In this episode of ‪ChromatographyTalk‬, ‪Organomation‬ General Manager David Oliva sits down with Imad Haidar Ahmad, Scientific Research Director at Amgen leading separations for Discovery Chemistry and Externalization. Imad's career spans Novartis, Merck, and now Amgen, and his research on computer-assisted method development has landed multiple front covers in Analytical Chemistry.We dig into how his group builds retention models from as few as nine lab experiments to map an entire separation landscape — replacing weeks of trial and error with a resolution map you can query and rebuild from. Imad breaks down where this modeling approach struggles (large molecules, SFC, fully autonomous method development), walks through two-dimensional liquid chromatography in plain terms for anyone who's only worked in 1D, and shares the story behind his group's greenness-score mapping work — including where swapping acetonitrile for methanol worked, and where it didn't.We also talk career advice: what a typical day looks like leading a discovery-stage separations team, how undergrad and grad students can bridge the academia-to-industry gap, and what Imad sees as the field's biggest unsolved problem.<h3>Video Transcription</h3>Chromatographic method development is increasingly moving beyond trial and error toward workflows built on modeling, automation, multidimensional separations, and smarter use of data. In a recent interview, Haidar Ahmad discussed how these approaches are changing pharmaceutical analysis, why understanding the fundamentals of chromatography remains essential, and where some of the biggest opportunities in separation science still lie.Ahmad’s route into analytical chemistry was not entirely planned. As an undergraduate, he initially found inorganic and organic chemistry particularly attractive, but a final-year project focused on the analysis of additives in bread introduced him to the possibilities of analytical chemistry. During his PhD, his research moved into polymer analysis and structure–property relationships. His interest in chromatography deepened when he encountered two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC), particularly its ability to reveal forms of polymer heterogeneity that could not be adequately characterized using a single separation technique. This eventually led to postdoctoral work with Peter Carr, where Ahmad focused on chromatographic separations and the fundamentals of chromatography.His subsequent career in the pharmaceutical industry exposed him to different stages of drug development, from late-stage method development and validation to drug substance characterization, purification, and finally discovery-stage separations. That breadth of experience has shaped his view of chromatography as both a scientific discipline and a practical problem-solving tool. In late-stage development, the objective may be a highly robust method capable of successful validation and transfer between laboratories. In discovery, by contrast, speed becomes critical because teams may be working with thousands of molecules while trying to identify the best candidates to advance.&nbsp;<h4>Discovery-stage chromatography: speed, prioritization, and throughput</h4>For a separations team supporting drug discovery, the working day is shaped by a constant flow of requests from medicinal chemistry and other partner groups. The challenge is not simply to perform the analyses, but to decide which requests are most urgent, remove bottlenecks, communicate with project teams, and continuously improve existing workflows.According to Ahmad, one of the most important questions is whether a task can be done faster or in a more high-throughput way. Discovery laboratories operate under strong time pressure, and efficiency therefore becomes part of the scientific strategy rather than merely an operational concern. As he describes it, the work combines science, prioritization, leadership, and communication, all with the aim of moving the most important projects forward as quickly as possible.<h4>In silico modeling: letting the computer perform the experiments</h4>One of the central themes of Ahmad’s work is in silico chromatographic modeling. In practical terms, the approach begins with a carefully designed set of laboratory experiments—often around nine runs. The resulting data are fed into software that builds retention models describing how analyte retention changes with variables such as mobile-phase composition and temperature.The software can then generate a resolution map representing a much larger separation space than could realistically be tested experimentally. Instead of running dozens or hundreds of conditions by trial and error, the analyst can identify regions where critical peak pairs are predicted to achieve the best separation.For Ahmad, the value of these maps goes beyond simply finding the condition with the highest resolution. Each point on the map represents a chromatographic condition, while the visual output shows where poor and strong separations are expected. A broad region of good resolution is particularly useful because it points toward a more robust operating space rather than a narrowly defined optimum that might be sensitive to small variations in experimental conditions.He therefore prefers to think of a chromatographic model as a map or database, rather than simply an optimization tool. If an impurity later disappears from the process, the corresponding peak can be removed from the model and new conditions selected without repeating the complete experimental study. Conversely, if a new degradation product appears during stability studies, the peak can be added and the existing model used to search for updated separation conditions.<h4>Why trial and error still has a place</h4>Modeling does not mean that conventional trial-and-error method development has disappeared. Ahmad points out that it remains useful in early discovery, particularly for fit-for-purpose methods where speed is more important than achieving a fully optimized separation.The situation changes later in development. A method intended for validation, transfer, or long-term routine use carries much greater risk. Trial and error may identify a condition that appears satisfactory without revealing whether it represents the most robust region of the separation space. If that method later fails during transfer or routine operation, the consequences can be costly.For late-stage methods, the additional investment required to build a model can therefore reduce risk over the much longer lifetime of the analytical procedure.<h4>Models are only as good as the experiments behind them</h4>Chromatographic modeling is not automatic proof against poor method development. Ahmad compares the technology to a GPS: it is highly useful, but only if the analyst understands where they are trying to go.Careful experimental design remains essential. Incorrect dwell-volume or column-volume information, as well as insufficient column re-equilibration, can produce misleading predictions. Importantly, these problems may not be obvious when the experimental runs used to construct the model are compared with their calculated values. They may emerge only when the software begins predicting new conditions within the modeled design space.Modeling is also easier for some separations than others. Ahmad describes reversed-phase LC of small molecules as comparatively straightforward, while large biomolecules are more challenging because their retention can be highly sensitive to small changes in mobile-phase composition and temperature.Other separation modes present additional difficulties. Ahmad notes that his teams have found supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) particularly challenging to model successfully. Fully autonomous method development remains another unresolved goal: current tools can automate parts of optimization, but analyst input is still required.