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

Separation Science

Merck

Agilent Technologies

Waters Corporation

Times, they’re changing. Is your lab already a “Lab of the future”? How does the Dissolution workflow and equipment fit into this move to a connected lab environment and where do we see challenges but also opportunities? Join us for the discussion of this exciting topic.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Karen Krauel-Göllner, PhD (Product Manager Dissolution, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
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<blockquote>
Karen Krauel-Göllner is a registered pharmacist and holds a PhD in Pharmacy from the University of Otago, New Zealand. Karen has worked in various roles in the field of pharmaceutical development. For the last 5 years she has been working with Agilent Technologies and currently holds a position as product manager for dissolution systems.
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<blockquote>
Presenter: Ken Boda (Dissolution Product Specialist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
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<blockquote>
Ken joined Varian (now Agilent) in 2005 as an Applications Engineer and is now a Dissolution Product Specialist. Prior to working at Agilent, he worked in pharma specializing in dissolution testing and method development. As a Dissolution Product Specialist, Ken works with customers in determining the best systems for their needs and optimizing their work flows. He has also helped educate customers on dissolution science through webinars, the Dissolution Discussion Group, LinkedIn, and other channels.
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<blockquote>
Presenter: Bryan Crist (President, DissoAssist Consulting)
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<blockquote>
Bryan is currently the president of DissoAssist consulting based in Wilmington, NC since 2021. He provides consulting, coaching, and training services for dissolution and drug release in the pharmaceutical industry, specifically, the areas of product and method development and validation, technology transfer, regulatory and compendial compliance, automation, troubleshooting, aberrant data investigation, apparatus and instrument qualification, SOP development, and laboratory audits.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Previously, Bryan was a Scientific Affairs Manager with Agilent Technologies located in Cary, North Carolina, USA. His activities from 1997 until 2021 had focused on providing method and technical application support for dissolution and drug release testing in the pharmaceutical industry as well as working with VanKel, Varian and eventually Agilent R&amp;D, Marketing and Sales teams. Prior to 1997, Bryan performed analytical testing, supervised, and managed pharmaceutical laboratories with Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck, AAI and Abbott Laboratories until he joined the dissolution equipment manufacturer VanKel.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Bryan has developed and routinely conducts numerous seminars related to dissolution and drug release testing. He’s provided numerous talks at exhibitions and conferences and has published numerous articles in journals and book chapters on dissolution related techniques and topics. He received his B.S. degree in Chemistry from Atlantic Christian College in Wilson, North Carolina. Bryan has been a former member of the USP Biopharmaceutics Expert Committee and is presently a member of several USP Expert Panels on Performance Verification Testing, Capsules, Performance Tests for Semisolid Dosage Forms and Solubility Criteria for Veterinary Drugs. He’s a Steering Committee member of the AAPS In-Vitro Release Dissolution Testing (IVRDT) Community Leadership Team, co-founder and co-moderator of the Dissolution Discussion Group (DDG) and is a current member of the American Chemical Society.
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<blockquote>
Presenter: Vivian Gray (Founder VA Gray Consulting; Managing Director of Dissolution Technologies)
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Vivian has spent the last 40+ years involved in all aspects of dissolution testing and evaluating new dissolution technology. At the United States Pharmacopeia, she enjoyed a long career serving first as a bench chemist, supervisor and lastly as a liaison to various expert USP committees, including the Biopharmaceutics and Dissolution Expert Committee. In 1997, Vivian joined the DuPont-Merck Pharmaceuticals Company Analytical Research and Development Section as the Head of the Dissolution Group.
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Vivian has been an invited speaker for conferences on 70 occasions (28 of these were international invitations), lecturing especially in the areas of dissolution method development and validation, FDA requirements in dissolution testing, troubleshooting dissolution method problems, and new dissolution technology and dosage forms. She is a proactive participant in the field as demonstrated by 54 publications, including 6 book chapters. Vivian has co-authored a book on dissolution testing called “Handbook of Dissolution Testing”, Third Edition, published in 2004.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Looking Ahead: The Dissolution Lab of the Future

Looking Ahead: The Dissolution Lab of the Future

How does the Dissolution workflow and equipment fit into this move to a connected lab environment and where do we see challenges but also opportunities?

