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

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Academy

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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

BÜCHI

Agilent Technologies

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Waters Corporation

ADCs represent complex biologics combing a targeting antibody molecule with a cytotoxic warhead via a linker system. The design of the linker systems is crucial to ensure the warhead is only released at the target site, whilst enabling conjugation to an active site on the protein.
Mass spectrometry can be utilized in various modalities to monitor loss of payloads when incubated in plasma providing a rapid measurement of relative stability.
This webinar will detail how mass spectrometry is used in ADC development and how the X500B QTOF system represents a versatile platform for measurement of intact, reduced, and digested proteins.
Attend this webinar to:
<ul>
<li>Understand how LC-MS can be used to study the stability of an ADC in plasma</li>
<li>Find out how LC-MS can be used to calculate the antibody drug ratio of an intact ADC</li>
<li>Discover how LC-MS has been used to study the payload release of an ADC</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Chris Nortcliffe (Mass Spectrometry Manager | Sterling Pharma Solutions | UK)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Dr Christopher Nortcliffe is the mass spectrometry manager in the UK at Sterling Pharma Solutions, a CDMO pharmaceutical partner company. He has a background in protein and DNA analysis, obtaining his PhD from the University of Manchester on studying noncovalent interactions by mass spectrometry in 2016. After Manchester, Christopher worked for SCIEX as a specialist in LC-MS analysis of biologics before moving to Sterling Pharma Solutions, where he manages the LC-MS service and is an expert in the LC-MS analysis of biotherapeutics and ADCs.
</blockquote>

SCIEX: Use of mass spectrometry to assess plasma stability of Antibody Drug Conjugates

Use of mass spectrometry to assess plasma stability of Antibody Drug Conjugates

How mass spectrometry is used in ADC development and how the X500B QTOF system represents a versatile platform.

Use of mass spectrometry to assess plasma stability of ADCs

Tangential flow filtration (TFF), also known as cross-flow filtration, is a rapid and efficient method for the separation and purification of biomolecules.
TFF can be used to concentrate sample solutions ranging in volumes from 10 mL to thousands of liters. It can also be used to fractionate large from small biomolecules, harvest cell suspensions and clarify fermentation broths and cell lysates.
Another major usage of TFF is to perform a process called diafiltration, a technique that uses ultrafiltration membranes to completely remove, replace or lower the concentration of salts or solvents from solutions containing proteins, peptides, nucleic acids and other biomolecules.
This webinar will explore the applications of diafiltration across immunology, protein chemistry, molecular biology, biochemistry and biotechnology.
Attend this webinar to learn:
<ul>
<li>How to optimize laboratory-scale protein purifications</li>
<li>About tangential flow filtration techniques and ultrafiltration membrane selection</li>
<li>How to operate both continuous and discontinuous diafiltration methods</li>
</ul>
Presenter: Richard Pearce (Independent Consultant)

Technology Networks: Simplified Diafiltration for Protein Purification

Simplified Diafiltration for Protein Purification

This webinar will explore the applications of diafiltration across immunology, protein chemistry, molecular biology, biochemistry and biotechnology.

