<div><p><strong>In 2025, two outstanding young female researchers, Drs. Filipa Oliveira and Stella Gonsales, both originally from outside the Czech Republic, received prestigious JUNIOR STAR grants from the Czech Science Foundation (GAČR). JUNIOR STAR enables early career researchers to establish their own independent research groups and significantly advance their scientific careers. Their projects reflect cutting-edge research in materials science and sustainable chemistry, highlighting the international reach and welcoming research environment at UCT Prague.</strong></p><p><strong>Dr. Stella Gonsales is also a&nbsp;laureate of the Dagmar Procházková Fund, which supports promising scientific projects in sustainable and advanced organic chemistry. Another recipient of this grant is Dr.&nbsp;Anna Valunchene, whose research complements UCT Prague’s&nbsp;sustainability goals. This dual funding underlines Stella’s&nbsp;remarkable achievements and the wide scope of innovative research at UCT Prague.</strong></p><p><strong>Both Filipa and Stella are actively looking for motivated students and researchers to join their teams, offering a&nbsp;unique opportunity to work at the forefront of science in a&nbsp;vibrant and supportive environment.</strong></p></div><div><h3><strong>Interview with Filipa Oliveira: Pioneering tubular MXenes for supercapacitor energy storage</strong></h3><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/VSCHT_Praha_V_prestizni_soutezi_GACR_uspely_dve_zahranicni_vedkyne_z_VSCHT_2_da6e538579.jpeg" alt="VŠCHT Prague: JUNIOR STAR Grants at UCT Prague: Two talented women from abroad driving innovation in science: Filipa Oliveira" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_VSCHT_Praha_V_prestizni_soutezi_GACR_uspely_dve_zahranicni_vedkyne_z_VSCHT_2_da6e538579.jpeg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="1500" height="999"></p><h5><strong>Congratulations on receiving the JUNIOR STAR grant. What does this achievement mean for you and how will it influence your next steps?</strong></h5><p>Thank you. It’s&nbsp;a huge achievement to receive this prestigious grant. It gives me the opportunity to establish my own research group here at UCT Prague. The JUNIOR STAR program supports talented young scientists in building their teams and accessing resources. This means I&nbsp;now have the support to focus fully on my research about tubular MXenes and their application in supercapacitors.</p><h5><strong>Why are tubular MXenes so innovative for energy storage?</strong></h5><p>MXenes are a family of 2D materials with a layered, accordion-like structure and known for their excellent electrical conductivity. Our innovation is to produce them with a tubular morphology, combining the high conductivity and redox activity in superior ion-transport tubular architectures. Their open, hollow structure increases surface area, ion diffusion and charge transport. This could translate to faster, more efficient supercapacitors, critical for sustainable energy technologies.</p><h5><strong>How did your scientific interest lead you to this field?</strong></h5><p>Global challenges around green energy made me focus on materials that can improve energy storage. MXenes stood out because changes in the composition and structure can significantly change their properties. I&nbsp;was curious about how tuning different metallic elements in a&nbsp;tubular morphology can impact how MXenes perform and how to optimize them for practical applications.</p><h5><strong>What challenges have you encountered?</strong></h5><p>One major challenge is their stability: MXenes oxidize quickly which deteriorates performance. Another challenge is understanding how synthesis conditions of both MXenes and their precursors (MAX phases) must be adapted to create and preserve tubular morphologies since their synthesis mechanisms differ from conventional MXenes. Additionally, effectively communicating the project in the funding proposal to show to reviewers why I&nbsp;should obtain this funding was also a&nbsp;challenge, but thanks to mentorship and collaboration, I&nbsp;overcame these hurdles.</p><h5><strong>What motivates you most about working at UCT Prague?</strong></h5><p>The support from colleagues and the excellent technical infrastructure make it a&nbsp;great place to work. Also, being a&nbsp;former member of Professor Sofer’s&nbsp;leading group in 2D&nbsp;materials is inspiring and led me to this achievement.</p><h5><strong>How do&nbsp;you see your professional development going in the future?</strong></h5><p>The grant will help me build my own team, acquire equipment, and develop collaborations. My long-term vision is to contribute significantly to sustainable energy solutions and scientific progress both locally and internationally.</p><h5><strong>You are looking for new team members. What kind of students or scientists do&nbsp;you need?</strong></h5><p>We are currently welcoming enthusiastic master's&nbsp;students, PhD candidates, and postdocs who are passionate about materials science and eager to explore new frontiers in MXenes and energy storage. If you love curiosity-driven research and want to be part of a&nbsp;growing international team, we encourage you to join us.</p><h3><strong>Interview with Stella Gonsales: Catalysis as a&nbsp;key to polymer recycling</strong></h3><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/VSCHT_Praha_V_prestizni_soutezi_GACR_uspely_dve_zahranicni_vedkyne_z_VSCHT_3_3d0ded6274.jpeg" alt="VŠCHT Prague: JUNIOR STAR Grants at UCT Prague: Two talented women from abroad driving innovation in science: Stella Gonsales" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_VSCHT_Praha_V_prestizni_soutezi_GACR_uspely_dve_zahranicni_vedkyne_z_VSCHT_3_3d0ded6274.jpeg 233w," sizes="100vw" width="1499" height="1000"></p><h5><strong>Congratulations on your JUNIOR STAR grant and also being awarded the Dagmar Procházková Fund. What does receiving both mean to you and how will they shape your work?</strong></h5><p>Thank you. Both grants are hugely important. The JUNIOR STAR grant allows me to expand my group and resources for research into catalytic recycling of polymers, while the Dagmar Procházková Fund supports complementary projects such as synthesizing new biodegradable polymers. Together, they help tackle the plastic waste problem from multiple scientific angles.</p><h5><strong>Could you explain your research in layperson’s&nbsp;terms?</strong></h5><p>Most plastics have strong carbon-carbon bonds. We insert more cleavable double bonds into polymers that can be broken down by catalytic reactions called olefin metathesis, making recycling on a&nbsp;molecular level more feasible.</p><h5><strong>What makes the JUNIOR STAR grant particularly important for your research and career development?</strong></h5><p>The JUNIOR STAR grant is a&nbsp;prestigious and highly competitive funding opportunity aimed at excellent early-career scientists within eight years of completing a&nbsp;Ph.D. It provides up to 25&nbsp;million CZK over five years, allowing recipients to establish independent research groups and pursue innovative scientific topics. This grant is crucial for building a&nbsp;solid foundation, acquiring necessary equipment, and recruiting talented team members, enabling the pursuit of ambitious projects that can significantly contribute to both the Czech scientific community and global challenges.</p><h5><strong>What collaborations support your research?</strong></h5><p>The collaboration between UCT Prague and the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (IOCB) of the Czech Academy of Sciences primarily provides financial and technical support. The cooperation helps with funding, access to advanced equipment, and operational resources needed for running research projects.</p><h5><strong>What advice would you give young scientists aiming to succeed?</strong></h5><p>I&nbsp;encourage thinking outside the box and combining diverse knowledge you acquire during your career to address complex problems that are exciting and relevant to you.</p><h5><strong>Your laboratory bears the name of Otto Wichterle and was ceremonially opened in the presence of Professor Kamil Wichterle. How does Wichterle’s&nbsp;legacy inspire you personally?</strong></h5><p>Wichterle’<s>’</s>s&nbsp;innovative spirit motivates me to push creative boundaries and pursue novel solutions in sustainable chemistry.</p><h5><strong>What are your visions for the future?</strong></h5><p>I&nbsp;aim to build a&nbsp;research group that advances sustainable polymer recycling, contributing to environmental responsibility and the circular economy.</p><h5><strong>You are recruiting people for your team. What skills do&nbsp;they need to have?</strong></h5><p>We are looking for talented Ph.D. students and postdocs experienced in air-sensitive catalysis techniques. If you want to contribute to transformative research in sustainable chemistry and join a&nbsp;dynamic team, this is a&nbsp;great opportunity.</p></div>