<h4>Why two dimensions can reveal what one dimension cannot</h4>Ahmad’s early interest in 2D-LC came from polymer characterization. He explains the principle simply: one-dimensional chromatography may answer one question about a sample, while two complementary dimensions can answer two.Two copolymers, for example, may have similar molecular size and therefore coelute in size-exclusion chromatography. A second separation mechanism based on interaction with a stationary phase may distinguish them according to chemical composition. Combining both dimensions provides a more complete description of complex distributions involving molecular weight, composition, sequence, and other forms of heterogeneity.Historically, the complexity of both instrumentation and software limited wider adoption of 2D-LC. Ahmad recalls systems requiring several computers and multiple software packages. That situation has improved substantially, and 2D-LC is now easier to implement across research and pharmaceutical development.Nevertheless, modeling multidimensional separations still presents challenges. While models can be built for individual fractions or dimensions, current software does not easily identify a common optimum across multiple models simultaneously. Much of this comparison still requires manual work.<h4>Bringing sustainability into method development</h4>Another area where Ahmad sees room for change is green analytical chemistry.Traditional pharmaceutical method development has understandably prioritized resolution, sensitivity, robustness, and turnaround time. Sustainability has often been treated as a secondary consideration, particularly at the analytical scale, where solvent use appears small compared with preparative chromatography or manufacturing.That mindset is beginning to change. Ahmad argues that greenness metrics should increasingly be incorporated directly into method-development software. If analysts could immediately see how changes in flow rate, gradient conditions, solvent choice, or other parameters affect the environmental profile of a method, sustainability could become part of routine optimization rather than an assessment performed after the method has already been developed.The objective, however, is not to pursue the greenest possible method regardless of analytical performance. Ahmad emphasizes the need to develop methods that are as green as possible while remaining fit for purpose. Modeling can potentially help balance these competing requirements by identifying conditions that preserve separation performance while allowing greener solvents or alternative chromatographic conditions to be introduced.<h4>Advice for young chromatographers: do not treat HPLC as a black box</h4>For students learning chromatography, Ahmad’s central recommendation is straightforward: do not treat the HPLC system as a black box.Rather than collecting chromatograms by making random changes, he encourages analysts to build a mental model of the separation. When temperature, gradient, or another parameter is changed, they should ask why retention or selectivity changed and use each experiment to improve their understanding of the system.He also recommends making use of educational resources on chromatographic fundamentals and method development and, importantly, not being afraid to experiment with instrument conditions. Modern systems are robust, but the analyst still needs to understand the underlying separation science in order to use them effectively.The same proactive attitude applies to career development. Ahmad strongly encourages students to seek industry internships and make connections beyond their own institutions. Conferences and poster sessions can provide natural opportunities to meet scientists from industry, discuss research, and ask about internship opportunities. Based on his own experience working with undergraduate and graduate interns, these collaborations can benefit both students and research teams and may strongly influence later academic or career decisions.<h4>What still needs to be solved?</h4>Asked about the biggest unresolved challenges in separation science, Ahmad does not begin with technology. Instead, he points to a shortage of well-trained analytical chemists with a strong understanding of chromatographic fundamentals.Alongside education, he identifies several technical opportunities. One is truly autonomous method development, where an instrument and software could optimize a separation without continuous analyst input. Another is the ability to predict chromatographic selectivity directly from molecular structure.Such capability could be especially valuable in high-throughput discovery environments. If a laboratory could predict which stationary phase and conditions were most likely to separate a particular set of compounds or isomers before entering the laboratory, method development could become considerably faster and more efficient.Taken together, Ahmad’s perspective points toward a future in which chromatography becomes increasingly model-driven, automated, multidimensional, and sustainability-aware. But the technology does not eliminate the need for chromatographic knowledge. On the contrary, as analytical tools become more powerful, understanding the fundamentals may become even more important—the software can explore the separation space, but the scientist still needs to know what question to ask and how to interpret the answer.<blockquote>This text has been automatically transcribed from a video presentation using AI technology. It may contain inaccuracies and is not guaranteed to be 100% correct.</blockquote><blockquote><h4>Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast</h4>Dive into the frontiers of chromatography, mass spectrometry, and sample preparation with host David Oliva. Each episode features candid conversations with leading researchers, industry innovators, and passionate scientists who are shaping the future of analytical chemistry. From decoding PFAS detection challenges to exploring the latest in AI-assisted liquid chromatography, this show uncovers practical workflows, sustainability breakthroughs, and the real-world impact of separation science. Whether you’re a chromatographer, lab professional, or researcher you'll discover inspiring content!You can find Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast in podcast apps:<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1wZg67rCjoGju4yhqxI3tL">Spotify</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/tz/podcast/concentrating-on-chromatography/id1788429185">Apple podcast</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podscan.fm/podcasts/concentrating-on-chromatography">podscan</a></li></ul>and on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/@ChromatographyTalk/videos">YouTube channel</a></blockquote>

