Concentrating on Chromatography

Episode 61: Why Biologics QC Is So Much Harder Than Small Molecule Pharma | Colette Quinn of Waters

In this episode of  @ChromatographyTalk  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCU9oYSK_peqfuCrwpnv4fqA] David speaks with Colette Quinn, Senior Director within the Biologics Business at Waters Corporation, about the rapidly evolving world of pharmaceutical and biopharma QA/QC.As biologics become more complex, QA/QC labs are being pushed beyond traditional pass/fail testing toward deeper molecular characterization, advanced analytics, and data-driven decision making. Colette explains why “the product is the process” in biologics manufacturing, how chromatography and mass spectrometry are transforming QC workflows, and why orthogonal analytical techniques are becoming increasingly important for understanding critical quality attributes (CQAs).The conversation explores:* Why biologics QC differs fundamentally from small molecule pharma* The growing role of LC, HRMS, MALS, CE, and 2D-LC in QA/QC* Challenges surrounding aggregation, co-elution, heterogeneity, and higher-order structure* How automation, software, and machine learning may reshape future QC labs* The importance of data integrity and standardized workflows* Why advanced techniques like MALS and mass spectrometry are moving downstream into QC environments* How QC teams can think scientifically about adopting new analytical technologiesColette also shares insights on building high-performing analytical teams, the skills needed by the next generation of QC scientists, and where she believes the future of real-time release testing and biologics characterization is headed.Whether you work in chromatography, mass spectrometry, pharmaceutical analysis, biologics development, or analytical chemistry, this episode offers a detailed look at how modern QA/QC is evolving alongside increasingly sophisticated therapeutics.#Chromatography #MassSpec #Biologics #Pharma #Biopharma #QualityControl #QAQC #LCMS #MALS #AnalyticalChemistry #Waters #PharmaceuticalAnalysis #Biotechnology #2DLC #QC #MassSpectrometry

Episode 60: Why Capillary LC Is the Future of LC-MS Sensitivity #chromatography #massspectrometry

What makes capillary LC so powerful—and why are more scientists paying attention to it?In this episode of  @ChromatographyTalk  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCU9oYSK_peqfuCrwpnv4fqA], David sits down with Samuel Foster of Axcend to discuss how capillary liquid chromatography is changing the conversation around LC-MS sensitivity, solvent consumption, instrument footprint, and chromatographic efficiency.Sam explains how lower flow rates can dramatically improve electrospray ionization performance, why capillary LC can reduce solvent usage by orders of magnitude, and where the technology is already making an impact in pharmaceutical, environmental, and radiopharmaceutical workflows.They also discuss common misconceptions about capillary LC, why older systems gave the technology a mixed reputation, and why modern advances may make now the right time for labs to take another look.Topics Covered:* What capillary LC is and how it differs from traditional HPLC* Why lower flow rates improve LC-MS sensitivity* Solvent savings and sustainability benefits* Extra-column effects and hidden performance killers* Applications in pharma, biologics, drugs of abuse, and radiopharmaceuticals* Is capillary LC ready for routine lab adoption?* The future of liquid chromatographyIf you work in LC, LC-MS, analytical chemistry, method development, or lab operations, this episode is packed with practical insight.👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with leaders in analytical science.#Chromatography #HPLC #LCMS #MassSpectrometry #AnalyticalChemistry #PharmaceuticalAnalysis #LabScience #CapillaryLC

Episode 59: The Future of Ion Chromatography | PFAS Testing, EPA 1621 & AOF Explained #analyticalchemistry