LC-analogue detection has become widely accepted as a core analytical tool in many laboratories. This method of detection affords itself to a diverse range of applications supporting routine analysis. Sometimes LC-UV generated data is simply not enough, and orthogonal detection techniques like LC-MS will add more information for complete sample characterisation enabling more confident and faster results.
This webinar focuses on:
<ul>
<li>Why is LC-MS a complementary technique to optical detection?</li>
<li>Single quadrupole mass spectrometry is a well-respected, robust and reliable technique</li>
<li>Easy adoption into undergraduate and graduate teaching and research laboratories</li>
</ul>
Key learning objectives:
<ul>
<li>What is single quadrupole mass spectrometry?</li>
<li>Benefits to laboratories of adopting this technique and perceived barriers</li>
<li>Practical tips for coupling single quadrupole MS to liquid chromatography</li>
<li>Examples of how mass spectral data has helped to solve real analytical problems</li>
</ul>
Who should attend?
<ul>
<li>Scientists in pharmaceutical, chemical, clinical, contract research organizations (CRO), cosmetics and agrochemical industries, universities, and governmental laboratories</li>
<li>Chromatographers wanting to transition to LC-MS from traditional LC-UV workflows</li>
<li>Anyone with an interest in mass spectrometry who wants to learn more</li>
</ul>
 The session will conclude with a live Q&amp;A where the team will be on hand to answer all of your questions.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Professor Graham John Langley PhD BSc CChem CSci FRSC (Director of SCAS and Head of the Mass Spectrometry Facility, University of Southhampton)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Professor John Langley is an internationally recognized leader in chromatography - mass spectrometry (MS) with &gt;35 years’ experience and has led and managed the MS/chromatography-MS facility at Southampton Chemistry since 1988.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
John has &gt;120 publications and has delivered innovative approaches to MS and chromatography-MS, e.g. the first academic open access MS instrumentation in 1995, open access LC-MS, GC-MS and then SFC-MS in 2014.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), Chartered Chemist, Chartered Scientist, Member of RSC Analytical Division Council (2014-20), Chair of the RSC Separation Science Group (2009-) and Past President of the International Mass Spectrometry Foundation (2018-22). He is the only person to have been Chair of the BMSS and the RSC Separation Science Group, and was presented with the British Mass Spectrometry Society medal in 2021.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
He is director of the SW Regional GCxGC-HRMS facility, and the equivalent SW Regional LCxLC-IMS-HRMS facility.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Cristian Cojocariu (Program Lead – Routine Mass Detection, Waters Corporation)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Cristian Cojocariu (Program lead – Routine Mass Detection) is an experienced scientist with a demonstrated history of working with leading analytical instruments vendors. At Waters, Cristian is responsible for leading the routine mass detection program which provides globally recognized scientific leadership in the area of mass detection measurement in the life, food, and materials sciences.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
In both the academic and industrial settings, Cristian has acquired extensive experience with GC-MS and LC-MS systems used to examine organic chemicals in biological, food, materials, and environmental samples. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a PhD in Biosphere/Atmosphere interactions from Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg, Germany.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Vicky Starkie (Principal Marketing Manager – Routine Mass Detection, Waters Corporation)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Vicky Starkie - Principal Marketing Manager – Routine Mass Detection graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University (UK) with a BSc (Hons) degree in Applied Chemistry. Vicky studied part-time to gain her qualifications whilst working in industry resulting in over 25 years’ experience in a range of analytical techniques including LC, LC-MS, and LC-MS/MS.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
For the last 8 years Vicky has been working at Waters in a variety of field-based roles supporting customers, providing pre and post-sales application support. In January 2021 Vicky joined the product management and marketing team and is passionate about delivering mass detection solutions to support customers in life, food, and materials sciences.
</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: Routine LC-MS Mass Detection Made Easy

Routine LC-MS Mass Detection Made Easy

Benefits of adopting routine mass detection for traditional LC-UV workflows

Supercritical Fluid Chromatography (SFC) offers several benefits over High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) for compound isolation due to the nature of supercritical fluids.
During the webinar find out:
<ul>
<li>What Supercritical Fluids are, and how they are used for compound isolation</li>
<li>How SFC takes advantage of HPLC</li>
<li>Why SFC instruments are the green standard for compound isolation</li>
<li>When SFC can speed up a process</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Holger Gumm (Managing Director, Sepiatec GmbH)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
I’m the founder and Managing Director at Sepiatec, a new product line of compact and easy-to-use SFC instruments recently joined to BUCHI’s established portfolio.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Birke Götz (Product Manager Purification, BUCHI Labortechnik)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
I am a Global Product Manager for Purification at BUCHI Labortechnik AG and located in the headquarter in Flawil, Switzerland. 
</blockquote>

BUCHI: Why SFC? An in-depth look into the benefits of this separation method

Why SFC? An in-depth look into the benefits of this separation method

SFC offers several benefits over HPLC for compound isolation due to the nature of supercritical fluids.