JUNIOR STAR Grants at UCT Prague: Two talented women from abroad driving innovation in science

News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 06, 2026

<p><strong>Scientists at IOCB Prague are uncovering new details of gene transcription. They have identified a previously unknown molecular mechanism by which the transcription of genetic information from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) into ribonucleic acid (RNA) can be initiated. The researchers focused on a specific class of molecules known as alarmones, which are found in cells across a wide range of organisms and whose levels often increase under conditions of cellular stress. The results were published in the prestigious scientific journal </strong><i><strong>Nature Chemical Biology</strong></i><strong>.</strong></p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Vyzkum_z_UOCHB_odhaluje_dosud_nepoznany_zpusob_prepisu_geneticke_informace_bc2bfffa6c.jpg" alt="IOCB Prague/Tomáš Belloň: Research from IOCB Prague reveals a previously unknown mechanism of genetic transcription: Dr. Hana Cahová, head of the Chemical Biology of Nucleic Acids research group." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Vyzkum_z_UOCHB_odhaluje_dosud_nepoznany_zpusob_prepisu_geneticke_informace_bc2bfffa6c.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="2000" height="1335"></p><div><p>Molecules of ribonucleic acid can carry a variety of chemical modifications at one end, known as caps. In eukaryotic organisms, including human cells, the best-known cap plays an important role in RNA stability and in regulating its subsequent fate. In recent years, however, it has become clear that alternative, non-canonical RNA caps also exist, although their formation and the mechanisms by which they are attached to RNA remain only partially understood. These include alarmone caps, formed by dinucleoside polyphosphate molecules, that protect cellular RNA at moments when the cell is under threat.</p><p>In their study,<strong> </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cahova.group.uochb.cz/en"><strong>Dr. Hana Cahová</strong></a> and colleagues examined bacterial RNA polymerase and investigated how this enzyme can initiate transcription using dinucleoside polyphosphates (NpNs) instead of the standard RNA building blocks. For the first time, the scientists described, at the atomic level, how RNA bearing an alarmone cap can be generated directly at the initiation of gene transcription. They also observed that NpNs bind through a different type of base pairing than is typically observed.</p><p>The work was significantly shaped by <strong>Valentina Serianni from Hana Cahová’s team</strong>, who demonstrated the ability of dinucleoside polyphosphates to initiate gene transcription, and by <strong>Jana Škerlová</strong>, who focused on the structural analysis of RNA polymerase. Using cryogenic electron microscopy data, she showed how dinucleoside polyphosphate molecules bind within the active site of RNA polymerase – that is, the core of the enzyme where genetic information is transcribed. Together, their findings help to elucidate the processes that accompany the transcription of genetic information from DNA to RNA.</p><p>Hana Cahová adds: <i>“We’re describing something that truly occurs in cells and that we’re now able to observe directly at the level of individual molecules. This allows us to answer fundamental questions about cellular processes, such as how cells adapt to stress. RNA plays a central role in this, as it carries the cascade of information underlying any cellular response – for example, to threatening conditions caused by nutrient deprivation or temperature shock.”</i></p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Vyzkum_z_UOCHB_odhaluje_dosud_nepoznany_zpusob_prepisu_geneticke_informace_2_0fe88ff9e9.jpg" alt="IOCB Prague/Tomáš Belloň: Research from IOCB Prague reveals a previously unknown mechanism of genetic transcription: Dr. Tomáš Kouba, head of the Cryogenic Electron Microscopy core facility." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Vyzkum_z_UOCHB_odhaluje_dosud_nepoznany_zpusob_prepisu_geneticke_informace_2_0fe88ff9e9.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="2000" height="1335"></p><div><p>Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) was central to the project. This part of the work was led by<strong> Dr. Tomáš Kouba</strong>, one of the authors of the study. <i>“Cryogenic electron microscopy allows us to freeze biological molecules in a state very close to their natural form and then determine their three-dimensional structure. This makes it possible to look directly into the active centers of enzymes and observe their function down to the atomic level,”</i> he explains.</p><p>Last year, IOCB Prague opened a new <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cryoem.group.uochb.cz/en"><strong>cryo-EM center</strong></a><strong> </strong>that is unique within the Czech research environment. State-of-the-art cryogenic electron microscopes are housed in a specially designed building and enable the study of biological processes with exceptional structural precision.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Vyzkum_z_UOCHB_odhaluje_dosud_nepoznany_zpusob_prepisu_geneticke_informace_3_4d881e7a58.jpg" alt="IOCB Prague: Research from IOCB Prague reveals a previously unknown mechanism of genetic transcription: This work shows how NpnNs initiate bacterial transcription. Cryo-EM reveals how nucleobases pair with the template: one in canonical and one in reverse Watson–Crick mode, providing a structural basis for their function as non-canonical RNA caps." