VENDOR SEMINARS

Stationary Phase Selectivity: A Powerful Tool for Challenging Separations

Stationary phase chemistry is one of the most influential variables in chromatographic method development, providing a powerful means of controlling selectivity and achieving successful separations. While the wide range of commercially available stationary phase chemistries provides extensive opportunities to optimise selectivity, navigating these choices can be challenging, often leading to suboptimal column selection and missed opportunities to improve separation performance or speed of analysis. 

This seminar will explore why stationary phase selectivity is one of the most powerful tools available to chromatographers for method development. Approaches for characterizing selectivity, including the Tanaka and Neue methodologies, will be discussed as practical tools for understanding and differentiating column chemistries. These concepts will then be used to demonstrate how stationary phase design can be rationalized and how a deeper understanding of selectivity can guide more effective column selection. 

Application examples will highlight the impact of stationary phase chemistry across a range of analytes, including small molecules and peptides. The seminar will also examine how rational stationary phase selection can be incorporated into streamlined workflows for reversed-phase LC, HILIC and SFC method development. 

Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how strategic column selection can enhance resolution, reduce method development time, and enhance overall method performance. The concepts presented will provide a practical framework for scientists seeking a more structured, efficient, and knowledge-driven approach to method development.

Dr Matt James

Matt James is a Senior Research Scientist at Avantor Sciences. Matt gained his PhD at University of Bristol and over the last 15 years, he has worked within the Technical Support, Applications and R&D teams within Hichrom, now part of Avantor. Recent focuses have been HPLC/UHPLC method transfer and translation, the use of solid core phases, development of next generation LC stationary phases and the development of LC methods for key applications, such as the analysis of nitrosamines and PFAS by LC-MS/MS. 

Three New Reasons to Rethink Your Workflow

Dr. Gesa Schad, Shimadzu Europa GmbH
Dr. Waldemar Weber, Shimadzu Europa GmbH

Join us for an engaging seminar introducing three new analytical solutions designed to help laboratories work smarter, respond faster, improve robustness, and achieve greater confidence in their results. As analytical demands continue to grow, laboratories need technologies that not only deliver strong performance, but also enhance efficiency, flexibility, and ease of operation. This seminar will highlight how the latest innovations can streamline workflows, support complex applications, and create new opportunities for productivity across the laboratory.

1. Nexera IC – new compact ion chromatograph 
   This new ion chromatography solution is designed to deliver reliable, high-sensitivity analysis for a anions and cations. With a focus on stability, ease of operation, and workflow efficiency, it helps laboratories achieve consistent results while supporting applications in environmental, food, chemical, and pharmaceutical testing.
2. Nexera X4 – No more compromise in UHPLC analysis
   This next-generation UHPLC platform is designed for laboratories that demand both ultra-high performance and robust operation, without compromise. Combining improved usability with dependable, consistent results, it helps optimize throughput, improve data quality, and simplify daily workflows across both routine and advanced analyses.
3. GCMS-TQ RX Series – Enhanced Sensitivity and Reliability in GC-MS/MS Analysis 
   Our new advanced triple quadrupole GC-MS/MS systems are engineered to provide highly sensitive, selective, and dependable analysis for complex samples. Designed to support challenging applications such as trace-level detection and regulatory testing, they enable laboratories to strengthen analytical confidence, improve reproducibility, and manage demanding workflows more effectively.

Join us to explore the latest innovations and gain valuable insights into our technologies. Register today to secure your place.

Advantages of Superficially Porous Particle Columns for HPLC and LC-MS

Stephanie Schuster, Joshua McBee, Conner McHale, Peter Pellegrinelli
Advanced Materials Technology, 3521 Silverside Rd., Wilmington, DE 19810

Superficially porous particle (SPP) columns have existed in one form or another since the late 1960s. However, the benefits of the particle with the solid silica core surrounded by the porous silica shell were not realized for small molecules until 2006 when the first sub-3-µm superficially porous particle columns were introduced. This particle technology enabled efficiencies similar to sub-2-µm fully porous particles (FPPs) without the need for ultra-high pressure capable instrumentation. As a result of the high efficiencies and lower back pressure, the columns may be run at faster flow rates to enable high throughput separations. Additionally, the SPP columns are rugged and offer long column lifetimes. This presentation will highlight comparisons between SPP columns and FPP columns for separations of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and oligonucleotides.

