Authors


Claire Bramwell

Latest:

GSH Conjugate Metabolite Identification with a Hybrid Triple- Quadrupole–Linear Ion-Trap Instrument and Automated Software-Driven Method Development

In drug discovery, determining information about the extent of metabolism and the elucidation of metabolite structures is a vital step for lead optimization and drug scaffold refinement. The identification and characterization of metabolites plays an important role in both the drug discovery and development phases, as unsuitable pharmacokinetics (bioavailability and drug distribution), toxicity, and adverse drug reactions might be linked to metabolic instability. Historically, metabolite identification was carried out after a compound had been chosen for drug development. However, to reduce candidate failures attributed to toxicity effects, many pharmaceutical companies now conduct these experiments in the earliest phases of candidate drug selection.


Dr. Lindsay Cole

Latest:

Comparison of Secondary Structures of Similar Proteins Using Automated CD

In this study, far-UV CD spectra of eight different mammalian serum albumins were measured repeatedly using automated CD spectroscopy. Two independent methods of normalizing the CD data were used to eliminate the need for accurate knowledge of protein concentration or extinction coefficient. The normalized far-UV data, representative of secondary structure, were compared to determine if there were statistically significant differences between samples. The two normalization methods agreed in every case, increasing confidence in the results.


Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Latest:

The Biopharmaceutical and Gene Therapy Terminology Guide

This comprehensive peer-reviewed set of more than 600 definitions covers topics of interest for the biopharmaceutical and gene therapy subjects of genetics, therapeutics, drug development, clinical medicine, and the analytical science tools used for characterization of drugs. This glossary serves as a helpful reference to both novice and advanced scientists, engineers, and business executives involved with biopharmaceuticals and gene therapy technologies. Online sources of information for topics covered in this guide are also included for additional insights.


Terry Murphy

Latest:

Chemical Warfare Agents and Use of Thermal Desorption–GC–MS to Achieve Improved Trace-Level Detection

This article discusses the analysis of a wide range of CWAs at current exposure limits and describes a number of recent beneficial developments in TD and associated analytical technologies for the identification and quantification of CWAs at these levels.


Harrick Scientific Products, Inc.

Latest:

Characterization of Surface Orientation of a Molded Polymer by FTIR-ATR

This application note demonstrates using ATR to examine the changes in surface orientation as a function of the distance from the injection point or gate.



Restek Corporation

Latest:

Rapid Perfluorinated Alkyl Acid Analysis by LC–MS/MS Increases Sample Throughput

By switching to a Raptor C18 column, labs can process more samples per hour while still meeting fluorochemical method requirements.


Joe Binkley

Latest:

Detection and Characterization of Extractables in Food Packaging Materials by GC–MS

In this study, general extract screening of food storage materials was done with nontargeted analytical methods to understand what analytes could potentially leach into food or beverages. GC and mass spectral deconvolution effectively separated analytes within the complex mixture and TOF-MS provided full mass range spectral data for identification. This workflow can be used for confident characterization of components present as extractables from food packaging materials.


Mark J. LaGuardia

Latest:

Use of Electron Capture Negative Ion Mass Spectra to Establish the Identities of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether Flame Retardants and Their Degradation Products

Detrimental health effects of a group of brominated flame retardants, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), have been recognized recently, but only after their wide usage and consequently, global dispersal. Of the possible 209 PBDE congeners, 39 (varying in degree of bromination from mono to deca) have been identified previously in the three common technical mixtures. Additional congeners, presumably debromination products of the fully brominated decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209), also have been reported in biotic and abiotic environments. However, costly analytical standards are needed to confirm their identification. In addition, the most widely used identification approach, electron ionization (EI) mass spectrometry (MS), primarily produces spectra indicating only homologue grouping (for example, hepta-BDE). Without specific compound identification, full assessment of toxicological consequences of PBDE burdens is impeded. It has been reported previously that electron-capture negative ionization (ECNI),..


David H. Russell

Latest:

Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry: A Tool for Characterizing the Petroleome

The authors demonstrate the capacity to separate petroleum-derived molecules having the same nominal mass in the mobility dimension using IM-MS spectrometry.


Naoki Sugiyama

Latest:

Accurate, Low-Level Sulfur Analysis by ICP-MS Using MS/MS with Oxygen Reaction Cell Gas

Combined with appropriate selection of instrument components to reduce the sulfur background, ICP-MS using MS/MS with oxygen reaction cell gas can provide accurate low-level analysis of sulfur and sulfur isotope ratios in aqueous and organic matrices. This is useful in applications in life science, clinical research, pharmaceutical development, food safety, environmental monitoring, geochemistry, and petrochemistry.


Olivier Rogerieux

Latest:

A Dedicated Spectra Database for Multiline Selection in ICP-AES

Acquisition and interpretation of a spectra database for ICP-AES analysis are described. The aim is the selection of nanometer-wide spectral windows containing several elements and several lines per element, so as to perform multiline analysis. An automatic line assignment procedure has been used. Information such as wavelength, sensitivity, line width, limit of detection, and level of detector saturation are stored. Filtering procedures are used for line selection, taking into account concentrations and possible spectral interferences.


Harrick Scientific Products

Latest:

A Diamond ATR Study of Adhesives Curing

Multiple reflection attenuated total reflection FT-IR accessory allows for protein analysis of strongly IR-absorbing samples, such as aqueous solutions.


BaySpec, Inc.