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Vyzkum_z_UOCHB_odhaluje_dosud_nepoznany_zpusob_prepisu_geneticke_informace_3_4d881e7a58.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="2000" height="1077"></p><blockquote><h4><strong>The Original article</strong></h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41589-025-02134-5"><strong>Molecular insight into 5′ RNA capping with Np<sub>n</sub>Ns by bacterial RNA polymerase</strong></a></h4><p>Valentina M. Serianni, Jana Škerlová, Anna Knopp Dubánková, Anton Škríba, Hana Šváchová, Tereza Vučková, Anatolij Filimoněnko, Milan Fábry, Pavlína Řezáčová, Tomáš Kouba &amp; Hana Cahova&nbsp;</p><p>Nat. Chem. Biol. 21 (2026)</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-025-02134-5">https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-025-02134-5</a></p><h6>licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"><strong>CC-BY 4.0</strong></a></h6></blockquote><h4><strong>Abstract</strong></h4><p>RNA capped with dinucleoside polyphosphates has been discovered in bacteria and eukaryotes only recently. The likely mechanism of this specific capping involves direct incorporation of dinucleoside polyphosphates by RNA polymerase as noncanonical initiating nucleotides. However, how these compounds bind into the active site of RNA polymerase during transcription initiation is unknown. Here, we explored transcription initiation in vitro, using a series of DNA templates in combination with dinucleoside polyphosphates and model RNA polymerase from <i>Thermus</i> <i>thermophilus</i>. We observed that the transcription start site can vary on the basis of the compatibility of the specific template and dinucleoside polyphosphate. Cryo-electron microscopy structures of transcription initiation complexes with dinucleoside polyphosphates revealed that both nucleobase moieties can pair with the DNA template. The first encoded nucleotide pairs in a canonical Watson–Crick manner, whereas the second nucleobase pairs noncanonically in a reverse Watson–Crick manner. Our work provides a structural explanation of how dinucleoside polyphosphates initiate RNA transcription.</p></div></div>

Research from IOCB Prague reveals a previously unknown mechanism of genetic transcription

Article

Application

Scientists

Science and research

Video

The University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague is a natural centre of first-rate study and research in the area of chemistry in Czechia and is one of the country's largest educational and research institutions focused on technical chemistry, chemical and biochemical technologies, material and chemical engineering, food chemistry, and environmental studies.

UCT Prague

The Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IOCB Prague) is a leading scientific institution in the Czech Republic, recognized internationally. Its primary mission is basic research in the fields of chemical biology and medicinal chemistry, organic and material oriented chemistry, chemistry of natural compounds, biochemistry and molecular biology, physical chemistry, theoretical chemistry, and analytical chemistry. 

Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences

Everything from the world of analytical chemistry in one place. We connect people in solving their problems. At Labrulez you will find all the necessary information easily, quickly and clearly. Stop searching and start finding.

LabRulez

Separation Science

Agilent Technologies

Organomation

Milestone

Phenomenex

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Shimadzu Corporation

Waters Corporation

<p><strong>Contaminants in the sample matrix can create chromatography issues, system downtime, and unreliable test results. Having clean samples can help prevent most of these problems. There are many options for sample cleanup.</strong></p>
<p>We’ll discuss the following options:</p>
<ul>
<li><p><strong>Solid phase extraction (SPE), which provides the cleanest sample.</strong></p>
</li>
<li><p><strong>“Targeted” filtration, which can remove specific interferences from the sample matrix and provides clean samples.</strong></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>In this talk, we’ll discuss tips for selecting, developing, and implementing SPE methods. We’ll also discuss newly developed targeted filtration options and their benefits.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Golnar Javadi (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>Golnar Javadi is an applications engineer providing online applications assistance and technical support for LC columns and supplies, Sample Preparation products, and Spectroscopy supplies.</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>Before joining Varian and then Agilent, Golnar worked in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries on method development and quality control. She also taught college level chemistry courses for a few years.</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>Golnar then joined Varian as a technical support specialist, providing customers with method development assistance and technical support on Sample Preparation (SPE, SLE, and Filtration), HPLC, GC, ToxiLab and DAT. After the Varian-Agilent merger, Golnar joined Agilent Technologies as an Applications Engineer. She provides technical support to customers on Sample Preparation products, Liquid Chromatography columns, and Spectroscopy supplies.</p>
</blockquote>


Agilent Technologies: Sample Cleanup: Method Development for Solid Phase Extraction and Beyond

Sample Cleanup: Method Development for Solid Phase Extraction and Beyond

We’ll discuss tips for selecting, developing, and implementing SPE methods. We’ll also discuss newly developed targeted filtration options and their benefits.