Virtual Chromatographic Modelling Software For Optimising Separation Of Isobaric Compounds in GC-MS Methods

Sebastian Prisacariu, Anna Pulte

There is a constant balance for high-throughput laboratories between method run times for large panel analyses and resolution of analytes across these panels to allow sufficient data quality. Developing such methods is often time consuming and expensive for laboratories, as dedicated resources are required to test methods iteratively. Chromatographic modelling tools are becoming increasingly popular for method setup and refinement in high-throughput laboratories looking to minimise instrument and analyst downtime. These tools traditionally offer column phase and method condition suggestions based on the separation of a list of analytes, which can then be modified to improve specific separations as necessary. 

When developing gas chromatography (GC) methods, shortening cycle time often comes at the cost of compounds co-eluting, with the expectation that a mass selective detector, such as a mass spectrometer (MS) will allow resolution through ion-selective quantitation. An issue arises when the method attempts to analyse isobaric compounds, which cannot be distinguished by MS, and as a result labs must rely upon physical separation via column phase chemistry. 

As GC-MS techniques continue to be adopted by laboratories, there is a need for more tools that consider mass data for analytes when optimising large panel separations. The virtual chromatographic modelling tool used in this study is built with mass spectrum data for compounds included in libraries. When operating in “MS mode”, the software identifies isobaric compounds and prioritises their separation when making recommendations regarding column phase and method conditions. For those using non-mass selective detection methods, the tool is easily toggled to “FID mode” for users interested in resolving all compounds, regardless of specific mass, allowing for flexibility in instrumentation. Results help labs save time and resources in method development and refinement by considering the instrumentation involved in the model. 

ASOs, ADCs, and Other Therapeutics: Advanced Characterization with Novel Reversed-Phase Columns and Integrated LC–MS Platform

Biotherapeutics are becoming increasingly structurally diverse, placing greater demands on analytical platforms that can support efficient development and regulatory readiness. Reversed-phase chromatography (RPC) remains a widely adopted and adaptable technique, supporting applications that range from oligonucleotide analysis to detailed protein characterization and post-translational modification assessment. 

This seminar explores the integration of a macroporous, monodisperse reversed-phase column with a next-generation bioinert LC system for the analysis of two emerging classes of biotherapeutics. Antisense oligonucleotides were examined under optimized chromatographic conditions, using a design-of-experiments strategy to evaluate how ion-pairing reagents influence both LC separation and downstream MS performance. The platform was further applied to antibody–drug conjugates, combining RPC with Orbitrap mass spectrometry to support multi-level characterization. Intact, sub-unit, and bottom-up analyses enabled drug-to-antibody ratio determination alongside detailed PTM profiling — including glycosylation, oxidation, and deamidation — under native and stress conditions. Collectively, these studies demonstrate a streamlined and adaptable workflow for comprehensive biotherapeutic characterization. 

Sara Carillo, Ph.D. 

Bioanalytical Research Lead, Characterization and Comparability Laboratory National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), Dublin, Ireland 

Sara Carillo completed her Ph.D. in chemical sciences in 2013 at the University of Naples Federico II, where she focused on the structural characterization of polysaccharides and glycoconjugates from Gram-negative bacteria using NMR and mass spectrometry techniques. In 2015, she joined the CCL group at NIBRT, led by Prof. Jonathan Bones. She began her postdoctoral research investigating the effects of extractables and leachables from single-use bioreactors on both the CHO cell N-glycome and the monoclonal antibodies they produce. She currently serves as Bioanalytical Research Lead at NIBRT, where her work centers on developing new mass spectrometry–based analytical approaches to enable deeper and more accessible understanding of biomanufacturing processes and the structural complexity of biopharmaceuticals. 

Sukhdev Bangar 

Senior Product Marketing Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Hemel Hempstead, UK 

Sukhdev graduated from De Montfort University (UK) with a BSc. in Pharmaceutical Sciences. After which he worked in the Pharmaceutical industry at GSK & Astra Zeneca performing LC & LC-MS analyses. From 2005 till 2023 Sukhdev worked various roles at Waters Corporation; LC-MS applications, Pharma LC-MS Demo group leader and HPLC Product manager. In his current role at Thermo Fisher Scientific he is responsible for marketing activities for the Vanquish analytical LC’s product portfolio. In this role, he represents the voice of the customer helping shape the future of Vanquish LC systems.