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

Agilent Technologies

Technology Networks

MAC-MOD ANALYTICAL

Evosep Biosystems

Waters Corporation

Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) and hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) separations are becoming more common for a variety of applications. We see HIC being a primary method being used for antibody-drug-conjugate (ADCs) analyses and equally suitable for the analysis of protein modifications. The ability to retain neutral and ionizable polar species makes HILIC particularly popular for drug development and metabolomics studies.
This webinar will help new HILIC and HIC chromatographers avoid the common mistakes of HILIC and HIC separations by identifying the important method parameters involved. We’ll discuss how the separation works, show detailed application examples, and provide tip and tricks for robust method development.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Mohit Patel (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Mohit Patel is part of the CSD Online AE Team. His primary focus is to support SMLC, Bio-Columns, and consumables.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Before joining Agilent, Mohit was an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Temple University. Mohit developed his passion for science through his experiences as a faculty researcher and a mentor. Mohit actively taught, developed curriculum, and served as senior personnel, with a leadership position, on funded grants, mentored research projects, and co-coordinator of STEAM related outreach services.
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Mohit has earned a Doctorate degree in Chemistry from Temple University in 2016.
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Agilent Technologies: Why Use HILIC or HIC Chromatography: Theory and Method Development Strategies

Why Use HILIC or HIC Chromatography: Theory and Method Development Strategies

This webinar will help new HILIC and HIC chromatographers avoid the common mistakes of HILIC and HIC separations.

HILIC or HIC: Theory and Method Development Strategies

In liquid chromatography, various detectors can be used. In this seminar we will take a closer look at UV, fluorescence, refractive index and ELSD detection.&nbsp;<blockquote>Presenter: Ansuman Mahato (Product Specialist Liquid Phase Separations, Agilent Technologies)Ansuman has been a Product Specialist at Agilent Technologies for 14 years, working with the pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, food, and chemicals industries. Based in Waldbronn, Germany, the manufacturing site for Agilent’s chromatography solutions, he helps make labs more efficient and compliant and has rich experience with techniques like HPLC, UHPLC, GPC/SEC, Prep LC, and 2D-LC.Ansuman is also skilled in polymer analysis using advanced tools like viscometry and MALS. He has published many papers in international journals and is a popular speaker for his practical insights and innovative solutions.</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: HPLC Beginner Webinar Series

HPLC Detectors

In liquid chromatography, various detectors can be used. In this seminar we will take a closer look at UV, fluorescence, refractive index and ELSD detection.

Nitrosamine Drug Substance-Related Impurities (NDSRI's) are a class of impurities that can form in drug substances and products. These impurities are of significant concern due to their potential carcinogenicity. Regulatory bodies, including the FDA, have established guidelines and acceptable intake limits to ensure the safety and efficacy of medications.NDSRI webinar series is a comprehensive three-part webinar series designed to provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of analytical methods and regulatory requirements. This series will cover critical topics that are essential for professionals in the field.Key learnings:<ul><li>Understanding Nitrosamine / NDSRI and their impact on drug safety.</li><li>Latest regulatory guidelines and requirements.</li><li>Navigating Nitrosamines with Agilent 21 CFR compliant mass Hunter Software.</li><li>A focus on components in chromatographic challenges, with examples of NDSRI methods.</li><li>Case studies and real-world applications.</li><li>Column and consumable selection and how it influences the analysis.</li><li>Best practice for method optimization, development, and automation.</li><li>and more</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Ms. Preeti Bharatiya (Application Engineer - LC-MS/MS, Agilent Technologies)As an Application Engineer for LC-MS/MS at Agilent India, she specializes in supporting Pharma workflows. With a background as a Pharmacist and an MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences from NIPER, she has significant experience in the pharmaceutical application area of LC-MS/MS. Her expertise lies in drug impurity analysis, specifically in Nitrosamines quantitation using UHPLC-Triple Quadrupole as a platform. She also has experience in the pre-clinical drug development phase, including pharmacokinetic and toxicokinetic studies, drug tissue distribution studies, and rapid-automated sample preparation for biological matrices.Presenter:&nbsp;Mr. Sunil B Lakhmapure (Technical Support Specialist, Agilent Technologies)Sunil holds 19 year plus experience in the analytical field with major exposure to LC/GC with Single Quad, Triple Quad and high resolution (QToF) mass spectroscopy. Started career in Pharma R&amp;D as a scientist with hands on experience on high end instruments like LC/MS, XRD &amp; NMR. Developed &amp; published application notes using Chromatographic techniques on real world samples/issues at various levels.Presenter:&nbsp;Mr. Ankush Sharma (Regional Marketing Program Manager- APAC (Pharma &amp; Biopharma), Agilent Technologies)Ankush Sharma is a seasoned professional with over 12 years of extensive experience in sales and marketing across the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sectors. His professional journey commenced with a strong educational foundation, earning a Master's degree in Biotechnology. Building upon this knowledge, he furthered his academic pursuits by obtaining a Master's in Business Administration with a specialization in Sales and Marketing, demonstrating his commitment to blending scientific understanding with strategic business acumen. For the past five years, he has been an integral part of Agilent, serving as the Regional Marketing Program Manager for the India and now Asia-Pacific (APAC) region for Pharma and Biopharma Markets.</blockquote>