Why SFC? An in-depth look into the benefits

Don’t miss this exclusive look into how Trilogy Analytical Laboratory, a high-throughput food and feed safety laboratory, relies on robust LC-MS/MS solutions to consistently test for mycotoxins across a multitude of commodities with speed and selectivity.
We’ll look at:
<ul>
<li>How molds and the mycotoxins end up in grain</li>
<li>Differences between testing grain and its byproducts</li>
<li>Improving predictions of mycotoxin occurrence</li>
<li>Delivering trustworthy results to your clients quickly</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Julie Brunkhorst
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Julie Brunkhorst has been with Trilogy since it opened in 1999 and is currently the Vice-President of the Technical Division. As an essential part of Trilogy’s growth and success, Julie oversees the daily operations of the laboratory and directs all R&amp;D activities. Her expertise in designing procedures customized for high throughput laboratories has enabled Trilogy to reduce run times, and in many cases, offering same-day turnaround. Julie holds a BAS in Chemistry from Maryville University.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Carrie Maune
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Carrie Maune is President and CEO of Trilogy Analytical Laboratory and is one of the original founders of the organization. Carrie has dedicated 23 years of her professional life to helping build Trilogy into the industry-trusted laboratory that it is today. Carrie has 35+ years of mycotoxin experience and has a passion for sharing her knowledge with others. Carrie is a graduate of Central Missouri University.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Jordon Bierbaum
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Jordon Bierbaum is the Vice-President of Operations at Trilogy Analytical Laboratory. Jordon started with the organization in 2009 as a chemist and quickly advanced within the laboratory. Jordon has held management positions within Trilogy’s laboratory and production department and this well-rounded experience give him a unique knowledge of quality processes and quality materials. Jordon has his BS of Science in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Missouri-Columbia and an MBA from Missouri Baptist University.
</blockquote>

SCIEX: The truths, myths, and intricacies of testing mycotoxins

The truths, myths, and intricacies of testing mycotoxins

How Trilogy Analytical Laboratory relies on LC-MS/MS solutions to consistently test for mycotoxins across a multitude of commodities with speed and selectivity.

Cell line development scientists and upstream bioprocess engineers aim at optimizing biotherapeutics production processes to maximize drug product quality, yield, and manufacturing efficiency. Currently, information on critical process and product attributes required for informed decision making is often insufficient and not readily available. This has a negative impact on the process robustness, throughput, and outcome.
Direct measurement of cell culture media and product quality attributes (PQAs) has recently been offered thanks to the Waters BioAccord™ LC-MS system with dedicated workflows for process analytics of biopharmaceuticals. The BioAccord™ LC-MS can be directly coupled to multi parallel bioreactor systems, like the Sartorius Ambr® 15 or 250 HT platforms, for accelerated process development. 
With this integrated solution, process engineers have direct access to the information they need to be in control: drug substance quality and yield can be maximized, process and product related impurities minimized, and more robust processes can be developed, thereby de-risking batch failure. This ultimately results in accelerated drug product development and manufacturing release from months or weeks to days, saving time and resources but more importantly enable faster delivery of safer treatments to patients. 
Please join us as Magnus Wetterhall will present how Waters BioAccord™ LC-MS system offer enhanced capabilities for direct measurements of critical process and product quality attributes in cell line and process development and thereby enabling you to make more informed decisions with your own high-quality data. 
<blockquote>
Presenter: Magnus Wetterhall, Ph.D. (Global Marketing Manager – Bioprocessing, Waters Corporation)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Magnus Wetterhall has more than 25 years’ experience in upstream &amp; downstream bioprocessing, advanced mass spectrometry, biomarker discovery, protein characterization, working at start-ups, large biotech companies as well as academics. Magnus earned his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degree in analytical chemistry at Uppsala University, Sweden. He has published over 40 scientific papers and 50 posters in the areas of mass spectrometry, biomolecule characterization and bioseparations, and has been an invited presenter at national and international conferences on these topics. He is currently the Global Marketing Manager at Waters Corporation – Bioprocessing, where he is dedicated to deliver analytical solutions to advance upstream and downstream bioprocess.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Terence Teo (BioPharma/BMR Market Development Manager, APAC, Waters Corporation)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Terence Teo has more than 15 years of experience in bioprocessing, specializing in downstream processing R&amp;D during the early phase of his career before moving to business development roles in GE Life Sciences (now Cytiva), Pall Biotech and most recently, Waters Corporation. Terence is motivated in supporting regional customers in APAC with technologies enabling continuous bioprocessing. He is currently working actively in Waters to drive the use of LC-MS analytical solutions to support near real-time CQA measurement in bioprocess applications, as well as use of LC-MS in multi-attribute method (MAM) and emerging drug modalities such as mRNA and viral vectors. Terence earned his M.Eng degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at National University of Singapore (NUS).
</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: Accelerating Upstream Bioprocess Development Through Data Driven Decisions