 In Silico Modeling, 2D-LC & Green Chromatography: Imad Ahmad on the Future of Method Development

Proper care and maintenance of HPLC columns are essential for getting accurate results and saving on replacement costs. Extending the HPLC column life not only ensures consistent performance but also reduces downtime and the need for frequent replacements.Routine maintenance is equally essential for sustaining column functionality. Correct handling of the column is paramount, ensuring strict compliance with the manufacturer’s specifications regarding pressure, pH, flow rate, and temperature.In the next section, we will explore these best practices in greater detail, offering further guidance on essential HPLC column maintenance strategies. Whether you’re working in a high-throughput lab, or conducting occasional analyses, these strategies will help you get the most out of your <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products?category=48&amp;manufacturerItems=50">HPLC columns</a>.<h3>Essential Guidelines for Extending HPLC Column Life</h3>By adopting these simple yet effective practices, you can greatly extend the HPLC column life while ensuring reliable, high-quality results in your analyses.<h4>Proper Column Handling</h4>HPLC columns should be handled with care to prevent physical damage or shock. The pump should not be started at high flow rates; instead, the flow rate should be gradually increased over several minutes. A pump pressure limit should be set to protect the column from over pressuring, as sudden pressure changes can lead to voids, negatively affecting the column’s performance.<h4>HPLC Column Conditioning and Equilibration</h4>Conditioning is a critical step for preparing a new or stored HPLC column by replacing the storage solvent with the desired mobile phase. Care must be taken to avoid introducing immiscible solvent mixtures into the column. Universally miscible solvents such as THF (tetrahydrofuran) or IPA (isopropyl alcohol) can be useful for this process when moving from normal phase to reversed phase solvent systems. Care must also be taken to ensure that solvents that may be damaging to a specific stationary phase are avoided.For example, if a reversed-phase column experiences phase collapse due to 100% aqueous mobile phases, it should be reactivated. This process involves running 100% acetonitrile at a high flow rate and a temperature as high as 60°C. It is essential to ensure no solid buffers precipitate from residual solvents. Depending on the column condition, between 50 and 100 column volumes are needed for complete reactivation and equilibration, restoring the column’s efficiency for future use.<h4>Optimizing Operating Conditions</h4>Optimizing operating conditions is paramount to enhancing HPLC column efficiency and prolonging their operational lifespan. A fundamental aspect of this is strict adherence to the manufacturer’s recommended temperature, pH and pressure parameters.Deviating from these limits, particularly by operating at elevated temperatures, can significantly hasten the degradation of the stationary phase and hardware, thereby compromising overall performance. Elevated temperatures can also narrow the pH operating range, exacerbating the risk of column degradation through phenomena such as peak broadening or diminished efficiency.Effective pressure management is equally crucial. Sudden pressure surges or mechanical shocks can result in bed voiding, leading to poor chromatographic performance, such as split peaks and reduced separation efficiency. Gradual ramping of flow and pressure, implemented each time the column is initiated, mitigates these risks. Many modern HPLC systems are equipped with automated flow-pressure ramping capabilities, ensuring smoother transitions and reducing the potential for column damage.In addition, vigilant monitoring of the mobile phase's pH is vital to the maintenance of HPLC column integrity. Deviations from the optimal pH range can cause significant harm to the stationary phase. For instance, leads to ligand hydrolysis which leads to a loss of stationary phase functionality and diminished column performance over time. High pH can lead to silica degradation. This weakens the silica structure, causing particle dissolution, void formation, and loss of column efficiency. Maintaining the pH within optimal boundaries is essential for preserving the column’s structural integrity and ensuring consistent chromatographic performance.Furthermore, incorporating inline filters and guard columns into the system serves as a proactive measure to prevent particulates and harsh sample matrices from damaging the analytical column. These preventive tools significantly enhance operational conditions and safeguard the column from contamination, ultimately contributing to extended HPLC column lifetime and reliable performance.<h4>Regular Column Maintenance</h4>Effective routine maintenance is paramount to extending the HPLC column lifetime and ensuring the consistent performance of HPLC columns. A critical aspect of this maintenance is the thorough washing of the column after each use to eliminate residual sample components and mobile phase contaminants.The cleaning process generally involves performing an isocratic or gradient wash using a solvent system similar to the one previously used on the column but substituting the buffer with HPLC-grade water. This helps effectively remove any residual buffer components from the column. This meticulous cleaning process is vital to preventing the accumulation of impurities that could compromise the stationary phase and lead to decreased efficiency over time.Post-cleaning, it is imperative to end-cap the column before storage to prevent the stationary phase from drying out, a condition that can negatively impact the column’s future performance. Proper capping or sealing ensures that the column remains in optimal condition, safeguarding its structural integrity and readiness for subsequent analyses.Additionally, utilizing an older HPLC system as a dedicated wash station can further streamline maintenance practices, freeing up live systems for active use. Consistently adhering to a rigorous cleaning and storage regimen not only enhances the longevity of HPLC columns but also guarantees the delivery of precise and reliable analytical results.For severe contamination or pressure buildup, backflushing may be necessary to dislodge tightly bound contaminants. However, backflushing should only be performed when absolutely necessary, as it can stress the column packing material. It is essential to consult the manufacturer’s instructions before attempting this method.