Agilent: Nitrosamines & NDSRI's: Be sure with Agilent workflows

Nitrosamines & NDSRI's: Workflow readiness for Nitrosamines and NDSRI’s.

NDSRI webinar series is designed to provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of analytical methods and regulatory requirements.

Workflow readiness for Nitrosamines and NDSRI’s.

LC/MS has played a critical role in bringing new monoclonal antibody-based therapies to market, enabling comprehensive characterization. However, sample preparation continues to remain a bottleneck as it is both time consuming and can introduce variability in LC-MS studies.In this webinar, you will learn how you can leverage the Andrew+ Pipetting Robot to automate sample preparation prior to LC-MS studies of monoclonal antibodies.Examples discussed will include:<ul><li>Monoclonal antibody purification &nbsp;</li><li>Monitoring mAB oxidation at the subunit level &nbsp;</li><li>Glycan profiling</li></ul>By automating sample preparation prior to LC-MS studies, Scientists can focus on experimental design and data analysis while eliminating a major source of variability.<blockquote>Presenter: N. Dilip Padliya, PhD (Principal Product Marketing Manager, Laboratory Automation, Waters Corporation)N. Dilip Padliya recently joined the Laboratory Automation division of Waters, focused on automating sample preparation in LC-MS, Bioanalysis, Proteomics, Lipidomics, and Metabolomics. His prior work experience includes running a Proteomics research group at Celgene (now part of Bristol Myers Squibb). He has authored 7 peer reviewed publications and is a co-inventor on 10 patents.</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: Automated Sample Prep Prior to LC-MS Studies of Monoclonal Antibodies

Automated Sample Prep Prior to LC-MS Studies of Monoclonal Antibodies

How you can leverage the Andrew+ Pipetting Robot to automate sample preparation prior to LC-MS studies of monoclonal antibodies.