The webinar will highlight benefits of automation for laboratories with high throughput of samples and laborious manual methods, as well as challenges faced during analysis, including LOQs and matrix factors.
Also discussed will be the method development of a large panel of drugs of abuse, focusing on steps taken to improve recoveries, signal, and RSDs.
The presentation is aimed at laboratories with manual methods looking to improve sample turnaround and reproducibility, and free up time for analysts to perform other important tasks. Laboratories aiming to reach the requested LOQs from the Society of Hair Testing (SOHT) through improvements in sample cleanup will find this presentation of value.
<h5>By attending this presentation you will learn about:</h5>
<ul>
<li>a streamlined and automated method for the extraction of drugs of abuse in hair</li>
<li>the benefits of automation and using the Biotage workflow</li>
<li>a method capable of reaching the required LOQs for hair analysis</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Thomas Smith (Applications Laboratory Team Leader, Biotage)
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Thomas began his career at Biotage in July 2022 as Applications Laboratory Team Leader. Prior to this, he worked in a UKAS accredited hair analysis laboratory, beginning as a laboratory analyst and working up to R&amp;D team leader. Thomas&#39;s main task was to develop a streamlined and automated method for extracting a large panel of drugs of abuse from hair to help laboratory process with a growing number of samples.
</blockquote>

LabRulez: Selected Applications for Drugs of Abuse Analysis in Hair

Selected Applications for Drugs of Abuse Analysis in Hair

Automation for laboratories with high throughput of samples and laborious manual methods and challenges including LOQs and matrix factors.

<ul>
<li>Wait what?! Who knew!? There are so many things that a mass spec can do.
</li>
<li>I&#39;ve used it for years, yes this may be true.
</li>
<li>I&#39;ve processed some samples, more than a few.
</li>
<li>But between me and you, I had no idea all the things it could do!
</li>
<li>From sample prep to separation, you just won&#39;t believe…
</li>
<li>All of the tips and tricks we have up our sleeve.
</li>
<li>So, take a few minutes, about 15 should do.
</li>
<li>And learn all the things your mass spec can do.
</li>
</ul>
The Automated Liquid Sampler (ALS) you have in your LCMS stack can simplify menial tasks. The parameters available in the ALS setup tab and the Sample Pretreatment tab allow the ALS to perform many labor saving functions related to sample prep for LCMS. Examples of functions like internal standard addition or pre-column derivatization to options to simplify Flow Injection Analysis processing will be discussed.
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Presenter: Jim Lau, PhD (HRAMS LC/MS Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
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Jim Lau received his Ph.D. From the University of Colorado. There he worked in the laboratories of Peter Albersheim and Robert Shapiro. This work involved the structure elucidation of plant natural products and, in particular, elucidating the structures of oligosaccharides derived from plant cell wall polysaccharides. This work was done in the early days of LCMS and made use of DLI-LCMS and (at the time) recently invented Thermospray-LCMS.
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After the completion of his Ph.D., Jim joined Hewlett-Packard to work on LCMS ionization techniques with Paul Goodley during the early days of Electrospray-LCMS. He then moved to work on field applications and collaborations with Hewlett-Packard’s LCMS customers. More than 30 years later, Jim continues to work with Agilent’s customers in High Resolution Accurate Mass applications of LCMS. While involved in many areas of HRAMS LCMS, his recent work has focused on the area of Screening/Qual&amp;Quant of small molecules and on the high throughput confirmation of oligonucleotide synthesis.
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Agilent Technologies: Need help with Sample Prep for LCMS in the Lab? Making use of the Automated Liquid Sampler you already have on your LCMS

Need help with Sample Prep for LCMS in the Lab? Making use of the Automated Liquid Sampler you already have on your LCMS

The Automated Liquid Sampler (ALS) you have in your LCMS stack can simplify menial tasks.

