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

BÜCHI

Agilent Technologies

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Waters Corporation

In preparative HPLC method development, our goal is the separation and isolation of a valuable compound. Throughput, yield, and purity of the compound are the important parameters for preparative HPLC.
In this webinar, we will discuss the process of scaling up from an analytical to a preparative HPLC method. We will also look at column considerations to increase sample throughput using superficially porous particles in preparative LC columns to drive speed and efficiency.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Mark Powell (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Mark Powell is an Applications Engineer located at Agilent’s Little Falls site in Wilmington, DE. Before joining Agilent in 2011, Mark worked in the pharmaceutical industry synthesizing, purifying and analyzing drug candidates. He provides applications assistance and technical support for Agilent’s HPLC columns and consumables.
</blockquote>

Scale Up with Confidence: Column Selection for Preparative HPLC

In this webinar, we will discuss the process of scaling up from an analytical to a preparative HPLC method.

Scale Up: Column Selection for Preparative HPLC

Many labs are faced with an ever-increasing sample load, while instrumentation and resources remain at a steady level. As a consequence, instrument throughput and uptime are critical factors to maintain competitiveness and productivity.
Learn how you can meet these challenges with the newest innovations in triple quadrupole LC/MS and quadrupole time-of-flight LC/MS from Agilent. With these new LC/MS systems, high performance and data quality are matched with ease of use via intuitive and unified interfaces, allowing users to easily switch between instrument types with minimal effort. Learn how instrument intelligence features such as AI-based tuning, instrument telemetry (early maintenance feedback), and Intelligent Reflex for automated secondary injection logic help users maximize instrument capability for increased lab efficiency. Examples of complete workflows demonstrating performance, robustness, and throughput for food safety screening applications are shown with LC/Q-TOF, while targeted multi-omics applications will be shown on LC/TQ.
Key learning objectives:
<ul>
<li>Gaining time-saving efficiencies and meeting future challenges with instrument intelligence</li>
<li>Implementing end-to-end workflows of LC/TQ in targeted omics and LC/Q-TOF in food safety to produce meaningful results</li>
<li>Advancing capabilities with a complementary solution for omics workflows to analyze your most complex samples</li>
</ul>
Who should attend:
<ul>
<li>Lab managers</li>
<li>Principle investigators</li>
<li>Senior scientists</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Christian Klein, PhD (Product Manager LC/Q-TOF, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
With an education in chemistry, Chris Klein received his PhD in 2005 at the Max-Planck-Institute for Biochemistry in Martinsried, Germany, working on membrane proteins and mass spectrometry. After postdoctoral research and three years as a demo chemist and product specialist with Bruker Daltonics, Chris joined the Agilent LC/Q-TOF research and development team in 2010. Since 2018, he has been the LC/Q-TOF and IM-QTOF product manager.
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<blockquote>
Presenter: Patrick Batoon (Product Manager LC/TQ, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
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<blockquote>
Patrick is the full-scope product manager of Agilent triple quadrupole LC/MS portfolio, overseeing product development and commercialization. He was formerly an R&amp;D chemist within the LC/MS quadrupole group and has a background in ion chemistry and fundamental mass spectrometry.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Ian Edwards (LC/TQ Product Manager, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Ian holds a Ph.D. from the Centre for Proteome Research at the University of Liverpool.He has spent time as a pre- and post-sales MS applications specialist focused on MS imaging and proteomics, as a field marketing manager for -omics, and as a global pharmaceutical marketing manager. Ian joined Agilent recently as LC/TQ Product Manager.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Revealing the New Intelligent LC/MS Solutions from Agilent

Revealing the New Intelligent LC/MS Solutions from Agilent

Learn how you can meet actual challenges with the newest innovations in triple quadrupole LC/MS and quadrupole time-of-flight LC/MS from Agilent.

Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) is a well-established method for studying the genomic localization of DNA-associated proteins. ChIP-seq is widely used to study DNA-associated proteins such as histone modifications, chromatin regulators, and transcription factors. While ChIP-seq is highly useful, the overall experimental workflow involves multiple steps that increase the risk of introducing inconsistency within experiments and between groups. Recently, we developed a single-pot ChIP-seq with on-bead library preparation. This protocol enables generation of sequencing libraries from low cell numbers and also reduces the costs (~$60 per sample, including Illumina library preparation), enabling to scale up the number of conditions. (Texari et al., STARS Protocols, 2021).
Here, we automated this single-pot ChIP-seq protocol end-to-end using the Agilent Bravo. Our automated process is scalable - conducting between 8-96 ChIP-seq reactions . We benchmarked the automated protocol by performing manual ChIP-seq reactions in parallel and demonstrated a high reproducibility and nearly indistinguishable signal-to-noise ratio between manual and automated workflows. As a proof of principle, we used our automated ChIP-seq protocol to evaluate multiple parameters and identify optimal conditions, including shearing and crosslinking conditions, buffer compositions, and antibody ratios. Our automated ChIP-seq protocol will be publicly available and will include specific deck setups as well as software files and parameters. Lastly, we envision that our robust protocol can advance research by enabling core facilities to provide ChIP-seq as a service and can potentially be incorporated into compound screening and diagnostic frameworks.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Alon Goren, PhD (Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego)
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Systematic Evaluation of ChIP-seq Conditions with Automation

Systematic Evaluation of ChIP-seq Conditions with Automation

Here, we automated this single-pot ChIP-seq protocol end-to-end using the  Agilent Bravo.

Traditional laboratory analysis of the immunosuppressant drugs cyclosporine, everolimus, sirolimus and tacrolimus is well-established in clinical research. However there remains a need for individuals to undergo an invasive, time-consuming and disruptive process under the supervision of trained staff in order to collect a sufficient volume of whole blood for laboratory analysis.
A reliable, remote sampling method may find utility in a clinical research setting. Here we describe the use of Capitainer® B Devices to obtain analytically sensitive, precise and accurate data for cyclosporine, everolimus, sirolimus and tacrolimus analysis using small sample volumes.
Using Capitainer® B devices and very sample small volumes (30 µL of whole blood resulting in a 10 µL dried blood spot), an in-house laboratory method was used on a LC-MS/MS system to meet validation goals for analytical sensitivity, linearity, precision and accuracy for cyclosporine, everolimus, sirolimus and tacrolimus. Furthermore, the advantages conferred by microsampling, notably removing the requirement for travel and a venous blood draw and facilitating home sampling, render this technique applicable to clinical research. 
For Research Use Only. Not for Use in Diagnostic Procedures.
Learning objectives: 
<ul>
<li>Discover how the Xevo TQ Absolute can be used to achieve sufficient analytical sensitivity for a microsampling application</li>
<li>Learn how to achieve fast sample throughput (~2 minute injection-to-injection), minimising time to first result</li>
<li>Explore how MassTrak Immunosuppressant Calibrator and QC Sets can be included in the workflow</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Stephen Balloch (Senior Scientist, Clinical Scientific Operations, Waters Corporation)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Stephen Balloch graduated from the University of York (UK) with a Masters degree in Chemistry which included a strong focus on analytical chemistry and a year in industry, in which he gained experience in a range of analytical techniques.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
His first permanent post was at Charles River Laboratories, a GLP compliant contract research laboratory in Edinburgh, in which he progressed to the role of Study Director and gained further exposure to LC-MS and LC-MS/MS instrumentation, including Waters instruments.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Since 2010, he has been part of the clinical team in the Scientific Operations group in Waters (Wilmslow, UK). His principal focus has been on the development and validation of bioanalytical methods according to CLSI guidelines, with a focus on therapeutic drug monitoring. Additionally, he has supported newborn screening, steroid and vitamin analysis.
</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: Remote Sampling Analysis of Immunosuppressant Drugs with LC-MS/MS

Remote Sampling Analysis of Immunosuppressant Drugs with LC-MS/MS

We will describe the use of Capitainer® B Devices Discover and Xevo TQ Absolute to achieve sufficient analytical sensitivity for a microsampling application.