Latest:

Tiny Wearable Raman Spectrometers

Tiny Wearable Raman Spectrometers for Direct and SERS Detections for the Real World!


Jasco, Inc.

Latest:

Raman Analysis of Embedded Contaminants

Raman confocal spectroscopy is increasingly being applied for the analysis of embedded contaminants within materials. A non-contact, non-destructive analysis method, Raman spectroscopy requires very little sample preparation, has greater spatial resolution compared to FT-IR microscopy and the confocal analysis method allows visualization of materials within a clear sample matrix. This paper will investigate the analysis of an embedded contaminant within a polymer matrix on a glass substrate.


JEOL USA, Inc.

Latest:

AccuTOF™ GC-Alpha for High-Performance GC-MS

Discover the superior performance of the AccuTOF™ GC-Alpha, designed to deliver ultimate performance and functionality for complex GC-MS analysis in industrial applications.


Tim Deschaines

Latest:

Raman Confocal Analysis of an Inclusion in Sapphire

One of the most powerful aspects of Raman microscopy is the capability to do confocal analysis of features inside of a sample without having to prepare or damage the sample to get the important spectral information.


Marc Lamontagne

Latest:

Forensic Application of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy: Aging of Bloodstains

The authors discuss the use of near-infrared spectroscopy to determine the age of a bloodstain, which can be critical in helping establish when a crime was committed.


Jeffrey Zonderman

Latest:

Native Measurement of a Biotherapeutic without Interference from Excipients Using Microfluidic Modulation Spectroscopy

A new infrared spectroscopy technique, microfluidic modulation spectroscopy (MMS), delivers reproducible protein characterization over close to four orders of magnitude in protein concentration (from 0.1 to 200 mg/mL). This technique characterizes samples from the earliest stages of development through to manufacture.


Edgar D. Lee

Latest:

Rapid Chemical Threat Identification by SPME-GC–TMS

A person-portable gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) system employing a toroidal ion trap mass spectrometry (TMS) detector was used to analyze chemical threat related compounds. Introduction of analytes into the heated injector of the instrument was by solid-phase microextraction (SPME), and fast resistive heating of a low thermal mass (LTM) gas chromatography column assembly provided rapid analysis times. Methodology for positive identification of chemical threats can combine chromatographic retention time, comparison to traditional electron ionization mass spectral libraries, and observation of expected pseudomolecular ions produced through self-chemical ionization. Methods are discussed for sampling by SPME with GC–MS analysis in the field to measure airborne analyte concentrations.


Applied Photophysics Limited

Latest:

New Approach for Optimizing a Monoclonal Antibody Biotherapeutic in Different Formulations

A prerequisite for a successful biotherapeutic formulation is one where the protein is stable and correctly folded. The new technique of dynamic multi-mode spectroscopy (DMS) was used to study the stability of a monoclonal antibody biotherapeutic formulated in acetate and lactate buffers. The samples were measured several times over a period of weeks and it became apparent that the antibody behaved differently as it aged in the two formulations, with the lactate formulation imparting greater robustness than the acetate.


Edgar D. Lee

Latest:

Analysis of Organic Compounds in Water Using Unique Concentration–Injection Techniques for Portable GC–MS

A simple method for extraction and concentration of trace organic compounds found in water for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was developed. The method used 25 and 45 mL glass vials with a 5-10 µm thick polymer coatings for extraction of analytes from 20 and 40 mL water samples, respectively. Analytes were subsequently transferred from the polymer coating into an organic solvent, which was reduced in volume to 200-400 µL for analysis. A 10-20 µL sample from the vial was transferred to a tiny coiled stainless steel wire filament using a micro-syringe, or by dipping the coil into the sample. After air evaporation of the solvent, the coil was inserted into the heated injection port of a portable GC-MS system where the analytes were desorbed. Injection using the coiled wire filament eliminated sample discrimination of high boiling point compounds, and minimized system contamination caused by sample matrix residues. The GC-MS contained a new resistively heated column bundle that allowed elution of low-volatility compounds in less than 4 min. Analyses of organochlorine pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyl congeners, pyrethroid insecticides, phthalate esters, and n-alkanes in water and wastewater samples were accomplished for low ppb concentrations in less than 10 min total analysis time.



Sarah K. Thompson

Latest:

PittCon 2002 Review (PDF)

Spectroscopy's annual overview of new instrumentation presented at the PittCon conference.


Michael J. Telepchak

Latest:

Pesticide and Mycotoxin Analysis: Mastering the Complexity of the Cannabis Matrix

The method described here allows for the simultaneous analysis of 47 pesticides and five mycotoxins in cannabis in one simple QuEChERS procedure. This simple method is designed for implementation in start-up laboratories and in established laboratories that wish to streamline their sample preparation process, decrease solvent usage, and obtain accurate and fast results.


A2 Technologies

Latest:

Portable Transmission FTIR Analysis of Volatile Samples Using the DialPath Liquid Cell

Traditionally the analysis of volatile liquids by FTIR spectroscopy has always entailed a sealed fixed pathlength cell.



R.D. McDowall

Latest:

Coming to a Screen Near You?

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is using Remote Interactive Evaluations (RIE) to assess regulatory compliance, review submission material, or determine the timing of future inspections. Here, we look at some of the impacts of RIE on GxP laboratories. Although RIE is voluntary, is this an offer that you cannot refuse?


Nancy Johnson

Latest:

The 2002 Spectroscopy Survey of Salaries and Employment Issues (PDF)

A Look at Spectroscopists' Incomes and Attitudes about Their Jobs