How to Extend the Lifetime of HPLC Columns?

Researchers from CATRIN at Palacký University, together with colleagues from VSB – Technical University of Ostrava and Charles University, have developed a new graphene ink for producing inexpensive and sensitive printed sensors. Using single-atom engineering, they incorporated copper atoms into the material, enabling highly sensitive detection of dopamine – a neurotransmitter responsible for transmitting signals between nerve cells. The approach, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.76796">presented in the journal Advanced Science</a>, has strong potential for use in medical diagnostics.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CATRIN_Atom_po_atomu_Vedci_ukazali_novy_smer_v_lekarske_diagnostice_8a02ad6a66.webp" alt="CATRIN: Atom by atom. Scientists reveal a new direction in medical diagnostics" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CATRIN_Atom_po_atomu_Vedci_ukazali_novy_smer_v_lekarske_diagnostice_8a02ad6a66.webp 117w," sizes="100vw" width="1920" height="2560">Single-atom engineering makes it possible to control the chemical reactivity of materials at the level of individual atoms. Its broader application in medical diagnostics has so far been limited by a lack of atomically engineered materials and printable inks based on them. Researchers have now developed a new class of single-atom-doped graphene materials as well as an ink for producing sensitive printed sensors. Copper proved particularly effective for dopamine detection, which is important for biomedical research and the development of advanced diagnostic technologies for diseases including Alzheimer’s disease.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CATRIN_Atom_po_atomu_Vedci_ukazali_novy_smer_v_lekarske_diagnostice_2_97e419f039.webp" alt="CATRIN: Atom by atom. Scientists reveal a new direction in medical diagnostics" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CATRIN_Atom_po_atomu_Vedci_ukazali_novy_smer_v_lekarske_diagnostice_2_97e419f039.webp 117w," sizes="100vw" width="1920" height="2560">“The NGA-Cu ink we developed enables the production of fully inkjet-printed, sustainable paper-based electrodes at very low cost. Each sensor requires only 1.3 micrograms of active ink, costs approximately one Czech koruna and provided a stable response for at least three months. The ink is also fully compatible with commonly available materials inkjet printers. This creates significant potential for producing affordable, digitally designed sensors whose function can be tailored atom by atom,” said&nbsp;the corresponding author of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.76796">paper</a> Michal Otyepka.The basis for this new generation of single-atom inks was nitrogen-doped graphene acid (NGA), which CATRIN researchers developed several years ago. They have now progressively enriched it with different individual metal atoms, including copper, iron and manganese.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CATRIN_Atom_po_atomu_Vedci_ukazali_novy_smer_v_lekarske_diagnostice_3_c15d831792.webp" alt="CATRIN: Atom by atom. Scientists reveal a new direction in medical diagnostics" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CATRIN_Atom_po_atomu_Vedci_ukazali_novy_smer_v_lekarske_diagnostice_3_c15d831792.webp 117w," sizes="100vw" width="1920" height="2560">“We found that the electrochemical response depends fundamentally on the type of atom used. While copper atoms significantly enhance the dopamine signal, other metals suppress it. What matters, therefore, is not only the presence of isolated metal atoms but also the specific metal involved. This is a very important finding for the further development of biosensors,” explained first author Martin-Alex Nalepa.The published results introduce a new class of sensing materials with considerable potential for medical diagnostics. The researchers present a broadly applicable platform for developing graphene inks containing individual metal atoms and open the way towards scalable, reproducible and material-efficient production of advanced electrochemical sensors.&nbsp;“We are only at the beginning and are fascinated by the new possibilities opening up before us. We can see that by changing the type of atom, we can control the sensitivity and selectivity of the sensor. In addition to dopamine, we can also determine immunoglobulins very precisely – antibodies whose levels and types may serve as important indicators of autoimmune or infectious diseases,” emphasised Radek Zbořil, a co-author of the paper.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CATRIN_Atom_po_atomu_Vedci_ukazali_novy_smer_v_lekarske_diagnostice_4_273cd760a5.webp" alt="CATRIN: Atom by atom. Scientists reveal a new direction in medical diagnostics" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CATRIN_Atom_po_atomu_Vedci_ukazali_novy_smer_v_lekarske_diagnostice_4_273cd760a5.webp 117w," sizes="100vw" width="1920" height="2560">Electrochemical biosensors can find applications not only in medicine but also in food quality control, drinking-water monitoring and environmental pollution monitoring. Their key components are functionalised electrodes, and graphene-based materials have proved particularly suitable for their production. A key factor in the success of the Olomouc researchers was the targeted preparation of graphene ink with the required properties.The research was supported by the TECHSCALE project under the Johannes Amos Comenius Programme.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CATRIN_Atom_po_atomu_Vedci_ukazali_novy_smer_v_lekarske_diagnostice_5_b1778f77f2.jpg" alt="CATRIN: Atom by atom. Scientists reveal a new direction in medical diagnostics: Project TECHSCALE (No. CZ.02.01.01/00/22_008/0004587) is financed by the MEYS OP JAC Excellent research programme, supported by ERDF/ESF." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CATRIN_Atom_po_atomu_Vedci_ukazali_novy_smer_v_lekarske_diagnostice_5_b1778f77f2.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="620" height="87"><blockquote><h4>Article</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.76796">Single-Atom-Enhanced Fully Inkjet-Printed Electrochemical Sensor for Dopamine Detection</a></h4>Martin-Alex Nalepa, David Panáček, Vítězslav Hrubý, Matěj Jendřišák, Rostislav Langer, Michal Langer, Petr Jakubec, Ivan Dědek, Vojtěch Kupka, Michal Mazur, Radek Zbořil, Michal OtyepkaAdv. Sci., 2026, e76796<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.76796">https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.76796</a><h6>licenced under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC-BY 4.0</a></h6></blockquote><h4>Abstract</h4>Single-atom (SA) engineering offers atomic-level control over interfacial reactivity, yet the lack of printable SA-based inks hinders its practical translation into electrochemical sensing. Here, a fully water-based inkjet-printable ink is introduced based on nitrogen-doped graphene acid (NGA) hosting atomically dispersed Cu centers (NGA-Cu-ink). The ink enables digitally controlled, spatially defined deposition and fabrication of low-cost ($0.04 per sensor), fully inkjet-printed sustainable electrodes on paper. A comparison of NGA functionalized with different SA dopants (Cu, Mn, Fe, Ce) identifies a strong dopant-dependent electrochemical response, with Cu uniquely enhancing the analyte signal while other dopants suppress it, demonstrating that SA identity is a decisive design parameter in printed sensing interfaces profiling sensitivity and selectivity. The functional role of the NGA support is to provide dense anchoring sites (nitrogen and carboxylate groups) that stabilize atomically dispersed metal centers and create adsorption- and electron-transfer–active microenvironments. The NGA-Cu-ink yields enhanced dopamine oxidation, enabling quantitative detection on fully printed devices (limit of detection 9.7 µM; linear range 50–400 µM) and printed-on-electrode platforms (10.6 µM), while maintaining &lt;10% signal variation over 11 weeks. The approach establishes a general route to single-atom graphene-based inks for scalable, reproducible, and low-material-consumption manufacturing of advanced electrochemical sensors.