Sample Cleanup: Method Development for SPE

<p><strong>We invite you to join a hybrid event on October 15<sup>th</sup> to explore the latest solutions and workflows for overcoming environmental and food contaminant testing challenges.</strong></p><p>This event will be broadcast live from the laboratory at Thermo Fisher Scientific Customer Solutions Center (CSC) in Paris. You can join in person at one of our many 'satellite' venues worldwide, where we will offer an extended agenda, or participate remotely through the live broadcast.</p><p>During the live stream broadcast, you will meet our Customer Solution Centre specialist team and leading industry expert, John Quick, as they discuss innovative solutions to meet the ever-evolving testing demands. There will be plenty of time to ask these experts your questions.</p><p>The following sessions will be streamed all over Europe and beyond:</p><ul><li><strong>Detecting PFAS in drinking water to meet regulations across Europe</strong> – New automated sample preparation high-resolution MS solution to achieve parts per trillion detection limits.<br><i>Aristide Ganci,&nbsp;Senior Product Application Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific; Valérie Thibert, Senior Product Application Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific; Bénédicte Gauriat, Senior Product Application Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific</i></li><li><strong>New ready-to-go pesticide residue solution for faster, more confident results</strong><br><i>Zoe Julian, Product Marketing Specialist, Manager; Bénédicte Gauriat, Senior Product Application Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific; Julie Moriceau, Senior Product Application Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific</i></li><li><strong>Low-level contaminant testing in environmental water matrices</strong>&nbsp;– High-Resolution Accurate Mass GC-MS approach to meet future regulations<br><i>John Quick, Principal Scientist, ALS Environmental Ltd</i></li></ul><p>After the live stream concludes, 'satellite' locations offer a unique program onsite. Take this unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals, or join us to explore, network, and collaborate on your future projects. Scroll below to the venue of your choice to discover the individual agenda.</p><p>Participation is free of charge, registration is required.</p><p>For any questions about this event or regarding your registration, please email <a href="mailto:CMDEvents@thermofisher.com">CMDEvents@thermofisher.com</a>.</p><h3><strong>Preliminary agenda</strong></h3><h5><strong>10:15 Live streaming of this event to ‘satellite’ locations and online audience</strong></h5><h5><strong>10:30 Introduction</strong></h5><ul><li>Jeff Stubbs (Business Development Manager, Environment and Food Safety, Thermo Fisher Scientific)</li></ul><h5><strong>10:55 Detecting PFAS in drinking water to meet regulations across Europe - New automated sample preparation high-resolution MS solution to achieve ppt detection limits</strong></h5><ul><li>A Ganci, V Thibert and B Gauriat (Senior Product Application Specialists, Thermo Fisher Scientific)</li></ul><h5><strong>11:35 Break</strong></h5><h5><strong>12:05 New ready-to-go pesticide residue solution for faster, more confident results</strong></h5><ul><li>Z Julian, Product Marketing, B Gauriat, and J Moriceau (Senior Product Application Specialists Thermo Fisher Scientific)</li></ul><h5><strong>12:45 Low-level contaminant testing in environmental water matrices – high-resolution GCMS approach to meet future regulations</strong></h5><ul><li>John Quick (Principal Scientist, ALS Environmental Ltd)</li></ul><h5><strong>13:15 Closing comments</strong></h5><h5><strong>13:30 End of live streaming</strong></h5><div><div container-id="cq-colctrl-lt7" comp-id="B1"><div><div><div><div><div><div><blockquote><h3>How to attend?</h3><p>3 ways of attending:</p><p><strong>Customer Solution Centre (in-person event):&nbsp;</strong><br>Join the heart of the event at our Customer Solution Center in Paris, where the main agenda will be hosted and live-streamed worldwide to our ‘Satellite’ locations and our audience.</p><p><strong>Join a ‘Satellite’ location (in-person event):&nbsp;</strong><br>Our in-person ‘Satellite’ events will broadcast the main agenda live-streamed from our Customer Solution Center in Paris and supplement the day with local presentations, lab tours, or workshops. Take this opportunity to meet your Thermo Fisher representatives and industry experts from the region. Discover the individual agenda for your ‘Satellite’ location of interest.</p><p><strong>Online attendees (remote):&nbsp;</strong><br>Unable to travel to a ‘Satellite’ event? Not a problem! You can register to attend conveniently online from your desk or anywhere else through the live stream from our Customer Solutions Center in Paris.</p></blockquote></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

Thermo Scientific: Solutions for environmental and food contaminant testing

Solutions for environmental and food contaminant testing

New and advancing workflows to meet and exceed European regulations.