Remote Sampling of Immunosuppressant Drugs with LC-MS/MS

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 I | Basics of High Performance Liquid Chromatography Purification</h3>
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is a common and effective technique to isolate a compound(s) of interest from a mixture. In this module, we will discuss factors involved in HPLC purification and scale up considerations.
Learning Objectives: 
<ul>
<li>Understand how to use HPLC purification</li>
<li>Make informed decisions on separation modes</li>
<li>Understand impact of decisions made during purification on larger workflow</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Darcy Shave (Senior Product Manager, Waters Corporation)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Darcy Shave is currently aprincipalproduct manager in the Integrated Systems group atWaters Corporation (Milford, MA, USA), responsible for the purification and hardwareautomation products. Darcy has been with Waters for over 20 years, starting as anapplications chemist in the purification group. From there, he moved into a variety ofbusiness development roles before becoming a product manager for purification softwareabout 10 years ago and more recently for the entire purification portfolio.​
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
​He has a degree in Agricultural Chemistry from the University of Saskatchewan and workedin value added processing of natural products before joining Waters.
</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: Basics of High Performance Liquid Chromatography Purification

Basics of High Performance Liquid Chromatography Purification

We will discuss factors involved in HPLC purification and scale up considerations.

Basics High Performance Liquid Chromatography Purification

Ever wished certain tasks could be automated? Everything can be done with just a few clicks these days, right? Surely the same applies to chromatography.
On the 6th of June, we are introducing the ideal instrument to help you take the first steps into the world of automated flash chromatography.
Be the first to find out just how simple chromatography can be.

BUCHI: Product Launch: Pure Essential Chromatography

Product Launch: Pure Essential Chromatography

On the 6th of June, we are introducing the ideal instrument to help you take the first steps into the world of automated flash chromatography.

In Europe, pesticide testing laboratories adhere to the SANTE/ 11312/2021 Guideline. This Guideline ensures a consistent approach controlling the Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) legally permitted in food or animal feed. Due to the huge number of pesticides of concern, the analysis can be very elaborate, often requiring multiple analytical approaches and laboratory intensive workflows, resulting in high operating costs and slow turn-around times.
In this presentation we describe a comprehensive verified triple quadrupole LC/MS/MS workflow for the simultaneous quantitation of 764 pesticides in tomato adhering to the to SANTE 11312/2021 guidelines. Analytical parameters including limit of detection, linearity, recovery, and precision were evaluated and details of the universal sample preparation procedure and workflow instrumentation configuration will be discussed.
What you will learn
1. How dynamic MRM scheduling allows 764 pesticides to be determined in a single LC/MS/MS run
2. How sample preparation can influence quantitation results
3. How sample preparation, analytical instrumentation and data processing software increases the efficiency of wide-scope pesticide analysis
<blockquote>
Presenter: Peter Kornas (Peter Kornas, Agilent Technologies, Waldbronn, Germany, Agilent Technologies)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Peter Kornas has over a decade of experience in the field of development and validation of analytical methods for pesticide, mycotoxin and contaminant analysis using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Prior to joining Agilent Technologies as an LC/MS Application Engineer in 2018, he worked as analytical chemist in the food industry working in close cooperation with regulatory affairs to guarantee the fulfillment of legal requirements.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Quantitative Analysis of 764 Pesticides in Tomato by LC/MS/MS

Quantitative analysis of 764 pesticides in tomato by LC/MS/MS

A comprehensive verified LC/QQQ workflow for the simultaneous quantitation of 764 pesticides in tomato adhering to the to SANTE 11312/2021 guidelines.

Qunat. Analysis of 764 Pesticides in Tomato by LC/MS/MS

Agilent&#39;s Cary 3500 Flexible UV-VIS Spectrometer makes concentration analysis easy. Its unique hardware design allows you to effortlessly change cuvette pathlengths for switching between assays.
In this presentation, we will discuss concentration analysis workflows and how to streamline these measurements with reliable hardware and software.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Scott Melis, PhD (Application Scientist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Scott Melis has a PHD in Physics from Georgetown University in Washington, DC and started with Agilent in 2021 as a Molecular Spectroscopy Application Scientist. In his graduate work, Scott studied nanoparticle formation and growth for a variety of applications. Projects that he worked with include developing processes to deposit and characterize semiconducting molecular nano-cocrystals for use in optoelectronic devices as well as controlling polymer nanoparticle size through rapid mixing conditions.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Simple UV-VIS Workflows For Concentration Analysis

Simple UV-VIS Workflows For Concentration Analysis

We will discuss concentration analysis workflows and how to streamline these measurements with reliable hardware and software.