Atom by atom. Scientists reveal a new direction in medical diagnostics

Article

Academy

Scientists

Interview

Science and research

Video

The Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute (CATRIN) at Palacký University is a cutting-edge scientific hub dedicated to advancing research in the fields of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and biomedicine. At its core, CATRIN boasts outstanding scientific teams, featuring international researchers. We emphasize interdisciplinarity, foster global collaborations, and work to translate our research findings into practical applications.

CATRIN

Phenomenex is a global technology leader committed to developing novel analytical chemistry solutions that solve the separation and purification challenges of researchers in industrial, government and academic laboratories.

Phenomenex

Organomation, founded in 1959, designs and manufactures high-quality nitrogen evaporators and extraction systems. Known for innovation and durability, their lab instruments are used globally for efficient sample preparation with strong customer support.

Organomation

New Food magazine

Agilent Technologies

Technology Networks

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Waters Corporation

You ran your HPLC and sample yesterday. Everything looked as expected. Today, the chromatography looks different, so it must be the column, correct? Not so fast. We can be quick to assume that the problem with our chromatography is with the HPLC column, but often there is another reason why the chromatography has changed.
In this seminar, we will discuss practical steps to identify the source of the problem and troubleshoot common issues. Considerations from sample preparation, mobile phase preparation, the column, to the HPLC system itself will be discussed.
Having an understanding for where problems can occur helps us quickly identify the problem, correct it, and prevent it from happening again.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Jean Lane (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
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>

It Isn’t Always the Column: Troubleshooting Your HPLC Separation

We will discuss practical steps to identify the source of the problem and troubleshoot common issues.