Automated Liquid Sampler for Sample Prep for LCMS in the Lab

Solving Problems That Matter: Nitrosamine Analysis
Expert Insight 3-Part Webinar Series: Upskilling Your Analytical Strategies for Nitrosamine Detection and Control to Proactively Address Safety in Pharmaceutical Product Development.
Unacceptable levels of N-nitrosamine impurities, which may increase the risk of cancer, have been found in some medications resulting in drug recalls, warning letters, and therapeutic shortages. To ensure that the residual level of nitrosamines in your drug products related to your drug development and manufacturing processes is within safe amounts, highly sensitive and specific analytical methods need to be used for the detection, characterization, and quantification of such impurities. Learn how your colleagues have upskilled their lab capabilities and technologies to elucidate the nature of unknown materials in complex drug substances, using a variety of analytical techniques.
In this timely virtual webinar series, pharmaceutical scientific experts discuss key analytical strategies on how to improve methods for nitrosamine impurity detection and characterization, and how sharing this expertise can help your pharmaceutical scientists support your product quality, safety, and efficacy
<h3>PART 2 | Nitrosamine Impurities: USP’s Compendial Response - Tools &amp; Resources</h3>
Harmful impurities in medicines must be detected and controlled due to the potentially serious risk to public health. Operationally, impurities in drug ingredients or finished drug products can delay product approvals and trigger product recalls, introducing challenges including disruption of business operations, regulatory investigations, and remediation.
The nitrosamine impurities crisis prompted regulators worldwide to increase their scrutiny of drug manufacturing processes even further. This greater scrutiny led to the discovery of nitrosamine impurities in other medicines and later Nitrosamines-Drug-Substance-related-Impurities (NDSRIs). For this reason, manufacturers must understand which medicines are likely to form nitrosamines, how and at what levels nitrosamine impurities are forming, and how to control nitrosamines.
In the following seminar, we will explore how USP responded to the nitrosamine impurities crisis with a proposed general chapter on nitrosamine impurities that provides a risk assessment strategy, methods for detecting and measuring nitrosamine impurities, along with physical reference standards against which manufacturers can compare their test results. Additionally, USP has created a whole suite of resources and tools for stakeholders to face the challenges of Nitrosamine Impurities effectively.
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Presenter: Naiffer Romero, MSc, MPH (Principal Scientist, Regulatory Affairs, US Pharmacopeia)
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Naiffer has more than 18+ years of pharmaceutical industry experience. In his 10 years tenure with USP, he has served several roles: Lead scientist in performance testing compendial reference standards development, Manager in charge of LATAM Compendial engagement and education with stakeholders and national regulatory bodies. Naiffer is also a certified USP Education instructor.
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Most recently, Naiffer joined USP’s Scientific Affair performance cell where he leads scientific outreach and engagement for LATAM &amp; US region on key national health priority topics. His combined pharmaceutical expertise includes Analytical development, salt and polymorph selection, Development of dissolution methods, IVIVC modeling, and impurity analytical strategy. Naiffer also serves as a member of USP’s Nitrosamine Steering Committee and community host to ‘Nitrosamine Exchange’, a knowledge community on All-things Nitrosamine. Naiffer also liaises technical discussions on pharmacopeial collaboration including the International meeting of World Pharmacopeias (part of WHO).
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Pixabay/Michal Jarmoluk: Nitrosamine Impurities: USP’s Compendial Response - Tools & Resources

Nitrosamine Impurities: USP’s Compendial Response - Tools & Resources

We will explore how USP responded to the nitrosamine impurities crisis with a proposed general chapter on nitrosamine impurities.

Nitrosamine Impurities: USP’s Compendial Response

Analysis of PFAS is now an essential part of water testing programs and becoming a regular requirement for monitoring in environment and food sources. As regulations, like Directive 2006/118/EC or Directive 2008/105/EC, continue to be updated, the requirements for method sensitivity have become essential. Solid phase extraction (SPE) is one tool that can be utilized to enhance the sensitivity of a method by enriching the sample, prior to injection. The alternative is to use a direct injection method that relies on the sensitivity of the mass spectrometer.
With the enhanced negative ion sensitivity of the new Xevo™ TQ Absolute mass spectrometer (MS), the boundaries of what is possible for the direct injection of PFAS in environmental samples have been expanded. The high-end MS, in combination with UniSpray; our smart alternative to classic ESI, has been proven to boost the sensitivity especially for PFAS compounds, enhance the ease and simplicity of the direct injection method for PFAS analysis to achieve the high standards of environmental testing labs.
During the webinar, the challenges of ultra-low-level detection of PFAS will be discussed while demonstrating how the latest innovations at Waters could help you overcome them.
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Presenter: Jenny Davies (Principal Applications Chemist, Waters Corporation)
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Jenny Davies is a Principal Applications Chemist in the European demo lab, based in Wilmslow. Her main role focuses on application development for the food and environmental sector.
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With a strong background in environmental analysis and more recently working in the food industry. Jenny started her journey nearly 20 years ago in a contract environmental laboratory working in various positions from Laboratory Technician to Technical Director, managing multiple teams and sites. Having worked in many busy laboratories where productivity is paramount, she understands the importance of having robust, simple methods ideal to be carried out efficiently across multiple sites. She specialises in Persistent Organic Pollutants with a focus on environmental samples in soil, water and air.
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As a former Quality Manager strong Jenny has exceptional understanding of quality and all requirements to adhere to ISO 17025. In addition to this she has been a member of a UKAS Flexible Scope panel in a food laboratory, giving her the knowledge of the different challenges in method development and validation for food commodities. Jenny channels this appreciation for quality into developing comprehensive and compliant applications to solve the challenges in modern testing.
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Waters Corporation: PFAS Analysis - What's possible with unique technologies?