Accelerating Upstream Bioprocess Development Through Data Driven Decisions

We will present how Waters BioAccord™ LC-MS system offer enhanced capabilities for direct measurements of critical process and product quality attributes.

Accelerating Upstream Bioprocess Development

Key Learning Points:
<ul>
<li>Learn about Robust Polar Pesticides analysis</li>
<li>Examine how to optimize a robust method for cationic and anionic pesticides</li>
<li>Review advances in column selectivity and MS for optimized separation of polar pesticides</li>
</ul>
Who Should Attend:
Analytical scientists interested in a new column chemistry for analysis of challenging compounds, or lab managers/ lab directors using LC-MS/MS for food and environmental analysis
<blockquote>
Presenter: Ramkumar Dhandapani (Global Product Manager, Phenomenex)
</blockquote>

Phenomenex: An Educator’s Guide to Fast and Robust Polar Pesticides Analysis

An Educator’s Guide to Fast and Robust Polar Pesticides Analysis

Learn about Robust Polar Pesticides analysis. Examine how to optimize a robust method for cationic and anionic pesticides....

Guide to Fast and Robust Polar Pesticides Analysis

One declared goal of the EU is that all surface and groundwater bodies achieve good chemical and good ecological status. Pollutants of great concern are regulated within the Water Frame Work Directive 2000/60/EC, amongst them a number of pesticides. The so-called Surface Water Watch Lists help to identify and monitor new substances of concern. On these lists are more and more pharmaceuticals as well as personal care products.
For this reason we developed a multi-residue LC-MS/MS method with the aim to:
<ul>
<li>quantify more than 140 pesticides, pharmaceuticals and personal care products in one run and</li>
<li>reach LOQs of 10 ng/l for all compounds with direct injection of aqueous samples.</li>
</ul>
In this webinar Hannah Willmer will present:
<ul>
<li>What method conditions and instrumentation are needed?</li>
<li>Which are the most challenging compounds?</li>
<li>How does the new waters_connect for Quan software support method development?</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Hannah Willmer (Senior Applications Chemist, Waters Corporation)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Hannah Willmer is an applications chemist in the European demo lab, based in Wilmslow, UK. Her main role focuses on application development work for the food and environmental sector.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
With a background in bioanalysis supporting the pharmaceutical sector, Hannah further developed a passion for the food and environmental industry. She cultivated this enthusiasm in a contract organization for 6 years where she managed a team and developed methods for the analysis of food and supplements from nutritional testing to food safety compliance. She specialized within the pesticides and contaminants department with a focus on infant formula which brings its own challenges such as more stringent regulations and high throughput.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
As a former research analyst and Waters client Hannah understands the importance of robust and reliable methods to Waters’ customers and strives to enhance the customers’ experience with the quality comprehensive solutions that are essential to meet the demands in modern testing.
</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: LC-MS/MS Multi-residue Method for Pesticides, Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPPCPs) in Water

LC-MS/MS Multi-residue Method for Pesticides, Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPPCPs) in Water

What method conditions and instrumentation are needed?; Which are the most challenging compounds?; How does the new waters_connect support method development?