It Isn’t the Column: Troubleshooting Your HPLC Separation

TBD
<blockquote>
Presenter: Mark Sartain, Ph.D. (LC/MS Applications Scientist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Mark has developed a diverse array of targeted and nontargeted mass-spectrometry based metabolomics and lipidomics applications since joining Agilent in 2012, with a focus on complete hardware/software workflows. Mark began utilizing mass spectrometry in his graduate work to characterize glycoproteins, and later established a novel LC/MS strategy to comprehensively profile and identify complex lipids of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in his postdoctoral fellowship at Colorado State University. He continued designing a wide range of MS-based techniques to measure metabolites and lipids for diverse projects as a Research Scientist at the Institute of Systems Biology (Seattle, WA) prior to joining Agilent.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Elucidating Cellular Metabolism with a Full Suite of Next-Generation Omics Tools

Elucidating Cellular Metabolism with a Full Suite of Next-Generation Omics Tools

Cellular Metabolism with a Next-Generation Omics Tools

Purification is critical to many scientific workflows. Compounds of interest are rarely found to be the right purity in their native state. Join Waters and Virscidian for this 6-part webinar series to learn the basics of purification and application of purification principles for more advanced workflows.
<h3>PART 5 | Request to Results: Automating Purification Decisions</h3>
High quality purification software demands superior data processing, efficient handling of information and metadata, and trustworthy results. Is all this really possible in such a complex, multi-stage workflow? Tune in to learn about Virscidian’s capabilities and ways to bring more value to your lab. 
Learning Objectives: 
<ul>
<li>Ways to reduce the cycle time from crude reaction to purified product</li>
<li>How Virscidian is tackling complex challenges in purification</li>
<li>How decisions made manually in your laboratory today can be automated</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Mark Spears, Ph.D. (Senior Scientist, Virscidian)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Mark Spears is a Senior Scientist at Virscidian and is passionate about making each customer’s research a success story. In addition to supporting purification, he leads the HTE and affinity selection mass spec teams at the company. Mark has developed expertise across research disciplines and brings a breadth of experience from the laboratory and industry vendors.
</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: Request to Results: Automating Purification Decisions

Request to Results: Automating Purification Decisions

Learn about Virscidian’s capabilities and ways to bring more value to your lab.

The biopharma industry has used capillary electrophoresis for many years to help improve the quality of biopharmaceuticals. Traditionally, scientists have utilized single capillaries or chips in these systems, requiring samples to be run in series.
However, a new multi-capillary system was recently launched, enabling scientists to parallel process eight samples simultaneously providing a positive impact in the development of cell and gene therapies and therapeutic proteins.
In this webinar, you will:
<ul>
<li>Uncover how this system achieves CE-SDS separations of the same quality as traditional systems</li>
<li>Gain an understanding of how the system designers have prioritized ease of use</li>
<li>Discover how this system offers N-glycan analysis and charge variant detection</li>
<li>Explore how this novel approach is accelerating the development of cell and gene therapy and vaccine products</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr. Stephen Lock (Senior Market Development Manager, Biopharma, SCIEX)
</blockquote>

Technology Networks: Empower Your Protein and Gene Therapy Development With Multi-Capillary Electrophoresis

Empower Your Protein and Gene Therapy Development With Multi-Capillary Electrophoresis

The biopharma industry has used capillary electrophoresis for many years to help improve the quality of biopharmaceuticals.

Protein and Gene Therapy Development With CE-SDS

Are strong solvent effects after QuEChERS a challenge in your LC or LC/MS analysis? Agilent Feed Injection offers a solution. Learn more about this technology and application examples from food safety in this webinar.
In recent years, QuEChERS has greatly simplified sample preparation in food safety analysis. However, downstream of QuEChERS, a strong solvent sample can cause strong solvent effects in LC and LC/MS analysis, leading to peak breakthrough and poor peak shapes, especially as the injection volume increases.
Agilent Feed Injection offers a solution to this challenge. The technique mediates the strong solvent effects by infusing the sample into the mobile phase stream. This allows you to achieve perfect peak shapes and easy peak integration without the need for additional sample preparation.
Join this webinar for a comprehensive introduction to Agilent Feed Injection from Dr. Juan Liang-Schenkelberg, Product Manager, and Dr. Edgar Naegele, Application Scientist, from Agilent. The presentation will be complemented by application examples from the field of food safety analysis.
Learning points:
<ul>
<li>Learn about common challenges in LC and LC/MS analysis following QuEChERS.
</li>
<li>Learn about Agilent Feed Injection technology and how it helps overcome these challenges.
</li>
<li>Discuss application examples from the field of food safety analysis with our expert speakers.
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr. Juan Liang-Schenkelberg (Strategic Product Manager at Agilent Technologies)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Juan Liang-Schenkelberg holds a PhD in biochemical engineering from the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) in Germany. Juan joined Agilent Technologies in 2016 as Product Manager of analytical HPLC. She is currently responsible for high-end UHPLC systems and for the food segment.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr. Edgar Naegele (Application Scientist at Agilent Technologies)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Edgar Naegele holds a PhD in organic chemistry from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Germany. Edgar joined Agilent Technologies in 2001 as an Application Scientist for LC and MS. Edgar is currently focused on the application of online LC and the new Agilent 1260 Infinity II Hybrid Multisampler in the pharmaceutical and food industries.
</blockquote>

Less work, better peaks

Are strong solvent effects after QuEChERS a challenge in your LC or LC/MS analysis? Agilent Feed Injection offers a solution.