PFAS Analysis - What's possible with unique technologies?

The challenges of ultra-low-level detection of PFAS will be discussed while demonstrating how the latest innovations at Waters could help you overcome them.

For years HPLC is one of the golden standards in analytical chemistry. Commercially available systems have been available since the 1970s, and modern systems started in the 1990s and 2000s to dominate analytical labs e.g. in quality control or in research and development.
Today many running systems are 10 or 15 years old, sometimes even older. What are the pitfalls and risks when working on these systems and how can you use these systems at their best?
This webinar will give a short overview about the possibilities to keep an aged system running, to upgrade it or to exchange it to modern UHPLC systems.
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Presenter: Dr. Jens Trafkowski (Produktspezialist HPLC, Agilent Technologies)
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Jens Trafkowski ist seit 2017 Produktspezialist für HPLC bei Agilent Technologies, nachdem er zuvor mehr als 5 Jahre als globaler Produktmanager für verschiedene HPLC-Systeme und -Produkte tätig war, vor allem bekannt für seine Verantwortung für die 1290 Infinity II 2D-LC. Vor seinem Wechsel zu Agilent Technologies im Jahr 2011 war er mehr als 6 Jahre als Applikationsspezialist für LC-MS tätig.
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Nach seinem Studium der Lebensmittelchemie an der Universität Bonn promovierte er am Institut für Rechtsmedizin Bonn mit einer Arbeit über Anwendungen der HPLC-MS/MS in der forensischen und klinischen Toxikologie.
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Jens Trafkowski has been Product Specialist for HPLC at Agilent Technologies in Basel since 2017, having previously worked as Product Manager at the development site in Waldbronn, responsible among other things for the analytical HPLC pumps, but primarily for the 1290 Infinity II 2D-LC Solution.
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Before joining Agilent Technologies in 2011, he was an application specialist for LC-MS for more than six years, responsible for training, technical support, and application development. After studying food chemistry, Jens Trafkowski focused on the analysis of drugs and pharmaceuticals in human samples and completed his PhD at the Institute of Legal Medicine in Bonn on applications of HPLC-MS/MS in forensic and clinical toxicology.
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Agilent Technologies: HPLC systems running out of support - how can you handle?

HPLC systems running out of support - how can you handle?

This webinar will give a short overview about the possibilities to keep an aged system running, to upgrade it or to exchange it to modern UHPLC systems.

Join us for an upcoming webinar on green chemistry.
Our expert speakers will discuss strategies how to reduce consumption or completely replace traditional and often toxic organic solvents, many of which are under an increasing legislative and consumer pressure.
You will learn about:
<ul>
<li>12 principles of green chemistry</li>
<li>next generation solvents as attractive and highly needed replacements to traditional organic solvents that have health or environmental concerns</li>
<li>micellar catalysis as a useful tool to perform cross-coupling reactions in water</li>
<li>an automated chemical synthesis platform which uses minimum solvents and is based on the principles of so called &quot;capsule chemistry&quot;</li>
<li>hydrophobic powders as an interesting, fast and green alternative to liquid-liquid extraction for reaction work-ups</li>
</ul>
The registration for this webinar is open for researchers and engineers from Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary.
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Presenter: Ondřej Baszczyňski (Head of the Group of Medicinal chemistry &amp; Drug delivery at Charles University)
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Presenter: Zuzana Cejpková &amp; Stanislav Kukla (Merck Life Science)
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MERCK: Strategies to reduce/replace traditional solvent consumption in organic synthesis labs

Strategies to reduce/replace traditional solvent consumption in organic synthesis labs

Our expert speakers will discuss strategies how to reduce consumption or completely replace traditional and often toxic organic solvents.