LC-MS/MS Multi-residue Method for Water analysis

<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>
Building a calibration curve in a quantitative method is required for most LC/TQ studies. In MassHunter Quantitative software, the calibration curve basics will be reviewed and a convenient and quick method for importing the calibration levels from CSV file will be featured.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Hui Zhao, PhD (LC/MS Applications Scientist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Hui has 13 years of industry experience developing and validating analytical methods for food/feed nutrition, food safety, dietary supplements and botanicals testing, using a variety of analytical techniques including LC-TQ, LC-QTOF, LC-DAD and GC-MS and a breadth of sample preparation methodologies. She has worked as a Research Scientist at Monsanto, EPL-Bioanalytical Services, Tate &amp; Lyle, Inc. and Lead Staff Scientist at Covance Food Solutions. She holds a Master of Science degree in Analytical Chemistry from Lanzhou University in China and a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Missouri.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Prior to becoming a Pre-Sales AE, Hui worked as an LCMS application scientist in Agilent’s global market development group where her primary focus was food and environmental market development.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Karen Yannell (LC/MS Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Karen E. Yannell is a LC/MS Application Engineer at Agilent Technologies. She is an expert in small molecule high throughput analysis by triple quadrupole (TQ) and quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) mass spectrometry for applied markets. Her recent work has focused on developing routine Q-TOF workflows for both expert and non-expert users alike. Previously, Karen worked on forensic, metabolomics, and biomarker discovery applications with ambient ionization sources. She received her PhD in Analytical Chemistry from Purdue University where studied under the advisement of Prof. R. Graham Cooks. Outside of the laboratory, she enjoys cooking unique dishes and hiking along the beach with her dog.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Quant Made Easy: Building a Calibration Curve with Agilent MassHunter Quantitative Analysis

Quant Made Easy: Building a Calibration Curve with Agilent MassHunter Quantitative Analysis

In MassHunter Quantitative software, the calibration curve basics will be reviewed and a convenient and quick method for importing...

Building a Calibration with Agilent MassHunter Quantitative

<h5>The Problem&nbsp;</h5>Working with ADCs can really be a nightmare. They are sticky and throw up a fight when you try to characterize them: first you never have enough for all tests you need to run and then they are likely to aggregate before you have a chance to complete your testing.<h5>The Solution&nbsp;</h5>Unchained Labs is all about providing solutions that only need a few microliters of sample, combine a bunch of measurements into one experiment and get you your data fast. Stunner quantifies proteins and labelling efficiency, plus it gauges sample quality by assessing aggregates. Uncle monitors stability of your biologic and is your go-to when testing formulations, both in quick thermal ramps and in long term isothermal tests. Honeybun treats you to viscosity data with small volumes and takes no time. Sweet.<h5>The Proof&nbsp;</h5>Join our webinar and check out concentration, labeling, stability, and viscosity data of a mAb and its conjugate. We'll show you how to use Unchained Labs tools to squeeze all that info from only a couple of microliters of sample – to give you the full scoop, and no nightmares. &nbsp;<blockquote>Presenter:&nbsp;Andree Mueller (Senior Product Manager for Aunty and Honeybun, Unchained Labs)</blockquote>

Unchained Labs: Get the full scoop on your ADC from microliters

Get the full scoop on your ADC from microliters

Join our webinar and check out concentration, labeling, stability, and viscosity data of a mAb and its conjugate. 