, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments)Brian has over 10 years working to provide LC and SFC solutions for Pharma, as well as experience with a wide range of chromatography techniques including RP, NP, HILIC, IEX, SEC/GPC, and IC. His focus also includes scalable Informatics and Data Integrity solutions.</blockquote>

Shimadzu: Are you Nitrosamine Ready? Solutions for Nitrosamine Analysis

Are you Nitrosamine Ready? Solutions for Nitrosamine Analysis

Join us to learn about the challenges of low-level nitrosamine detection for both LCMS and GCMS applications.

Solutions for Nitrosamine Analysis by LCMS and GCMS

Choosing the appropriate column for your polymer analysis can be a challenge. Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) and Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) are separation techniques often used for polymers to determine the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. &nbsp;Whether working with organic or aqueous mobile phase conditions, there are numerous factors and criteria to consider beyond the MW range when selecting the ideal GPC or SEC column.These include:<ul><li>individual pore, MIXED, and multiporous packing features and benefits</li><li>particle and pore size considerations&nbsp;</li><li>column chemistries and polymer sample types</li></ul> Additionally, we will cover best practices for selecting solvents, choosing calibration standards, and for using columns together in series. Application examples will be given. With a diverse range of column options available, we will demonstrate how to maximize performance through your GPC/SEC column selection<blockquote>Presenter: Jean Lane (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)Jean has been employed with Agilent since Nov 2010 in technical and applications support and has a primary role supporting Agilent’s full line of LC columns and consumables, which also includes support for Agilent’s GPC/SEC product line. She came to Agilent thru acquisition of Varian and the former Polymer Laboratories. Jean has 20 plus years of technical and applications support for both HPLC and GPC consumable products. In addition to practical chromatography experience in the laboratory, she has had many, many years in her technical role involving customer support providing assistance and troubleshooting for customer chromatography issues.</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Becoming a Better Chromatographer - Educational Webinar Series

Optimize Your Polymer Analysis by Selecting the Ideal GPC/SEC Column

GPC & SEC are separation techniques often used for polymers to determine the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution.

Polymer Analysis by Selecting the Ideal GPC/SEC Column

This presentation provides an overview of a study comparing mouse models to human data, focusing on pre-symptomatic stages to analyze the prefrontal cortex. The TDP-43D3 mice, which can live up to 120 weeks, and the more aggressive C9R72 mouse model were used.The study identified sex-specific differences in both mice and humans. Proteomics analysis detected an average of 2,344 proteins per sample, revealing significant deregulations similar to those found in transcriptomics. Common pathways, such as the MAPK pathway, were consistently observed across various analyses, from transcriptomics to proteomics. The study employed a biologically motivated approach to identify valid interactors and validated findings in the lab using mouse models.Phosphoproteomics and quadruplets analysis further identified important candidates like sequestosome, linked to autophagy. Synaptic and cytoskeletal dysfunctions were noted in both mouse and human samples. Cell type deconvolution based on transcriptomics data was also performed. The results consistently highlighted the MAPK pathway and synaptic compartments, guiding future validation steps. The findings have been recently published for further reference.<h5>Learning points:</h5><ul><li id="isPasted">Pre-symptomatic Analysis in ALS Research&nbsp;</li><li>Sex-specific Differences and Pathway Consistency &nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Validation and Functional Implications &nbsp;</li></ul><h5>Who should attend:</h5><ul><li>Neuroscientists and Researchers: Those focused on ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases would gain insights into early disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.&nbsp;</li><li>Pharmaceutical and Biotech Companies: Entities involved in drug development for neurodegenerative diseases might benefit from the identified pathways and molecular targets, aiding in the development of new therapies.&nbsp;</li></ul><div dir=""><div><div>Presenter: Dr. rer. nat. Lucas Caldi Gomes (Lingor Lab, Department of Neurology, TUM)</div></div></div>

Thermo Fisher Scientific: Multiomic profile integration reveals early disease signatures of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Multiomic profile integration reveals early disease signatures of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

This presentation provides an overview of a study comparing mouse models to human data, focusing on pre-symptomatic stages to analyze the prefrontal cortex.

Multiomic profile integration reveals early disease

The complete Solution for Food Analysis: Presented by Retsch, CEM, Shimadzu and EltraAccurate and rapid food analysis is becoming increasingly important as regulations become stricter and consumers become more demanding. This expert day on food analysis will give you a comprehensive overview of the optimal steps from sample preparation to analysis, familiarize you with modern methods and bring you up to date.Registration is free of charge and without obligation.<div><h3>Reproducible sample preparation for food analysis&nbsp;</h3>Food occurs in different consistencies and is often inhomogeneous. For meaningful analysis, food laboratories require representative samples, which makes homogenization necessary as part of sample preparation.Ideally, this step should involve as little work as possible. The prepared subsample must represent both the laboratory sample and the initial sample. This would not be the case with an inhomogeneous sample, as some components of the initial sample could be over- or under-represented.</div><h5>In this webinar you will learn more about:</h5><ul><li>Homogenization, standard deviation, correct analysis values</li><li>How do I find the optimal method for my sample</li><li>Cryogenic grinding (dry ice, liquid nitrogen)</li><li>Suitable laboratory mills for homogenizing foodstuffs</li><li>Live demos of selected mills</li><li>Application examples</li><li>Grain size determination using sieve analysis</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Dr. Tanja Butt, Dr. Lena Weigold and Dr. Gerhard Beckers</blockquote>This webinar is part of a series of four webinars (Retsch, CEM, Shimadzu, Eltra). Please register for the time slot of each company which fits best. Americas should select the second time slot, Asia the first. Each presentation by the different companies requires an own registration. Here you can select the time slot for Retsch. For the other companies you need to visit the landingpage.

Reproducible sample preparation for food analysis

For meaningful analysis, food laboratories require representative samples, which makes homogenization necessary as part of sample preparation.

The complete Solution for Food Analysis: Presented by Retsch, CEM, Shimadzu and EltraAccurate and rapid food analysis is becoming increasingly important as regulations become stricter and consumers become more demanding. This expert day on food analysis will give you a comprehensive overview of the optimal steps from sample preparation to analysis, familiarize you with modern methods and bring you up to date.Registration is free of charge and without obligation.<div><div><div><div><div><h3>Heavy metals and pesticides in highly processed&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</h3>In the third part of the webinar series the focus is on analytics. Each step of food processing presents a source of contamination, which is why highly processed foods (ultra-processed foods (UPF)) should be viewed critically.Heavy metals are analyzed using ICP-MS and pesticides using GCMS/MS and SFC-LCMS/MS. You have the opportunity to get in touch with device experts and discuss your questions.</div></div>In this webinar, you will learn more about:<ul><li>How to measure pesticides in difficult samples using LC-MS/MS and SFC-MS/MS</li><li>Determination of pesticides in food samples using GC-MS/MS with hydrogen as carrier gas</li><li>Challenges and solutions for heavy metal analysis</li><li>How much heavy metals are lurking in trend food products?</li></ul>Presenters: Uwe Oppermann, Stéphane Moreau, Waldemar Weber and Johannes Hesper</div></div></div>

Heavy metals and pesticides in highly processed

Heavy metals are analyzed using ICP-MS and pesticides using GCMS/MS and SFC-LCMS/MS. 