EPA Draft Method 1621 represents a shift in thinking in how we screen for PFAS and other fluorinated compounds in the environment, giving a better picture of the full scope of contamination. The method uses combustion ion chromatography (CIC) to determine adsorbable organic fluorine (AOF) in water samples, a non-targeted sum parameter defined by the method itself.
In this webinar, Amelia Paolantonio, from Enthalpy Analytical, will show attendees how she was able to successfully implement this method in her lab. Webinar participants will gain valuable insights into best practices for the method and things to watch out for, such as the importance of cleanliness. Dr. Jay Gandhi, from Metrohm USA, will discuss how to execute a total solution for your fluorine analysis to help you comply with Draft Method 1621. 
Key Learning Objectives:
<ul>
<li>Learn about EPA Draft Method 1621 and its requirements
</li>
<li>Find out the challenges of executing this method and the strategies to overcome them
</li>
<li>Learn how to implement a total solution for complying with the method
</li>
</ul>
Who Should Attend:
<ul>
<li>Environmental lab technicians, analysts, lab managers, and lab directors
</li>
<li>Those interested in learning about new monitoring technologies for PFAS and fluorinated compounds
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Amelia Paolantonio (Senior Scientist, Enthalpy Analytical)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr. Jay Gandhi (Vertical Markets Manager, Metrohm USA)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Catherine Dold (Health &amp; Environment Writer, C&amp;EN Media Group)
</blockquote>

C&EN: The Changing PFAS Landscape: Insights Into EPA Draft Method 1621

The Changing PFAS Landscape: Insights Into EPA Draft Method 1621

EPA Draft Method 1621 represents a shift in thinking in how we screen for PFAS and other fluorinated compounds in the environment

Insights Into EPA Draft Method 1621

Xylazine is a non-opioid sedative, analgesic and muscle relaxant which is used in veterinary medicine and not approved for human use.
Recently there has been an increase in the number of reports of Xylazine being abused in combination with other drugs of abuse, specifically fentanyl. 
Moreover, criminal drug networks are mass-producing fake pills and falsely marketing them as prescription pills. 
It is important to be able to accurately screen these materials for commonly abused and emerging drugs and confirm the identity of the materials found. 
<ul>
<li>The first part of the webinar will describe two different techniques that can be used for screening and confirmatory analysis of a counterfeit M-30 pill; one using direct ionization MS, and the other using high resolution ToF.
</li>
<li>The second portion of the webinar will describe an alternative comprehensive confirmatory method using triple quadruple mass spectrometry to quantify each compound found in the pill.
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Emily Lee (Application Scientist, Forensics, Research &amp; Development, Waters Corporation)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Emily Lee is an Application Scientist at Waters Corporation. Emily is part of a global team dedicated to the development of applications and analytical solutions for Forensics and Toxicology. Emily has gained experience in the use of various Waters mass spectrometry technologies for the analysis of forensic and toxicologically relevant analytes. Prior to working at Waters, Emily has experience working in forensic toxicology laboratories, with high sample turnover and fast turnaround times. Emily was involved in many aspects of day-to-day laboratory operations including sample extraction, analysis, method development and validation, analytical troubleshooting, and reporting. Emily also gained a MSc in Forensic Science (Toxicology) at the University of Huddersfield.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Jane A. Cooper (Principal Application Scientist, Forensics, Research &amp; Development, Waters Corporation)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Principal Application Scientist in the Forensic Toxicology section at Waters Corporation, experienced in the generation of technical marketing material to support Waters Field Marketing and Sales activities. Involved in both the preparation and delivery of presentation, illustrating developed applications using Waters technologies at seminars and conferences. Experienced in the use of Waters chromatographic and mass spectrometry technologies, associated data handling, and reporting software.
</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: Xylazine Emergence: Screening and Confirmation of an Extract from a Counterfeit M-30 Pill

Xylazine Emergence: Screening and Confirmation of an Extract from a Counterfeit M-30 Pill

Two different techniques that can be used for screening and confirmatory analysis of a counterfeit M-30 pill.

Xylazine Emergence: Screening and Confirmation of an Extract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are the subject of significant regulatory action around the world. PFOA and PFOS are both set to be designated as a hazardous substances and needs analytical testing’s for identification and quantitation in food, water and environment. For the purpose of developing and improving the testing of the PFAS for a wide range of monitoring and improved data quality in different matrices.
This Agilent PFAS Seminar brings basics of PFAS, regulatory overview, agilent solutions and support to establish and improve PFAS testing facility for wide scale monitoring and improved data quality in different matrices.
<ul>
<li>Regulatory Overview</li>
<li>Infrastructure requirement for critical and highly sensitive analysis (Instruments)</li>
<li>Consumables needed for reliable results (Columns &amp; Consumables)</li>
<li>Agilent Expertise and LC-TQ based workflow solutions</li>
<li>Developing and accreditation of routine and regulatory PFAS methods</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr. Ramaprasad Ganni (Technical Support Specialist, Agilent Technologies)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
He has 21 years of experience in the field of Chromatography and Column chemistries. Worked for Elsevier GmbH; Germany, and Millipore India Pvt, Ltd. Presently working with Agilent technologies; India, since 2008 in Chemistries and Supplies division. Responsible for Workflow solutions development, providing technical support, and trainings for various industries of Food, Pharma, Petroleum, Bio-technology. Experienced in developing applications, LC and GC column chemistries and technologies, Sample preparation techniques, method developments and troubleshooting the problems of various chromatography technologies such as LC, GC, Mass Spectrometry, GPC/SEC, and Preparative LC.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr. Prasanth Joseph (Application Engineer - LC/MS, Agilent Technologies)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Prasanth joined in Agilent in 2015 as application Engineer for LC-MS/MS and has 19 years of experience in the analytical instrumentation industry, specializes in small molecule applications.Prasanth received his PhD in Environmental Science from Bharathiar University, India. He also has master’s degree in business administration from the University of Buckingham, UK. Prasanth developed many analytical methods in LC-MS/MS to quantify genotoxic impurities in drug substance and products, analysis of extractables and leachables in pharma and food packaging &amp; medical devices and Bioavailability and Bioequivalence (BA/BE) studies in clinical trials. He provided guidance in developing LC-MS workflows for impurity profiling of pharmaceuticals and metabolite identification (MetID) and quantification as a part of ADME/DMPK related studies.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: PFAs Analysis - No more a challenge