<h4><strong>The Waters 2024 Virtual Summer School - An Educational Journey to Master Food &amp; Environmental Analysis</strong></h4><p>Unlock the full potential of LC-MS techniques with our immersive and educational sessions at the Waters Virtual F&amp;E Late Summer School 2024. From September 24th to 26th, engage with leading experts and discover cutting-edge methods for environmental and food analysis.</p><h5><strong>Why attend?</strong></h5><ul><li><strong>Comprehensive Learning:</strong> Dive deep into advanced LC-MS techniques and gain practical knowledge to enhance your laboratory's analytical capabilities.</li><li><strong>Expert Insights:</strong> Learn from industry leaders and gain firsthand experience through detailed modules on chromatography, mass spectrometry, and sample preparation.</li><li><strong>Regulatory Compliance:</strong> Stay ahead with the latest insights on EU regulations for PFAS analysis in food and water, ensuring your lab meets stringent standards.</li></ul><h3><strong>Episode #5: General Sample Preparation | F&amp;E Summer School - Day 2 - Module 1</strong></h3><p>Sample preparation is a key aspect in the analytical workflow and heavily determines the quality of the analysis. Solid Phase Extraction is a fundamental sample preparation technique widely used across all areas of analytical chemistry. Whether new to SPE or seeking a refresher, this webinar will introduce the basics of sample preparation and provide practical insights and technical background on the benefits when choosing SPE over another form of sample preparation, especially for analytes in complex matrices, such as the ones often encountered in Food and Environmental analysis. Join us in exploring SPE key parameters and best practices for implementing successful SPE methods. The session will combine PowerPoint slides with videos describing good practices and showing a practical example on the complex analysis of PFAS.</p><p>Our guest speaker Chiara Sarti from Cranfield University, Bedford UK, will share her research results on the work with new dual layer cartridges to extract PFAS from different environmental samples.</p><h5><strong>What you'll learn:</strong></h5><ul><li>Understanding SPE fundamentals</li><li>Making SPE simple with water-wettable sorbents</li><li>Verifying successful SPE implementation</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter:&nbsp;</strong>Xavier Rodríguez (Business Development Manager Chemistry Group, Southern Europe, Waters)</p><p>Xavier is part of the European Market Development Team. He works as an Application Specialist with focus on sample prep and has more than 20 years of experience in solving sample prep challenges.</p><p><strong>Presenter:&nbsp;</strong>Chiara Sarti (Ph.D. Student, Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence)</p></blockquote>

Waters Corporation: The Waters 2024 Virtual Summer School

General Sample Preparation

Join us in exploring SPE key parameters and best practices for implementing successful SPE methods. 

<h4><strong>The Waters 2024 Virtual Summer School - An Educational Journey to Master Food &amp; Environmental Analysis</strong></h4><p>Unlock the full potential of LC-MS techniques with our immersive and educational sessions at the Waters Virtual F&amp;E Late Summer School 2024. From September 24th to 26th, engage with leading experts and discover cutting-edge methods for environmental and food analysis.</p><h5><strong>Why attend?</strong></h5><ul><li><strong>Comprehensive Learning:</strong> Dive deep into advanced LC-MS techniques and gain practical knowledge to enhance your laboratory's analytical capabilities.</li><li><strong>Expert Insights:</strong> Learn from industry leaders and gain firsthand experience through detailed modules on chromatography, mass spectrometry, and sample preparation.</li><li><strong>Regulatory Compliance:</strong> Stay ahead with the latest insights on EU regulations for PFAS analysis in food and water, ensuring your lab meets stringent standards.</li></ul><h3><strong>Episode #6: Automated Sample Preparation | F&amp;E Summer School - Day 2 - Module 2</strong></h3><p>This Module builds on the previous one by adding automation to the sample preparation methods. The Andrew+™ pipetting robot offers fully automated liquid handling using electronic pipettes and labware holders called Dominos for a full walk-away automation solution.</p><p>Creating the connected laboratory, Andrew+ is part of the OneLab™ ecosystem, executing laboratory protocols designed in OneLab software. This flexible architecture enables you to effortlessly transition from laborious manual pipetting procedures to error-free, fully-robotized lab workflows – without any knowledge of programming, laboratory robotics or automation engineering. and explains processes the Andrew+ pipetting robot can take over in your lab.</p><p>The European Union has adopted Commission Recommendation (EU) 2022/1431 to monitor PFAS in fruits, vegetables, milk and baby food. To achieve quantification at lowest levels of PFAS in food matrices, sample preparation is required which comprise of many pipetting steps and can be time-consuming and error prone. We will demonstrate an automate workflow for the analysis of PFAS in milk using a pipetting robot and stacked dual-phase SPE cartridges to meet EU 2022/1431 levels.</p><h5><strong>What you'll learn:</strong></h5><p>Possibilities to automat liquid handling processes in LC and LC-MS e.g.</p><ul><li>Serial dilution</li><li>Calibration curve</li><li>Solid Phase Extraction (SPE)</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter:&nbsp;</strong>Xavier Rodríguez (Business Development Manager Chemistry Group, Southern Europe, Waters)</p><p>Xavier is part of the European Market Development Team. He works as an Application Specialist with focus on sample prep and has more than 20 years of experience in solving sample prep challenges.</p><p><strong>Presenter:&nbsp;</strong>Daniel Ng PhD (Principal Scientist, Waters Corporation)</p><p>Daniel Ng received his PhD from the University of Manchester in mass spectrometry proteomics. He worked for 5 years at the Waters mass spectrometry headquarters in Wilmslow, UK, as a service support development engineer specializing in mass spectrometry instrumentation. In 2019, he took up a new role as a principal scientist at the International Food and Water Research Centre (Waters) in Singapore focusing on using advanced instrumentation to answer analytical challenges in the food and water industry. Since 2023, Daniel has lead the Food, Environmental and Material Science Analytical Professional Service team in the Asia-Pacific Region, developing analytical solutions to meet key challenges that customers face.</p></blockquote>

Automated Sample Preparation

The Andrew+™ pipetting robot offers fully automated liquid handling using electronic pipettes and labware holders.

