<div>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.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.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.</div><div><h3>Interview with Filipa Oliveira: Pioneering tubular MXenes for supercapacitor energy storage</h3><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"><h5>Congratulations on receiving the JUNIOR STAR grant. What does this achievement mean for you and how will it influence your next steps?</h5>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.<h5>Why are tubular MXenes so innovative for energy storage?</h5>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.<h5>How did your scientific interest lead you to this field?</h5>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.<h5>What challenges have you encountered?</h5>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.<h5>What motivates you most about working at UCT Prague?</h5>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.<h5>How do&nbsp;you see your professional development going in the future?</h5>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.<h5>You are looking for new team members. What kind of students or scientists do&nbsp;you need?</h5>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.<h3>Interview with Stella Gonsales: Catalysis as a&nbsp;key to polymer recycling</h3><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"><h5>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?</h5>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.<h5>Could you explain your research in layperson’s&nbsp;terms?</h5>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.<h5>What makes the JUNIOR STAR grant particularly important for your research and career development?</h5>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.<h5>What collaborations support your research?</h5>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.<h5>What advice would you give young scientists aiming to succeed?</h5>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.<h5>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?</h5>Wichterle’<s>’</s>s&nbsp;innovative spirit motivates me to push creative boundaries and pursue novel solutions in sustainable chemistry.<h5>What are your visions for the future?</h5>I&nbsp;aim to build a&nbsp;research group that advances sustainable polymer recycling, contributing to environmental responsibility and the circular economy.<h5>You are recruiting people for your team. What skills do&nbsp;they need to have?</h5>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.</div>

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

News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 06, 2026

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 Nature Chemical Biology.<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"><div>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.In their study, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cahova.group.uochb.cz/en">Dr. Hana Cahová</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.The work was significantly shaped by Valentina Serianni from Hana Cahová’s team, who demonstrated the ability of dinucleoside polyphosphates to initiate gene transcription, and by Jana Škerlová, 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.Hana Cahová adds: “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.”<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"><div>Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) was central to the project. This part of the work was led by Dr. Tomáš Kouba, one of the authors of the study. “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,” he explains.Last year, IOCB Prague opened a new <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cryoem.group.uochb.cz/en">cryo-EM center</a> 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.<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"><blockquote><h4>The Original article</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41589-025-02134-5">Molecular insight into 5′ RNA capping with NpnNs by bacterial RNA polymerase</a></h4>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;Nat. Chem. Biol. 21 (2026)<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><h6>licensed 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>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 Thermus thermophilus. 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.</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

GERSTEL

Phenomenex

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Restek Corporation

SelectScience

VWR/Avantor

Waters Corporation

Testing for pesticides, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and other semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) traditionally requires labour-intensive sample handling and preparation that utilise large sample and solvent quantities at a considerable cost for our environmental analytical chemistry testing laboratories.
Join this webinar and discover an automated workflow to reduce solvent usage and costs, increase sample throughput, and improve data quality.
In this webinar, Dan Carrier, a specialist at ThermoFisher Scientific, will discuss how liquid-liquid extractions for SVOC analysis can be automated for high throughput environmental testing using the Thermo Scientific TriPlus RSH SMART autosampler coupled to GC-MS. Dan will share customer experiences with automation and a recent collaboration with John Quick at ALS Environmental using Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction (DLLME) for environmental contaminants. A video will show the instrumentation in action!
Learning points:
<ul>
<li>How to significantly reduce labor-time for sample preparation
</li>
<li>How to save costs on solvent usage and reduce waste 
</li>
<li>How to improve data quality and reliability through automation 
</li>
<li>How to increase confidence in meeting regulatory requirements
</li>
</ul>
Who should attend:
<ul>
<li>Environmental and water testing laboratories 
</li>
<li>Laboratory scientists and technicians using GC 
</li>
<li>Analytical chemistry laboratory managers
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dan Carrier (Senior Applications GC &amp; GC-MS Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Dan Carrier is a Senior Applications GC Specialist at Thermo Fisher Scientific where he is developing analytical methods and providing customer support in GC and GC/MS. He is a strong advocate of Laboratory Automation and he has been working on Automated Sample Preparation methods for many years. Dan has previously worked at GSK and Anatune.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Daniela Cavagnino (Product Marketing Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Dr. Daniela Cavagnino received a Master Degree in Chemistry at the University of Milan, Italy. She started her career in gas chromatography at Thermo Fisher Scientific spending several years in the R&amp;D laboratories working on GC technology innovation and more than 15 years in product and marketing management roles promoting GC/GCMS technology and applications.
</blockquote>

Thermo Scientific: Reducing costs for environmental companies through advances in automation

Reducing costs for environmental companies through advances in automation

Automated workflow to reduce solvent usage and costs, increase sample throughput, and improve data quality.

