Digital Transformation for the Modern Laboratory
Pittcon 2020 hosted a variety of cutting-edge science applications and technologies, but it was the topic of digital transformation that stood out this year. The necessity to transform laboratory information from paper to digital recording becomes more pronounced with each year. This is can be attributed to the increased value digital transformations offer to new and existing laboratories. Companies like Millipore Sigma and Labvantage have answered the increased demand for digital transformation with impressive technology offerings.
Millipore Sigma (Burlington, MA) has announced the release of its LANEXOTM System, a digital data capturing technology designed to increase inventory efficiency, simply compliance, and remain vendor-neutral.
Labvantage (Somerset, NJ) offers their Scientific Data Management System (SDMS), developed to provide a holistic sweep of the data that LIMS systems ignore. This robust, cloud data storage solution safeguards against accidental changes to experimental data and showcases itself as a large, cohesive platform to resolve the data integrity problem of the modern laboratory. This unique system is designed to scale with multi-national clients.
Application Spotlight
Utilizing isotopic ratios, researchers at St. Olaf College (Northfield, MN) were able to identify substances for various forensic analyses. Douglas Beussman, and colleagues, performed isotope ratio mass spectrometry on blood samples in order to provide a chronological verification of relevant blood samples based on established timelines. As blood dries, proteins in the blood become oxidized. Researchers looked to see if the ratio of 180 to 160 changes significantly over time. Isotope ratio mass spectrometry was performed on the pyrolyzed blood sample’s CO, which allowed the team to determine the ratio of 180 to 160 in samples of aged blood ranging from 1 day to 3 weeks. Another analysis conducted by the researchers was the investigation of 2H to 1H in PVC wire insulation. Using this method researchers can identify the wiring used in improvised explosive devices and determine if they came from an original, or distinct, source.
University of New Haven (West Haven, CT) researcher Brooke Kammrath, and colleagues, have teamed up with the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory (Madison, WI), and Perkin-Elmer, Inc. (Waltham, MA) to analyze illicit drugs using portable Ion Trap Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. The goal of their analyses was to determine whether portable ion trap GC/MS is a viable choice for the confirmatory identification of seized drugs in the field. In their investigation, 50 common illicit drugs and 15 additives were used to develop a portable ion trap GC-MS library. The instrument utilized a toroidal ion trap which proved optimal in its compact design, durability and higher operating pressure than other portable GC-MS systems. A customized library was critical for this field application, due to potential for space charge and ion-ion interactions in ion-trap MS, so that false negatives were reduced as much as possible. In addition to the portable ion trap GC/MS library’s utilization to detect illicit substances, the results were compared against data derived from samples using a portable quadrupole GC/MS. The results confirmed the portable ion trap GC/MS as a reliable instrument to yield a confirmatory identification of seized drugs in the field.
Due to the issues product defects and contaminates play during the pharmaceutical product life cycle, optimization during the development phase of product development can be significant in terms of importance. By limiting the elapsed identification time for product defects and contaminates, product quality can be maintained. Thomas Tague, of Bruker Scientific, LLC (Billerica, MA), presented on utilizing Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy to characterize organic-based compounds and polymeric packaging materials. By using the molecular fingerprint signature of each molecule in the middle infrared (400-400 cm-1), Thomas was able to demonstrate accurate identification capabilities.
DNA-binding and selectivity studies are vital to the understanding of gene regulation in genetic conditions. These studies are ideally performed without interference of extrinsic labels. Traditional label-free methods, like SHG and SPR, can detect binding of an analyte to immobilized DNA. However, they lack the ability to give information on absolute surface coverage and structural information on binding conformation. University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT) researchers, Eric Peterson, Joel Harris, and Grant Myres, presented the advantages of using Raman spectroscopy has a useful technique to study the interactions of immobilized DNA with molecules in solution. Not only is it label-free, but offers quantitative and structural information. Their team immobilized DNA probes on a hybrid lipid bilayer in high-surface area chromatographic silica particles. The study showed a 15-base DNA aptamer for thrombin had been successfully immobilized on a hybrid lipid bilayer and used to capture α-thrombin from solution. The DNA aptamer and α-thrombin were both detected by their signature Raman vibrational modes.
Life Science
Researcher, Bryan Dickinson, of the University of Chicago (Chicago, IL) presented his new classes of biosensors that utilize protein-based detection systems. One application of biosensors use T7 RNAP-based biosensors to interface with the molecular interactions and external cues of live cells by the production of defined RNA outputs. Another biosensor application included the design of a biosensing system that encoded molecular interactions, as well as other input signals, of defined small molecule products in E. coli and mammalian cell lines. Bryan sees future applications of these technologies in screening and synthetic biology.
The DOZN™ 2.0 web-based, quantitative greener alternative scoring matrix is based on the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry developed by Paul Anastas and John Warner. Its adoption by the American Chemical Society indicates the DOZN™ 2.0, a MilliporeSigma product, will be a significant tool to support green chemistry. The DOZN™ 2.0 system scores products based on metrics for each principle and provides a final aggregate score. The system calculates scores based on manufacturing inputs and Globally Harmonized System (GHS) and Safety Data Sheet information. Verified and validated by a third party, the DOZN™ 2.0 system allows customers to calculate green scores for their own processes and chemistry or biology-based products, providing them with data to increase sustainability. Click here to read the full-featured article on the DOZN™ 2.0 Quantitative Green Chemistry Evaluator.