PFAs Analysis - No more a challenge

This Agilent PFAS Seminar brings basics of PFAS, regulatory overview, agilent solutions and support to establish and improve PFAS testing facility.

MOSH and MOAH refer to Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons and Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons. These mineral oils are hydrocarbon mixtures containing hundreds of chemical compounds of various sizes and structural configurations which are mainly derived from crude oil. Also, they are derived from liquefaction of coal, natural gas, and biomass.
MOAH are hydrocarbons majorly consisting of highly alkylated mono- and/or poly-aromatic rings. These compounds can be found everywhere in the environment, whereas MOSH are paraffin-like, open chained, commonly branched hydrocarbons (e.g., alkanes) and naphthene-like cyclic hydrocarbons (cycloalkanes).
The analysis of such contaminants in food is a challenging task and requires a comprehensive approach to tackle the cumbersome issues related to their determination. Additionally, their toxicity is still under investigation and requires further studies supported by more detailed analytical data.
In this live webinar in association with Gulf Bio Analytical LLC (GBA), you will learn:
1. Basics of MOSH/MOAH Analysis
2. Tackling challenges of MOSH/MOAH Analysis
3. Hyphenated chromatographic techniques as powerful tools to gain deeper insights into the MOSH and MOAH problem
Who should attend: Lab chemists, scientists, R&amp;D chemists, lab managers, technical assistants, food chemists
Why you should attend: To learn and mitigate challenges of MOSH/MOAH analysis through unique technologies
Hurry, register today.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Sajit Parameshwaran (Product Manager, Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry, Gulf Bio Analytical LLC (GBA))
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Sajit Parameshwaran is currently working as a Product manager, Chromatography &amp; Mass Spectrometry in the Gulf Bioanalytical group, located in Dubai. He has completed his Masters in Analytical chemistry from Mumbai university. Prior to joining Gulf Bioanalytical, he worked as an application specialist &amp; HPLC trainer at Agilent Technologies India Pvt. Ltd. He has more than 20 years of experience in the analytical instrumentation industry. In the current organization, he has been instrumental in delivering application training and method setup on chromatography and mass spectrometry instruments related to food testing, forensics, petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. In his current role, he is responsible to provide the right instrument solutions based on customer’s application requirements. He is actively involved in delivering talks in various webinars &amp; seminars on new product technologies and applications catering to applied markets.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Let's Talk MOSH/MOAH Analysis

Let's Talk MOSH/MOAH Analysis

Basics of MOSH/MOAH Analysis. Tackling challenges of MOSH/MOAH Analysis. Hyphenated chromatographic techniques.

This webinar will provide a detailed understanding of new revisions to allowed adjustments for USP and Ph. Eur. HPLC methods through the use of case studies.
<ul>
<li>Intro: Review revisions to allowed adjustments for USP and Ph. Eur.</li>
<li>Isocratic Case Study: Adjustments to column length and ID, particle size, and flow rate</li>
<li>Gradient Case Study: Adjustments to column length and ID, particle size, flow rate, and gradient timetable</li>
</ul>
Key Learning Points:
<ul>
<li>Review of recent revision to allowed adjustments for USP and Ph. Eur. HPLC methods</li>
<li>Utilize a case study to highlight the approach for making adjustments to an isocratic method and the resulting benefits</li>
<li>Understand the benefits of working within the allowed adjustments for improving the performance of compendial HPLC methods (isocratic and gradient) in your laboratory</li>
</ul>
Who Should Attend:
Scientists and analysts in the pharmaceutical industry who work with Pharmacopeia HPLC methods that are interested in:
<ul>
<li>Improving performance</li>
<li>Reducing analysis time</li>
<li>Understanding allowable adjustment application examples</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Phil Koerner (Global Pharmaceutical Market Development Manager, Phenomenex)
</blockquote>

Phenomenex: Allowed Adjustments to Pharmacopeia HPLC Methods

Allowed Adjustments to Pharmacopeia HPLC Methods

This webinar will provide a detailed understanding of new revisions to allowed adjustments for USP and Ph. Eur. HPLC methods through the use of case studies.