<h4>Key Learning Points:</h4><ul><li><strong>Identify the common challenges associated with solid phase extraction methods</strong><br>&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Understand and troubleshoot the recovery, contamination and reproducibility issues</strong><br>&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Learn how to find and apply solutions to develop robust and reproducible extraction methods for their sample preparation needs</strong></li></ul><h4>Who Should Attend:</h4><ul><li>Any scientists who wants to learn about solid phase extraction and it’s associated challenges, common troubleshooting steps and solutions to develop robust and reproducible extraction methods for their sample preparation needs</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Presnter: </strong>Namrata Saxena (Technical Manager, Phenomenex)</p><p>Namrata is the Technical Manager for the Asia-Pacific region in Phenomenex and is based in Sydney, Australia. As a member of the global technical team, she is responsible for assisting external customers as well as internal marketing and sales teams of Phenomenex for multifarious technical queries. She specifically support company’s bio-products portfolio through external and internal seminars/webinars, trainings and also contribute in biologics related technical content creation.</p><p>Before joining Phenomenex she had worked as a Product Specialist and spent several years in stationary phase chemistry, column manufacturing and method development groups in a German company Bischoff Chromatography GmbH.</p><p>Namrata has a post graduate degree with specialization in Analytical Chemistry. Her competence and focus lies in biotherapeutics characterization through liquid chromatography, antibodies and oligonucleotide chemistry, gene therapy and new bio-therapeutic modalities.</p></blockquote>

Phenomenex: Solid Phase Extraction Troubleshooting Tips and Tricks

Solid Phase Extraction Troubleshooting Tips and Tricks

Identify the common challenges associated with solid phase extraction methods.

<p><strong>Sample preparation plays a significant role in GC–MS analysis, with various approaches available to enhance analytical sensitivity and provide a more comprehensive sample profile. Understanding the science behind microextraction techniques, such as SPME and sorptive extraction, enables chemists to optimize methods for challenging matrices, thus uncovering more from your sample.</strong></p><p>In this webinar, Professor Elia Psillakis from the Technical University of Crete will explore advanced sample preparation techniques for GC–MS. She will focus on evolving microextraction methods, including SPME, thin-film SPME, SPME Arrow, vacuum-assisted SPME, and HiSorb. Professor Psillakis will discuss the fundamentals of these extraction techniques and explain how a deeper understanding of the sample preparation workflow can lead to improved qualitative and quantitative GC–MS analysis, resulting in more accurate and efficient extractions.</p><p><strong>By attending this presentation, you will:</strong></p><ul><li>Understand the core scientific principles behind micro-extraction methods for GC–MS, including SPME and high-capacity extraction techniques</li><li>See how SPME is used in various applications, and how advanced sample concentration techniques can extend the scope of your analysis</li><li>Explore how vacuum-assisted extraction technologies improve sensitivity and efficiency in the analysis of complex samples</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Elia Psillakis (Professor, Aquatic Chemistry Laboratory, Technical University of Crete)</p><p>Elefteria (Elia) Psillakis is a Professor in Water Chemistry at the School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Greece. She is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal "<i>Advances in Sample Preparation</i>", Elsevier, Head of the Sample Preparation Network of the EuChemS-Division of Analytical Chemistry, and the Founder and Director of ExtraTECH Analytical Solutions, a spin-off company of the Technical University of Crete. From 2014–2016, she was the Vice Rector of Academic Affairs and Research at the Technical University of Crete.</p><p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Lucy Hearn (Application Specialist, Markes International)</p><p>Lucy Hearn received an MSc in Green Chemistry and sustainable industrial technologies from the University of York, UK, where her final-year project focused on the extraction and isolation of cannabinoids from hemp using supercritical CO<sub>2</sub> and Starbons. She later took up the role of application specialist at Markes, providing technical and application support to users around the world and developing applications using extraction and enrichment techniques for GC–MS.</p></blockquote>

Separation Science: Sorptive Extraction Fundamentals and Applications: Extracting More with SPME and HiSorb

Sorptive Extraction Fundamentals and Applications: Extracting More with SPME and HiSorb

We will focus on evolving microextraction methods, including SPME, thin-film SPME, SPME Arrow, vacuum-assisted SPME, and HiSorb.

Extracting More with SPME and HiSorb

<p><strong>The complete Solution for Food Analysis: Presented by Retsch, CEM, Shimadzu and Eltra</strong></p><p>Accurate and rapid food analysis is becoming increasingly important as regulations become stricter and consumers become more demanding. This expert day on food analysis will give you a comprehensive overview of the optimal steps from sample preparation to analysis, familiarize you with modern methods and bring you up to date.</p><p>Registration is free of charge and without obligation.</p><div><h3><strong>Reproducible sample preparation for food analysis&nbsp;</strong></h3><p>Food occurs in different consistencies and is often inhomogeneous. For meaningful analysis, food laboratories require representative samples, which makes homogenization necessary as part of sample preparation.</p><p>Ideally, this step should involve as little work as possible. The prepared subsample must represent both the laboratory sample and the initial sample. This would not be the case with an inhomogeneous sample, as some components of the initial sample could be over- or under-represented.</p></div><h5><strong>In this webinar you will learn more about:</strong></h5><ul><li>Homogenization, standard deviation, correct analysis values</li><li>How do I find the optimal method for my sample</li><li>Cryogenic grinding (dry ice, liquid nitrogen)</li><li>Suitable laboratory mills for homogenizing foodstuffs</li><li>Live demos of selected mills</li><li>Application examples</li><li>Grain size determination using sieve analysis</li></ul><blockquote><p><span data-bind="expander:{'expandText': moreButtonText(), 'userCollapseText': lessButtonText(), 'text':getWebinarInfo().description}"><strong>Presenter:</strong> Dr. Tanja Butt, Dr. Lena Weigold and Dr. Gerhard Beckers</span></p></blockquote><p><span data-bind="expander:{'expandText': moreButtonText(), 'userCollapseText': lessButtonText(), 'text':getWebinarInfo().description}">This webinar is part of a series of four webinars (Retsch, CEM, Shimadzu, Eltra). Please register for the time slot of each company which fits best. Americas should select the second time slot, Asia the first. Each presentation by the different companies requires an own registration. Here you can select the time slot for Retsch. For the other companies you need to visit the landingpage.</span></p>

Reproducible sample preparation for food analysis

For meaningful analysis, food laboratories require representative samples, which makes homogenization necessary as part of sample preparation.