Reduce/replace solvent consumption in organic synthesis labs

Key Learning Points:
<ul>
<li>Learn why chiral screening is done, what are the benefits</li>
<li>Take a deep dive into columns, and screening modes/methods</li>
<li>Listen into sample compatibility considerations including: detection, solubility, and chiral centers</li>
<li>Understand quick, easy, and cost-effective ways to identify a solution for your chiral separation needs</li>
</ul>
Who Should Attend:
<ul>
<li>Any LC users who would like to get tips on a chiral screening process for method development</li>
<li>Any academia or pharmaceutical scientists who need to rapidly develop a method for separation and characterization of their chiral compounds</li>
</ul>
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Presenter: Zandra Baja (Applications Scientist, Phenomenex)
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Phenomenex: Chiral Chromatography Screening 101

Chiral Chromatography Screening 101

Join us in this upcoming webinar and take a deep dive into columns and screening modes/methods!

How about a 20 minute coffee break along with a bite of Empower? Here you go!
Increase the resilience of your lab operations with the Empower™ Business Continuity (BC) LAC/E™ &amp; SecureSync™.
Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity are theoretical exercises…until they aren’t.
Prepare a coffee and join!
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Presenter: Carsten Fischer (Informatics Product Marketing Manager·Waters Corporation)
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Experienced Business Development Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the Research Industry. Skilled in Chemistry, Life Sciences, Strategic Planning, and Laboratory Informatics. 
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Waters Corporation: Empower Business Continuity (BC) LAC/E & SecureSync

Empower Business Continuity (BC) LAC/E & SecureSync

Complement your #Empower CDS with sample management, equipment inventory and data archiving.

This two part webinar will feature an overview of the RADIAN ASAP Mass Detector, a compact device based on Atmospheric Solids Analysis Prove-Mass Spectrometry (ASAP-MS), will be presented.
The first part will explain how direct ionization mass spectrometry can be used for rapid screening of drugs, including the mechanism of ASAP ionization. This includes details of the sample preparation methods and analytical methodology to screen for common drugs and novel psychoactive substances (NPS), and easily compare to a known library.
More recently paper and other materials infused with drug compounds have been smuggled into UK prisons, including letters to inmates impregnated with drugs which include NPS and synthetic cannabinoids. This will be outlined during the second part of the webinar.
Learning objectives:
<ul>
<li>Discover the potential of the RADIAN ASAP as a simple, yet rapid, screening tool for drug infused paper.</li>
<li>Understand the capabilities such instrumentation can bring to your laboratory.</li>
<li>See how our customers are using the RADIAN ASAP in real situations.</li>
</ul>
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Presenter: Anca Frinculescu (Pharmaceutical Analyst, TICTAC Communications Ltd.)
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Anca Frinculescu works as a pharmaceutical analyst for TICTAC Communications Ltd. (TCL), a UK based company providing drug analysis and drug information services. Anca has worked in the field since 2015 and has experience in assessing drug analysis instruments and in assisting healthcare and law enforcement agencies with their drug identification and drug analysis requirements. In addition to operating the widely used TICTAC visual drug identification system and TICTAC FTIR spectral library of new psychoactive substances, TCL owns the world’s largest collection of medicines and drugs. It is this collection which facilitates TCL’s assessment of drug analysis instruments and methods.
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Anca received a BA and MSc degree in Pharmacy from University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Bucharest, Romania in 2012 and an MSc degree in Forensic Medical Sciences from William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London in 2014. Currently, she is doing a part-time PhD at King’s College London, expected to be completed in 2024.
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Presenter: Emily Lee (Application Scientist, Waters Corporation)
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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.
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Waters Corporation: Cows, Barns and Drugs - Assessing portable instruments at music festivals

Cows, Barns and Drugs - Assessing portable instruments at music festivals

How direct ionization mass spectrometry can be used for rapid screening of drugs, including the mechanism of ASAP ionization.