Millipore researcher, Loga Shimelis, and her colleagues, presented on their utilization of Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) as a cost-effective, easy to perform, and rapid extraction technique for cannabis residual solvents and terpene analyses. Using a coated fiber to extract and concentrate analytes from a sample, researchers then desorbed the fiber directly into the GC for analysis. Previous applications of the SPME device were seen in environmental and food testing labs for headspace analysis of terpenes and solvents. The researchers continued to show the SPME in conjunction with GC/MS as a viable system to determine terpenes and residual solvents derived from cannabis extracts.
Scientist, Antje Baeumner, of the University of Regensburg (Regensburg, Germany) presented on novel electro-chemilumminescent and electrochemical detection with high sensitivity capabilities. Functional nanomaterials served as transducers and signal generators in their research. Engineered nanoparticles, nanovesicles, and other nanostructured materials were focused on with modified liposomes as a highlight. This electrochemiluminescent detection capabilities of the modified liposomes demonstrated detection that is 150x below the current capabilities of fluorescence detection.
Interview with Josh Crossney, Founder of the Cannabis Science Conference
Josh Crossney, founder of the Cannabis Science Conference (CSC), presented at Pittcon continuing his efforts to advocate for improved quality of medicinal cannabis products. While at the conference, I had the privilege of sitting down with Josh for an interview.
Josh is an industry leader in the cannabis community and has devoted his career to the advancement of cannabis science, analytical testing, and personalized medicine. His passion has connected industry professionals from around the world by founding the Cannabis Science Conference (CSC), the world’s largest and most technical cannabis science expo.
This semiannual event will be hosted in Baltimore, April 6-8 at the Baltimore Convention Center and Portland, August 31-September 2 at the Oregon Convention Center.
The CSC Highlights the top medical advancements in cannabis including:
• Climate of Legal Cannabis Nationally
• Medicinal Uses of Cannabis
• Regulations
• Legalization
• Quality Control Testing for Public Safety
In addition to keynote speakers and industry leader presentations, the CSC will be including a Cannabis Bootcamp that will take participants through an intensive educational crash course into key aspects of cannabis science.
Awards Overview
Chromatography Forum of the Delaware Valley Dal Nogare Award
Ron Majors worked in sample preparation and column technology at Agilent Technologies, now retired. For over 30 years, Dr. Majors was monthly editor of LC/GC’s “Column Watch” and “Sample Preparation Perspectives”; and continues to serve on their Editorial Board.
Satinder Ahuja Award for Young Investigators in Separation Science
Katelynn Perrault is an Assistant Professor of Forensic Sciences and Chemistry at Chaminade University of Honolulu (Honolulu, HI). Her research is centered on the use of multidimensional chromatography for odor analysis applications.
Pittsburgh Conference Achievement Award
Awarded to the researcher that made a significant impact in an area of analytical chemistry, within the first ten years of their academic career. Livia Schiavinato Eberlin, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at The University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX), was selected based on her inventive research, strong collaboration, and development of diagnostic tools for cancer detection.
Ralph N. Adams Award
Nancy L. Allbritton is the Frank & Julie Jungers Dean of Engineering at the University of Washington in Seattle (Seattle, WA). Her research focuses on the development of novel analytical technologies for biomedical research.
SEAC- Royce W. Murray Award
Martin Edwards is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT). His research focus is on physical and analytical electrochemistry combines with innovative instrumentation, numerical methods and statistics.
SEAC- The Charles N. Reilley Award
Shelley Minteer is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Utah. Her interests are focused on bioelectrochemistry and electroanalytical chemistry.
Pittcon Heritage Award
Stan Stearns is the founder and director of research of the VICI Group of companies.
Pittsburgh Spectroscopy Award
This award is given annually to a researcher who demonstrates outstanding achievements in spectroscopy. Dr. Ji-Xin Cheng was selected due to his scientific leadership and outstanding contribution to the advanced understanding and applications in the field of bioanalytical spectroscopy.
Pittsburgh Analytical Chemistry Award
Milan Mrksich is the Henry Wade Rogers Professor at Northwestern University (Evanston, IL) with appointments in Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, and Cell & Developmental Biology.
LCGC Lifetime Achievement in Chromatography Award
Daniel W. Armstrong is the R.A. Welch Distinguished Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of Texas at Arlington (Arlington, TX). His research has spanned a wide scope, including HPLC, GC, SFC, and enantiomeric separations and ionic liquids.
LCGC Emerging Leader in Chromatography Award
Szabolcs Fekete is a scientific collaborator at the University of Geneva (Geneva, Switzerland). Major areas of his work include advances in protein chromatography using reversed-phase, ion-exchange, size-exclusion, HIC, and HILIC modes; pharmaceutical analysis; LC column technology and method development.
The Coblentz Society – Williams-Wright Award
This year’s winner, Chris Brown, has focused on the development of smart, high-performance miniature analytical systems across a range of industries/applications. He co-founded 908 Devices in 2012, commercializing the world’s first handheld mass spectrometer (4 lbs.), and numerous other products for forensics and life-science applications.
Advances in Measurement Science Lectureship Awards
Andrew J. deMello is Professor of Biochemical Engineering and Chair of the Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering at ETH Zürich (Zürich, Switzerland). Prior to this, he was Professor of Chemical Nanosciences at Imperial College London.
Zhen Liu is a Distinguished Professor at Nanjing University (Nanjing, China). His main research interest is to develop affinity recognition materials and reagents for separation, disease diagnosis, single-cell analysis and cancer therapy.
Jennifer Brodbelt is the Rowland Pettit Centennial Professor of Chemistry and Chairperson at the University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX). Her research focuses on the development of photodissociation mass spectrometry for the characterization of biological molecules.