How are PFAS regulations changing, and what role will ion chromatography play in the future of environmental testing?In this episode of  @ChromatographyTalk  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCU9oYSK_peqfuCrwpnv4fqA], David interviews Jay Gandhi, PhD, Vertical Markets Manager at Metrohm USA, for an in-depth discussion on PFAS analysis, the rise of AOF (Adsorbable Organic Fluorine) testing, and the development of EPA 1621 and ISO 18127 standards.With more than 30 years of experience in ion chromatography, Jay shares valuable perspective on how the field has evolved—from early applications and NASA water recovery projects to today’s challenges involving PFAS, TFA, and emerging contaminants.Topics covered in this episode include:• What PFAS are and why they matter• The difference between targeted PFAS methods and AOF analysis• How combustion ion chromatography works• Behind the scenes of EPA 1621 and ISO 18127 method development• Regulatory trends in water, textiles, and food packaging• TFA analysis using IC-MS and IC-MS/MS• The future of ion chromatography in environmental labsWhether you work in analytical chemistry, environmental testing, water analysis, or chromatography, this episode offers timely insights from one of the industry’s leading experts.Subscribe for more interviews with scientists, researchers, and industry leaders.#PFAS #Chromatography #IonChromatography #EnvironmentalTesting #Metrohm #AnalyticalChemistry #MassSpectrometry #EPA

Episode 58: How Separation Science Is Taught vs. How It’s Actually Used #nmrspectroscopy #massspectrometry

What do students really learn before they ever touch an analytical instrument? And is chemistry education keeping up with the pace of modern chromatography, mass spectrometry, and sample preparation?In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, David speaks with instructor Natasha Le about the realities of teaching chemistry and separation science to today’s students—many of whom are pursuing careers in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and healthcare rather than research.Natasha shares what students struggle with most, why many learners become focused on grades instead of understanding the science, and where the gap exists between textbook chemistry and real-world lab workflows.Topics include:🔹 When students first encounter separation science concepts🔹 Why chromatography is often taught without being labeled as such🔹 The challenge of teaching critical thinking vs. “button pushing”🔹 How mass spectrometry differs in the classroom vs. real labs🔹 Why sample prep skills matter more than students realize🔹 Can universities keep up with rapidly changing analytical technology?🔹 What separates a good chemistry student from a great oneIf you work in chromatography, mass spectrometry, lab education, or are preparing for a career in analytical chemistry, this conversation offers a valuable look at how the next generation is being trained.#Chromatography #MassSpectrometry #AnalyticalChemistry #STEMEducation #HPLC #GCMS #LCMS #ChemistryStudents #SamplePrep #Podcast

Episode 57: Frugal Science Meets Sample Prep: A Field-Ready Lyophilizer for Biofluids

What if you could dry biofluid samples in the field—without a vacuum system, freeze dryer, or full lab setup?In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, I sit down with Rajas Poorna and Charles Anderson to explore their work on a frugal, field-deployable alternative to traditional lyophilization through the Evapinator project.Originally inspired by the principles of frugal science, their approach rethinks how we stabilize and prepare biofluid samples like blood and plasma—especially in environments where traditional lab infrastructure simply isn’t available.--- 🔬 What This Episode Covers: 🧪 A Frugal Take on Lyophilization* Can you replicate the outcome of a lyophilizer without the complexity?* Why traditional freeze drying is often too expensive and impractical for field use* How simplifying evaporation could unlock entirely new workflows 🌍 Drying Biofluids in the Field* The real-world challenge of handling blood and other biofluids outside the lab* Why sample stability during transport is such a critical bottleneck* How a portable system could enable on-site sample prep in remote or resource-limited settings ⚗️ Rethinking Evaporation (No Vacuum Required)* The core idea behind the Evapinator—and how it challenges conventional assumptions* The role of airflow, heat, and design in drying sensitive samples* Where this approach fits relative to traditional evaporation and lyophilization techniques 🛠️ Early Results & Practical Insights* What’s working so far—and where limitations still exist* The types of applications where this approach shows the most promise* What still needs to be validated in upcoming peer-reviewed work--- ⚗️ Why This MattersFrom clinical research in remote regions to decentralized diagnostics, the ability to dry and preserve biofluid samples in the field could fundamentally change how and where analysis happens.This conversation challenges a core assumption in analytical science:Do you really need a full lyophilizer—or even a vacuum—to stabilize biofluid samples?--- 🚀 What’s NextThis is Part 1 of the conversation.In the follow-up episode, we’ll dive into the peer-reviewed data, performance validation, and how this approach compares directly to traditional lyophilization and evaporation systems.---## 🎧 About the Show @ChromatographyTalk  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCU9oYSK_peqfuCrwpnv4fqA] explores the people, technologies, and ideas shaping analytical science—from the lab bench to the field.