Automated Sample Prep Prior to LC-MS Studies

Missed Our Annual Informatics User Conference? We’ve got you covered!&nbsp;We’re hosting a live webinar to recap the hottest topics from the conference. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed and engaged with the latest in Waters informatics. The webinar will include a live Q&amp;A session with our panel of experts.<h5>AGENDA INCLUDES:</h5><h4>Reviewing Data and Audit Trails in Empower</h4>In this session, we will explore best practices and essential tools for reviewing data and audit trails in Empower. You’ll gain valuable insights to streamline your data review and ensure compliance.<h4>Elevate Empower with our latest Cloud Solutions</h4>In this session we’ll explore new cloud tools designed to elevate your Empower experience. Get a sneak peek at solutions that enhance data integrity, ensure compliance, and boost lab productivity. Whether you’re an administrator, end user, lab manager, or data scientist, you’ll learn about applications that can streamline your daily tasks and simplify your workflow.<h4>LIVE Q &amp; A</h4>Engage with our panel of experts and have your pressing questions addressed during the live Q &amp; A session.<blockquote>Presenter:&nbsp;Jason Loftus (Senior Informatics Sales Development Specialist, Waters Corporation)After getting his BS in Chemistry, Jason worked as a QC Chemist for a consumer products company in Massachusetts. In 1998, he joined Waters as a Field Service Engineer based in Boston, MA. In 2001, he left Waters to join a biopharma company in Colorado, but returned to Waters in 2004 as a Field Service Engineer covering the southwestern US. In 2010, he became the Service Manager for the Mountain Region covering most of the western US. In 2016, he joined the Informatics Sales Development team and currently covers the western US, western Canada, and the southeastern US.Presenter:&nbsp;Ron Eddy (Principal Informatics Sales Development Specialist, Waters Corporation)Ron has been with Waters Corporation since 2005 when he joined the company as an Empower Sales Specialist. He has since moved into his current role supporting the Informatics sales team for Empower and NuGenesis. Prior to joining Waters, Ron worked as an analytical chemist in the pharmaceutical industry supporting the registrational phase of drug development for seven years before transitioning to a laboratory informatics role where he managed and supported various laboratory computing systems including Millennium/Empower, NuGenesis, LIMS and ELNs.Presenter:&nbsp;Shelby Lorenz (Manager, Informatics Business Development, Waters Corporation)Shelby has more than 20 years of experience in the Life Science industry. She has worked for Waters for more than 20 years and has held a variety of positions all within the Informatics organization. In her current role, she manages the Informatics Business Development team in the Americas, which has technical presales responsibility for the enterprise informatics product line including Empower, NuGenesis LMS, and waters_connect network. Prior to Waters she was a Project Manager at Creon Lab Control supporting a host of informatics products including LIMS, ELN and SDMS. Shelby holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems.Presenter: Lissa Wang (Informatics Business Development Specialist, Waters Corporation)Lissa has been with Waters Corporation since 1998 when she started to be a Millennium/Empower Trainer in the Customer Education department. She has also been in different roles including Technical Service and Global Service and Support for Informatics. Currently, she is part of the Informatics Business Development team supporting the Informatics sales team for Empower and NuGenesis informatics portfolio. Prior to joining Waters, Lissa worked as an analytical chemist in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries for 8 years across the globe and the US.</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) - Empower Hot Topics from [inform] 2024

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) - Empower Hot Topics from [inform] 2024

Best practices and essential tools for reviewing data and audit trails in Empower.

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) - Empower Hot Topics

In this session, we explore how cutting-edge technology can detect the early signs of infectious disease with precision and speed. Early identification of disease markers can significantly enhance patient care by allowing for faster, more effective treatments.Learn how Evosep One’s robustness, sensitivity, and efficiency are helping laboratories and clinicians stay ahead of disease progression, providing key insights that lead to better health outcomes.Accurate and early detection of mycobacterial pathogens is critical for improving patient outcomes. We developed and validated multiple novel diagnostic methods. First, an immuno-affinity liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (ILM) assay that quantifies Mycobacterium tuberculosis CFP10 peptides and HIV-1 p24 in serum, showing high sensitivity and specificity in both adults and children. This method allows early detection of HIV and TB and monitors treatment responses effectively. The second approach involves an automated peptidomics pipeline that rapidly identifies mycobacterial species and subspecies from early growth cultures, including drug-resistant strains, significantly reducing diagnosis time compared to current clinical practices. These methods present significant advancements for managing the mycobacterial diseases.<blockquote>Presenter: PhD. Tony Hu (Center for Cellular &amp; Molecular Diagnostics, Tulane Cancer Center Translational Oncology Research Program Leader)Presenter:&nbsp;Aaron Scott (Infection Medicine (BMC) – Faculty of Medicine, Lund University)</blockquote>

Evosep: Tracking early signs of infectious disease with Evosep One to improve patient outcomes

Tracking early signs of infectious disease with Evosep One to improve patient outcomes

Learn how Evosep One’s robustness, sensitivity, and efficiency are helping laboratories and clinicians stay ahead of disease progression.

Tracking early signs of infectious disease with Evosep One

Clinical blood analysis is crucial for monitoring health and diagnosing diseases, with blood-based biomarkers playing a key role.However, current detection methods often lack sufficient coverage. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics provides a robust solution for in-depth plasma proteome analysis, but precise sample preparation is essential.This webinar will guide you on maximizing plasma proteome coverage and optimizing sample preparation, whether using plasma or serum. Dr. König and Dr. Wendt will discuss developing an optimized, automated workflow for comprehensive plasma biomarker discovery, showcasing results from two complementary techniques: LC-MS and Olink.<h4>Attend this webinar to:</h4><ul><li>Discover how to efficiently prepare blood-derived samples, including plasma and serum</li><li>Explore how to implement a fully automatable, reproducible and standardized plasma workflow with scalable throughput</li><li>Achieve comprehensive plasma proteome characterization, addressing the dynamic range challenge for deeper insights</li><li>Learn to apply LC-MS-based proteomics combined with affinity-based methods to discover novel disease biomarkers</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Dr. Ann-Christine König (Proteomics Core Facility Manager, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich) Presenter:&nbsp;Dr. Fabian Wendt (Product and Application Manager, Mass Spectrometry, Tecan)</blockquote>

Technology Networks: Unlocking the Plasma Proteome: Advanced Profiling and Biomarker Discovery

Unlocking the Plasma Proteome: Advanced Profiling and Biomarker Discovery

Maximizing plasma proteome coverage and optimizing sample preparation, whether using plasma or serum.