This webinar will cover the analysis of pesticides in food and highlight the productivity enhancement features available on Thermo Scientific chromatography systems.
We will look at the analysis of pesticides using GC-MS/MS with helium conservation and the use of alternative carrier gas to ensure sustainable productivity. 
Our experts will show how single software platform can optimize your pesticides analysis and drive efficiency in your laboratory for GC-, LC-, IC-, MS/MS analysis.
Dual sequence processing, where data can be merged to provide orthogonal cross confirmation of identity and increased confidence in results will be discussed.
It will also be demonstrated how the software supports SANTE analytical quality control criteria for compliant analysis.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Łukasz Rajski (Product Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Łukasz Rajski works as product application specialist at Thermo Fisher Scientific. He holds a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry. Łukasz has over 10 years of experience in pesticide residue analysis. He is an expert in the development and validation of analytical methods. Dr. Rajski works with advanced mass spectrometry techniques (both high-resolution and triple quadrupole) coupled to ultra-high performance liquid chromatography, high-performance ion chromatography, and gas chromatography. Łukasz Rajski is a co-author of numerous articles published in scientific journals with high impact factor and book chapters dedicated to pesticide residue analysis
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Zoe Julian (Product Marketing Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
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<blockquote>
Zoe Julian is a product marketing manager for chromatography software within the CMD Software team at Thermo Fisher Scientific. With over 12 years&#39; experience of working with chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques with a background in GC and GC-MS(/MS) organic environmental analysis, she has helped many laboratories and industries improve their workflows through a unique understanding of their challenges. Transitioning to a focus on Thermo Scientific™ Chromeleon™ CDS, she has shown customers how software solutions can improve their productivity and support their day-to-day operations.
</blockquote>

Pixabay/DanaTentis: Sustainable productive pesticide analysis

Sustainable productive pesticide analysis

This webinar will cover the analysis of pesticides in food and highlight the productivity enhancement features available on chromatography systems.

Join this webinar to hear from Dr Lin Qingsong, Principle Research Fellow, Director, Protein and Proteomics Centre, National University of Singapore and be informed about up-to-date risk assessment considerations of alternative proteins.
About this webinar
Alternative proteins are gaining momentum as a viable and sustainable option to traditional animal-based proteins. In this webinar, we will focus on the applications and potential of omics in key research areas, which drive innovation and food safety in alternative proteins.
Learning points:
<ul>
<li>Be informed about up-to-date risk assessment considerations of alternative proteins</li>
<li>Understand how multi-omics can study novel foods (alternative proteins)</li>
<li>Understand how omics output can help in improving and creating new food safety guidelines to ensure safe alternative proteins for consumers</li>
</ul>
Technical highlights:
<ul>
<li>Protein extraction and proteomics digestion considerations for alternative protein samples</li>
<li>Data processing and databases for discovery proteomics in novel foods</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr Lin Qingsong (Principal Research Fellow (Research Associate Professor), Director, Protein and Proteomics Centre)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<ul>
<li>2002 PhD University of Toronto, Canada (major in Clinical Biochemistry)</li>
<li>1994 MSc Xiamen University, China (major in Enzymology)</li>
<li>1991 BSC Xiamen University, China (major in Biochemistry)</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Proteomics and mass spectrometry, Cancer biomarker discovery and cancer biology, Chemical proteomics and drug target identification, Mechanisms of water desalination in mangrove plants and euryhaline fish, Aquaporin biomimetic membrane for water desalination and reuse.
</blockquote>

SCIEX: Omics in the rapidly developing field of alternative proteins: innovation and safety

Omics in the rapidly developing field of alternative proteins: innovation and safety

Join this webinar and be informed about up-to-date risk assessment considerations of alternative proteins.