<p><strong>This live panel discussion brings together experts from IDA and Agilent to explore market trends, quality assessment, and challenges in dairy testing. Key topics include detecting contaminants, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining product quality.</strong></p><p><strong>The panel will discuss advanced technologies for testing adulteration, pesticides, and heavy metals, and share tips on improving workflows and aligning with regulations. Attendees will also have the opportunity for live interaction with the panelists.</strong></p><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Prof. (Dr) J. B. Prajapati (Chairman, Indian Dairy Association (West Zone))</p><p>Professor (Dr.) Jashbhai B. Prajapati is a veteran Dairy Professional with 45 years of experience in research, teaching and professional manpower development. He is a technology graduate from Anand and Ph.D from NDRI and retired as Dean of the Faculty of Dairy Science, AAU, Anand. He worked as the Chairman of Verghese Kurien Centre of Excellence at IRMA and now the Chairman of IDA (West Zone). He is Vice President of National Academy of Dairy Science (India) apart from being member in several professional bodies. He is associated with FSSAI, NADSI, NDDB, IDF, Gut microbiota Foundation, SASNET and many other organizations. His core area of research is probiotics and functional dairy foods and he is the first Indian scientist to have deposited and whole genome sequenced two Indian probiotic cultures at IMTech, Chandigarh as the Indian Patent deposits. He is a well-travelled scholar with more than 500 publications.</p><p><strong>Presenter:&nbsp;</strong>Dr. Satish Kulkarni (Chairman, Indian Dairy Association (South Zone))</p><p>Dr. Satish Kulkarni earned both his Dairy Diploma and Doctoral degree in Dairy Technology from the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal/Bangalore. He conducted post-doctoral research in Germany for three years. As a scientist, he has guided numerous students at the master’s and doctoral levels.</p><p>Dr. Kulkarni has been honoured four times by the ICAR for team research and received the Best Teacher Award in 2008. He served as the Head of NDRI, Bangalore, from 2008 to 2015. Currently, he is a practicing advocate specializing in food law and works as a food regulatory consultant. He is the founder-partner of Dairy Skills &amp; Food Quality Academy and Legalwrax Business Solutions, Bangalore. Dr. Kulkarni has also served as the President of AFSTI, Mysore, Vice President of IDA, New Delhi, and is currently the Chairman of IDA (South Zone).</p><p><strong>Presenter:&nbsp;</strong>Dr. Rajesh Nair (Dy. Managing Director, NDDB - CALF Ltd.)</p><p>Dr. Rajesh Nair is currently working as Dy. Managing Director at NDDB CALF LTD, Anand, a wholly subsidiary National Dairy Development Board. He has professional experience spanning 30 years in the field of Testing &amp; Inspection of Food &amp; Agricultural products. He has held key leadership positions in several Government, Private and Multinational Companies. He has done his Bachelors, Masters, &amp; Ph.D. in Chemistry.</p><p>He is a member of the Scientific Panel of Method of Sampling and Analysis of FSSAI, a member of a few technical committees of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), standing committee member of Analytical Methods on Additives and Contaminants of IDF. He is also working closely with NABL in different disciplines. He has several publications on Analytical methods and validations of food &amp; Agricultural products and genetic materials in leading scientific journals.</p><p><strong>Presenter:&nbsp;</strong>Mr. Vivek Dhyani (Country Application Solutions Manager, Agilent Technologies India Pvt. Ltd.)</p><p>Mr. Vivek Dhyani is the Application Head and COE Manager at Agilent India. He is responsible for complete demo and Application Engineers’ (AE) management, as well as key workflow development. Prior to this, he served as the Product Manager for GC/GCMS at Agilent India and as a Product Specialist at Agilent Singapore, where he was responsible for technical support for GCMS across Singapore, Indonesia, and South Asia. He has over 20 years of experience in the fields of mass spectrometry and chromatography. Before his current role, he worked at Agilent India as a Product Specialist and Application Engineer for GC/GCMS. Additionally, he was associated with PerkinElmer for more than five years as an Application Specialist for Chromatography and LIMS, providing support to India, neighbouring countries, and the Middle East. Vivek is regularly invited to deliver seminars and training sessions on chromatography by government institutions and private companies.</p><p><strong>Presenter:&nbsp;</strong>Dr. Chandrasekar Kandaswamy (Business Manager, GC/MS, Agilent Technologies India Pvt. Ltd.)</p><p>Dr. Chandra completed his Ph.D. in Chemistry at NIT Trichy. With over 22 years of experience in analytical method development across the food safety, pharmaceutical, and fertilizer industries, he currently serves as a Product Manager for the GC and GCMS portfolio at Agilent. Chandra has extensive expertise in method development and validation. Before joining Agilent in 2009, he worked in various roles within the fertilizer, food, and pharmaceutical sectors. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and has published six analytical findings in reputed journals. He enjoys engaging with the scientific community and has delivered numerous national and international oral and poster presentations. Outside of work, Chandra loves practicing yoga and spending time with his family.</p><p>The Ph.D. in chemistry from the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, is a dedication to education and research. Moreover, his active engagement with the scientific community through numerous national and international presentations, in both oral and poster formats towards commitment to sharing knowledge and fostering dialogue within the field with 10 different journal publications.</p></blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Panel discussion on improving dairy safety and quality frameworks

Panel discussion on improving dairy safety and quality frameworks

The panel will discuss advanced technologies for testing adulteration, pesticides, and heavy metals, and share tips on improving workflows.