Reducing costs for environmental companies

In this session, join Pascal Fuchsmann, Head of Flavor Analytics at the Agroscope research center, and Stefan Cretnik, Product Manager at CTC Analytics as they discuss a fully automated approach to vacuum in-tube extraction (V-ITEX), a simple and fully automated technique using PAL system autosamplers.
The application examples include flavors, fragrances, off-flavors, pesticides, and biomarkers by extractions directly from the food sample matrix, such as honey, bee wax, cheese, onions, blood, and urine.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Ederina Ninga (Postdoc, Research Group for Analytical Food Chemistry, Danish Technical University)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Gwen Lim (Specialist for automated sample preparation, CTC Analytics)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Thomas Preiswerk (Senior Account Manager, CTC Analytics)
</blockquote>

SelectScience: Analysis of flavors, pesticides, and biomarkers directly from complex food matrix using the automated vacuum in-tube extraction (V-ITEX)

Analysis of flavors, pesticides, and biomarkers directly from complex food matrix using the automated vacuum in-tube extraction (V-ITEX)

Fully automated approach to vacuum in-tube extraction (V-ITEX).

Automated vacuum in-tube extraction (V-ITEX)

Join Ederina Ninga from the Danish National Food Institute, Gwen Lim and Thomas Preiswerk from CTC Analytics, will discuss a novel workflow that allows the automatic preparation of calibration standards, automatic sample dilution, and automatic clean-up of sample extracts on one instrument.
Furthermore, discover how miniaturized automated solutions are reducing errors, improving analytical consistency, and protecting the environment in one convenient approach.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Pascal Fuchsmann (Head of Flavor Analytics)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Stefan Cretnik (Product Manager)
</blockquote>

SelectScience: Advantages of automated and miniaturized µ-SPE clean-up in pesticide residue analysis

Advantages of automated and miniaturized µ-SPE clean-up in pesticide residue analysis

Novel workflow that allows the automatic preparation of calibration standards.

Advantages of automated and miniaturized µ-SPE clean-up

The use of sample preparation to provide enhanced performance is reviewed for the analysis of biological fluids.
The comprehensive investigation into different sample preparation techniques will determine the effect on recovery, matrix effects and matrix removal. It is shown that the use of protein precipitation can provide robust data, however some of the underlying information demonstrates that this approach may not always be suitable. Data will be presented which demonstrates the effect of changing the sample preparation technique on the retention of phospholipids and the impact that this can have on detection robustness. Finally, the impact of sample preparation will be investigated with real samples provided from an endangered species. This part of the presentation will investigate the use of solvent extraction in an approach to determine key biomarkers that will ultimately be applied to optimising captive environments to lower stress levels.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Tony Edge (R&amp;D Manager, Avantor Sciences)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Tony Edge is R&amp;D Manager at Avantor Sciences, heading a team of specialist scientists in manufacturing and developing next generation stationary phases for HPLC. He has worked in both manufacturing and also industry, having periods of employment at LGC and also AstraZeneca as well as ThermoFisherScientific and latterly Agilent Technologies. In 2008, he was fortunate enough to be awarded the Desty memorial lecture for his contributions to innovating separation science, and in the same year also won a clinical excellence award from AstraZeneca. He is currently the President of the UK chromatographic Society and also the chair of the permenent scientific committee for the ISC, as well as being the chair for the next ISC which is due to be held in Liverpool in 2024.
</blockquote>

Avantor: Understanding the importance of sample preparation for the analysis of biological samples

Understanding the importance of sample preparation for the analysis of biological samples

Understanding the importance of sample preparation for the analysis of biological samples.

Sample preparation for the analysis of biological samples

Key Learning Points:
<ul>
<li>Learn different sample preparation techniques, including solid support liquid extraction, Quechers and SPE
</li>
<li>How to develop a SPE method based on sample matrix and compound properties
</li>
<li>The challenge and workflow in the food Industry
</li>
</ul>
Who Should Attend:
<ul>
<li>Any beginner or intermediate scientists looking to learn more about sample preparation</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Grace Guo (Senior Technical Specialist, Phenomenex)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Grace graduated from the Johns Hopkins University with a Master’s degree in Material Science and Engineering in 2014. In her graduate study, she developed a low-voltage organic phototransistor with an organic small molecule. After her graduation she moved from the east coast to west coast because she loves the all year long sunshine in South California.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
She spent 3 years in a start-up company as Device Scientist doing single walled carbon nanotube separation and making thin film transistor with them. Most of her experience with Flash system are gained from there. In 2017, she joined Phenomenex as a Technical Specialist supporting globally, especially the Asia-Pacific area. Bilingual in Chinese and English makes it easy for her to communicate with customers in both US and China.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
At Phenomenex she has more opportunity to have hands-on experience in HPLC, GC and SPE. Discussing the crazy troubleshooting cases with other technical members improves her chromatographic skills every day!
</blockquote>

Phenomenex: Sample Prep for Crude Extraction Removal & SPE Method and Development

Sample Prep for Crude Extraction Removal & SPE Method and Development

Learn different sample preparation techniques, including solid support liquid extraction, Quechers and SPE.