Unlocking the Plasma Proteome: Advanced Profiling

USP &lt;621&gt; is a crucial chapter in the USP guidelines, affecting around 5000 monographs. It emphasizes the importance of establishing meaningful system suitability criteria for chromatography procedures to ensure valid, compendial, and regulatory compliance. The latest version of USP &lt;621&gt;, effective from December 2022, provides detailed guidance on method adjustments and transfers, facilitating the modernization of existing USP monograph methods. The revisions also expand the scope for modifying gradient method parameters and allow the transition from totally porous silica-based analytical columns to superficially porous particle-based columns to better meet industry needs.<h5>Key Learnings:</h5><ul><li>Strategies for optimizing chromatographic performance using right HPLC system</li><li>Understand the latest updates in USP &lt;621&gt; and how they impact chromatographic practices</li><li>Techniques for enhancing laboratory productivity and reducing operational costs</li><li>Strategies to modernize chromatographic conditions with case-studies</li><li>Revised System suitability requirements and allowable chromatographic system adjustments</li><li>and more</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Dr. Manoj Kumar Singh (Senior Vice President, Microlabs Analytical Research Lab)Dr. Manoj K Singh hold over 30 yrs of professional experience of working with global pharma companies leading their Analytical labs to support different pharma work-flows.He holds a Ph.D. degree (Chemistry).He started his professional career in 1993 with Wockhardt and spent significant tenure at major pharma R&amp;Ds like Lupin, Novartis, Orchid, Dabur &amp; Sentiss Pharma.Currently he is associated with MicroLabs Bangalore as Senior Vice President (ADL) leading team of Analytical Chemistry scientists to support formulation development, Validations and method transfer.Presenter: Dr. Kuldeep Sharma (Sales Development Manager - Pharma, Agilent Technologies)Kuldeep Sharma has over 19 years of experience in area/s of Bioanalytical research, Drug metabolism &amp; pharmacokinetics and Pharma regulatory compliance. He has accomplished PhD in Biotechnology. His professional journey covers over 12 years in Analytical research (associated with R&amp;D’s of Zydus Cadila, Lambda, Pliva and Jubilant Biosys) and last 7 years in analytical instruments sales, marketing &amp; business development. With over 21 research articles published in international Journals, He presents convention of continues learning.</blockquote>

Agilent: Enhance Lab Productivity While Meeting Regulatory Requirements: USP 621 Decoded

USP 621 Decoded

Enhance Lab Productivity While Meeting Regulatory Requirements

This webinar is the first part in a three-part series called "A Systematic UHPLC / HPLC Method Development Strategy with Complementary Stationary Phases to Maximize Selectivity and Resolution." Each part is about 20min long.In this seminar, we review the importance of chromatographic selectivity in RPLC from a theoretical and practical perspective and how this relates to analyte resolution for method development. An overview of the method development workflow is discussed.<blockquote>Presenter: Gemma Lo (Portfolio Manager Avantor)</blockquote>

MAC-MOD ANALYTICAL: Understanding Chromatographic Selectivity

Understanding Chromatographic Selectivity

We review the importance of chromatographic selectivity in RPLC from a theoretical and practical perspective and how this relates to analyte resolution.

This session will provide a comprehensive introduction to the user interface, ensuring you can navigate with ease. Discover the various acquisition modes available and learn how to select the best one for your specific application.Additionally, we will explore the innovative Intelligent Reflex feature, highlighting its benefits in boosting your productivity.Whether you’re new to MassHunter or looking to refine your skills, this webinar is designed to enhance your understanding and efficiency.<blockquote>Presenter: 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>

Agilent Technologies: MassHunter Masterclass Months

MassHunter Acquisition Q-TOF Part I – Basic Overview

Join us for an insightful webinar where we delve into the essentials of MassHunter Acquisition Q-TOF. 