Improving dairy safety and quality frameworks

<p><strong>In the world of analytical chemistry, efficiency is key. As laboratories strive to enhance their sample preparation processes for GC-MS and LC-MS analyses, one technique stands out: nitrogen blowdown evaporation. This method, which uses a stream of nitrogen gas to dry down liquid samples, has revolutionized the way we concentrate samples post-extraction. Let's dive into how this process can dramatically improve your lab's efficiency, with insights from real-world case studies.</strong></p><p><strong>The Organomation Legacy</strong></p><p>For 65 years, Organomation has been at the forefront of nitrogen evaporator manufacturing. The company's founder, Dr. Neal McNiven, a chemist with a mechanical bent, invented the first commercially successful multiple sample evaporator while working as a researcher at the Worcester Foundation. This innovation set the stage for the advancements we see today.</p><h3><strong>Case Studies: Real-World Impact</strong></h3><h4><strong>University of Cincinnati: From Hours to Minutes</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>The Challenge:</strong> The Department of Chemical &amp; Environmental Engineering needed to dry 10 samples at a time, each with a 5ml starting volume of methanol or acetonitrile, to complete dryness.</li><li><strong>The Solution: </strong>A 12-position N-EVAP nitrogen evaporator.</li><li><strong>The Results:</strong><ul><li>Time reduction: From over 2 hours per sample to just 1 hour for all 10 samples</li><li>Precision improvement: Better control of gas flow to each sample</li><li>Enhanced sensitivity: Ability to evaporate to complete dryness with ease</li></ul></li></ul><h4><strong>University of Chicago: Longevity and Adaptability</strong></h4><p>Dr. Poorna Yalagala's research on DHA's role in brain function showcases the longevity and adaptability of Organomation's equipment:</p><ul><li>Used an N-EVAP for over 15 years</li><li>Recently upgraded to a 24-sample capacity dry bath N-EVAP</li><li>Appreciates the flexibility to fit various test tube sizes</li></ul><h4><strong>Microbac Laboratories: Scaling Up for PFAS Analysis</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>The Challenge: </strong>Need for higher sample capacity within limited benchtop space.</li><li><strong>The Solution:</strong> Transition from N-EVAPs to a MULTIVAP batch evaporator.</li><li><strong>The Benefits:</strong><ul><li>Doubled sample capacity in the same space</li><li>Digital features like thermostat and timer</li><li>400% increase in efficiency for PFAS analysis</li></ul></li></ul><h4><strong>Choosing the Right Evaporator</strong></h4><p><strong>When selecting an evaporator, consider:</strong></p><ul><li>Batch size and total sample volume</li><li>Variety of vial sizes used</li><li>Specific application needs</li></ul><p>For academic settings with diverse protocols, the N-EVAP's flexibility shines. Commercial labs running consistent applications might benefit more from high-capacity batch evaporators like the MULTIVAP.</p><h4><strong>Why Partner with Organomation?</strong></h4><ul><li>Lifetime support at no cost</li><li>Free virtual training for new users</li><li>Money-back performance guarantee</li><li>Some of the longest standard warranties in the industry</li><li>Trusted by industry leaders like Agilent and Waters</li></ul><p>Nitrogen blowdown evaporation is more than just a technique; it's a game-changer for laboratories seeking to optimize their sample preparation processes. Whether you're in academic research or commercial testing, the right evaporator can significantly boost your efficiency, precision, and overall productivity. As we continue to push the boundaries of analytical chemistry, tools like those provided by Organomation will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of laboratory science.</p><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>David Oliva (General Manager of Organomation)</p><p>One of Oliva’s favorite responsibilities is visiting academic institutions and environmental laboratories around the world. He was named to the 40 Under Forty Class of 2022 from the Worcester Business Journal and is a winner of a B2B Innovator Award from Demand Gen Report.</p></blockquote>

Organomation: Improving Sample Preparation Efficiency - The Power of Nitrogen Blowdown Evaporation

Improving Sample Preparation Efficiency - The Power of Nitrogen Blowdown Evaporation

Learn how nitrogen blowdown evaporation can streamline your GC-MS and LC-MS sample prep. Real case studies show its impact on lab efficiency.

Sample Preparation - Power of Nitrogen Evaporation

<div><div><div><p><strong>The increasing use of plastics in our daily lives and in manufacturing processes often culminates in a slow degradation of the materials and the subsequent contamination of our environment and food chain. Several studies are evaluating how plastics break down into smaller parts, known as microplastics (MPs), and how they impact the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems.&nbsp;</strong></p><p>In this webinar we will present two new methods for microplastic determinations that aim to simplify and expedite this type of analysis. Featuring presentations by two experts in the field, we will see how the use of microwave technology has been applied to microplastic determinations by two different analytical techniques.</p></div></div></div><h5><strong>What you will learn:</strong></h5><ul><li>How microwave solvent extraction can be applied to MPs determinations</li><li>How to combine microwave extraction to Py-GC–MS</li><li>Microwave digestion followed by gravimetric determination of MPs</li><li>The use of the microwave for selective digestion</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Prof. Jacopo La Nasa (Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa )</p><p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Prof. Cezar Augusto Bizzi (Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM) Departamento de Química (DQ) Setor de Química Industrial e Ambiental (SQIA))</p><p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Gianpaolo Rota (Application Specialist at Milestone)</p></blockquote>

Milestone: Novel methodology for microplastic determination 

Novel methodology for microplastic determination 

Learn how microwave extraction and digestion simplify microplastics analysis, including Py-GC–MS workflows and gravimetric determination of MPs.

GCMS webinars focusing on Sample prep - page 5