Sample Prep for Crude Extraction Removal & SPE Method

Seeing everything, and as low as possible, with GC and MS is a function of selectivity and sensitivity: get as much as you can on column, and as best as you can, don&#39;t favor one set of compounds over another.
At some point a one microliter injection of a sample fails this criteria; what next? Concentration!
We will focus on how to concentrate analytes introduced via liquid, headspace, SPME, thermal desorption, and more, all using the latest advancements in a Peltier cooled, valveless, and simple to understand dynamic focusing system for your GC.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Kurt Thaxton (International Product Manager, Gerstel)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Kurt Thaxton is an International Product Manager for GERSTEL, a German manufacturer of thermal desorption, pyrolysis, and other means of sample preparation and sample introduction for GC- and LC-MS.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
For over twenty years, Kurt has been a user of thermal desorption and pyrolysis as a research scientist at International Paper and later as a Product Specialist for Varian Inc. Later Kurt became involved in both the commercial and technical aspects of these techniques at Markes International and now GERSTEL.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Kurt also serves actively in different capacities at SAE, ASTM, AIHA, and ISO. Kurt has an M.S. in Analytical Chemistry from The Ohio State University where he focused on using mass spectrometry to solve analytical problems; MS remains a central interest and focus of Kurt&#39;s work today.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: New Advances in Pre-Concentration for GC-MS: Seeing More and Lower

New Advances in Pre-Concentration for GC-MS: Seeing More and Lower

How to concentrate analytes introduced via liquid, headspace, SPME, thermal desorption, and more, all using the latest advancements in a Peltier.

New Advances in Pre-Concentration for GC-MS

The determination of very volatile organic compounds (VVOCs) becomes increasingly difficult with rising volatility.
For low-boiling compounds, a strong sorbent is necessary for trapping and focusing, but the disadvantage of these sorbents is that they are hydrophilic. Low or cryogenic temperatures can be used for trapping and focusing, but they also do not solve the water management problem either. Therefore, a solution for effective water management is needed that doesn’t depend on either using strong, hydrophilic sorbents or trapping/focusing temperatures.
By using a technique developed at GERSTEL called Dynamic Focusing, very light VVOCs like propylene and chloromethane can be trapped effectively at +10 °C using a single relatively hydrophobic sorbent. The higher temperature prevents water from freezing in the trap, and a single, relatively hydrophobic sorbent reduces the amount of water trapped.
By using Dynamic Focusing, the system can produce results that are compliant with air methods such as TO-17 and ISO 16000-6. The technique is also both cryogen-free and valve-free. The single sorbent is forward-flushed, without the need for backflushing or an additional conditioning step due to the omission of molecular sieve-based sorbents. The valve-less nature of the process reduces carryover, contamination, and expenses associated with regular valve replacement. Additionally, there are no Teflon-based valves or other components in the sample pathway, further reducing the risk of false positives or false negatives for PFAS and related analyses.
The theory and mechanism of Dynamic Focusing will be discussed in comparison to traditional 2-stage processes (‘static focusing’). Examples based on the analysis of VVOCs and VOCs in atmospheres will be presented, as well as analytical figures of merit (including those from a recent successful round-robin test using Dynamic Focusing).
<blockquote>
Presenter: Kurt Thaxton (International Product Manager, Gerstel)
</blockquote>

Gerstel: Dynamic Focusing: A New Technique for Focusing VVOCs and Managing Water in Automated Ambient Air Analysis

Dynamic Focusing: A New Technique for Focusing VVOCs and Managing Water in Automated Ambient Air Analysis

The theory and mechanism of Dynamic Focusing for VVOCs analysis in Automated Ambient Air Analysis.

A New Technique for Focusing VVOCs and Managing Water

The air space between soil particles can be filled with a variety of gasses. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from contaminated soil or groundwater can diffuse into the soil gas.
Unlike in the atmosphere, soil gas cannot quickly diffuse out, resulting in potentially higher VOC concentrations than in ambient air. Further, groundwater flow can spread soil gas contamination over a large area, and soil gas migration can lead to vapor intrusion into buildings, exposing occupants to VOCs and related health hazards. 
This webinar will provide an overview of soil gas collection and analysis, including sampling techniques (e.g., canisters and thermal desorption tubes) and vapor intrusion testing basic strategies.
These topics will be presented on: 
<ul>
<li>Learn about soil gas and vapor intrusion monitoring.
</li>
<li>Understand the different techniques used for analysis.
</li>
<li>Learn how to collect and analyze these types of samples.
</li>
</ul>

Restek: Soil Gas and Vapor Intrusion Sampling

Soil Gas and Vapor Intrusion Sampling

Overview of soil gas collection and analysis, including sampling techniques and vapor intrusion testing basic strategies.

Traditional QuEChERS clean-up of food and agricultural sample matrices for pesticide residue analysis relies on the dispersive solid phase extraction (dSPE) technique.
For analytical laboratories using dSPE workflows, the sample is shaken with dispersed SPE media to remove unwanted matrix components that negatively impact data quality. In this webinar, we will present a new technique that simplifies QuEChERS clean-up and enhances analytical performance when compared to traditional dSPE. ISOLUTE® cSPE for QuEChERS columns allow for a convenient, flow-through clean-up workflow for both AOAC and EN QuEChERS techniques. This new workflow eliminates several time-consuming processes, such as capping, shaking, de-capping, and sample transfer. In addition to labor reduction, the ISOLUTE® cSPE for QuEChERS process is more effective at removing unwanted matrix components. Compared to traditional dSPE, extracts processed using cSPE columns result in cleaner analytical baselines, making sample analysis easier, more accurate, and more reliable.
By attending this presentation, you will learn:
<ul>
<li>How to enhance analytical performance, making sample analysis easier, more accurate, and reliable.
</li>
<li>How to simplify sample preparation workflows by eliminating processing steps.
</li>
</ul>
Who should attend:
<ul>
<li>Analytical laboratories performing chemical residue analysis such as pesticides, fungicides, and insecticides.
</li>
<li>Laboratories testing food, agricultural, and cannabis samples.
</li>
<li>Lab bench, sample preparation, and extraction chemists.
</li>
<li>Lab analytical chemists performing gas and liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (GCMS &amp; LCMS).
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Evan Walters (MSc) (Market Segment Manager, Biotage)
</blockquote>
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Evan Walters is passionate about science and analytical chemistry in environmental, food, and agriculture markets. A trained environmental chemist and geochemist, Evan uses his background in analytical chemistry to connect laboratories with products and workflow solutions to ensure their success. Evan received a Master of Science in Geochemistry from Southern Illinois University and is a published scientific author.
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Separation Science: Improving pesticide residue analysis following AOAC and EN methods with a new QuEChERS cSPE cleanup technique

Improving pesticide residue analysis following AOAC and EN methods with a new QuEChERS cSPE cleanup technique

New technique that simplifies QuEChERS clean-up and enhances analytical performance when compared to traditional dSPE.

Pesticide residue analysis & new QuEChERS column SPE cleanup

Whether it is as routine as pipetting to normalize the concentration of your samples for downstream analysis, to plate reformatting/dilutions, to prepping samples for more complex sample preparation protocols, such as digestion, before analysis - time to results is critical.
Each manual intervention needs to be documented in a laboratory notebook. Any mistake along the way can cost time and money. Often, laboratories rely on experts to process these samples for more complex workflows to minimize the chances of failure due to human error. This is largely inefficient and leaves labs in a difficult situation if that person changes jobs or is out of the office. Wouldn’t it be nice to not have to worry about human error or document traceability, and be able to run your assays at anytime, 24/7?
Even though your workflows are complex, automating them doesn’t need to be. Join us for this seminar where we will introduce how you can spend your valuable time on experimental design and analysis, while the Andrew+™ robot does the pipetting and sample preparation and connected OneLab™ software captures your experimental records in a compliant-ready environment.
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Presenter: Meagan Callis (Principal Product Marketing Manager, Waters Corporation)
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Meagan Callis is the Principal Product Marketing Manager for Waters laboratory automation portfolio, where she focuses on new product innovations, partnership opportunities, and global strategy. Prior to joining Waters, Meagan worked in the pharmaceutical and medical device industry as an LC method development chemist, developing and validating analytical methods in regulated environments. She is based out of Atlanta, GA and her hobbies include cooking and spending time with her English Bulldog, Tugamus.
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Waters Corporation:  Increased Efficiency for Routine Biopharma Workflows with Flexible Lab Automation

 Increased Efficiency for Routine Biopharma Workflows with Flexible Lab Automation

How you can spend your valuable time on experimental design and analysis, while the Andrew+ robot and OneLab sw does the pipetting and sample preparation.

GCMS webinars focusing on Sample prep - page 8