The economics of food testing: A strategic perspective for laboratory managers by SCIEX Community | 0 CommentsIn today’s rapidly evolving food industry, the role of food testing laboratories has never been more critical. Ensuring the safety, quality, and authenticity of food products is paramount, and this responsibility falls heavily on the shoulders of laboratory managers. The economics of food testing—encompassing everything from high-throughput pesticide screening to advanced research on alternative protein sources—plays a pivotal role in shaping the operational efficiency and financial health of these laboratories.
Six benefits of remote support every laboratory should know by Andrea Mueller | 0 CommentsImagine having a tech expert at your fingertips to solve computer issues or a fitness trainer guiding you through workouts from the comfort of your home. In today’s fast-paced world, the ability to provide and receive service and support remotely is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Whether it’s troubleshooting a software issue, repairing a device, offering customer assistance, or enjoying the convenience of telehealth as a private individual, remote capabilities have revolutionized how businesses operate and how individuals get help
Advancing immunopeptidomics for pancreatic cancer research with ZT Scan DIA by Katherine Tran | 0 CommentsPancreatic cancer remains one of the most fatal types of cancer, and the rates of occurrences and mortalities continue to be on a global rise.1,2 Recent statistics have reported that the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is the eighth most common type of cancer and...
Application of CGE in cell and gene therapy by Kerstin Pohl | 0 CommentsIn a recent webinar, available on demand, scientists Luiza Chrojan and Ryan Hylands from Pharmaron, provided insights into the deployment of capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE) within cell and gene therapy. Luiza and Ryan shared purity data on plasmids used for adeno-associated virus (AAV) manufacturing and data on AAV genome integrity, viral protein (VP) purity and VP ratios using the BioPhase 8800 system.
From downtime to confidence: Why OEM support can make a difference by Gary Chambers | Biopharma, Blogs, Clinical, Environmental / Industrial, Food / Beverage, Forensic, Life Science Research, Pharma, Service, Support, TechnologyIn today’s environment in which labs are under pressure to reduce operating costs, many will compare the cost of a service contract between third-party providers and the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). At first glance, going with a service contract from a third-party provider may seem like a smart financial move, but experience shows they can introduce risks that affect reliability and compliance.
Q&A blog: Streamlining forensic toxicology workflows for smarter drug screening and confirmation by Pierre Negri | Blogs, ForensicWe recently hosted a webinar focused on streamlining forensic toxicology workflows, featuring expert speakers Maria Sarkisian from the San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (SFOCME) and Dr. Dick Paul Kloos from the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI). The webinar explored innovative LC-MS/MS strategies that help forensic labs improve efficiency. In this blog, we share highlights from the Q&A session, where our speakers addressed the audience’s questions and shared actionable insights for forensic laboratory professionals.
Pumpkin spice season: A deep dive into spice authenticity by Gitte Barknowitz | Blogs, Food / BeverageThanks to Starbucks, who launched the pumpkin spice latte in 2003 (yes, over 20 years ago), the spice mixture became a global phenomenon, loved and disliked at the same time.
Celebrating customer experience: Insights from SCIEX leaders by Andrea Mueller | Biopharma, Blogs, Clinical, Environmental / Industrial, Food / Beverage, Forensic, Life Science Research, Pharma, TechnologyCustomer Experience Day (CX Day) is a special occasion for SCIEX, celebrated every first Tuesday in October. It’s a day dedicated to recognizing the incredible value of our customers and the relentless dedication of our associates who strive to make every interaction meaningful. At SCIEX, our commitment to customer experience is woven into the fabric of everything we do. From providing cutting-edge solutions to offering unwavering support, we aim to build lasting relationships and exceed expectations. Join us as we delve into the insights from our leaders on what customer experience means to SCIEX and how it shapes our journey.
How is EAD transforming from a niche technique into a cornerstone of daily metabolomics and lipidomics research? by Rebekah Sayers | Blogs, Life Science ResearchWith the launch of the ZenoTOF 8600 system, EAD has taken a significant leap forward in becoming a routine tool for metabolomics and lipidomics workflows. Building on the foundation laid by the ZenoTOF 7600 system, the 8600 system introduces enhanced sensitivity, function speed improvements, and multimodal capabilities that make EAD more practical and scalable for daily use. This blog explores how these advancements are transforming EAD from a specialized technique into a robust and accessible solution for high-throughput structural analysis, enabling researchers to unlock deeper insights with greater efficiency.
Q/A: Quantitative and qualitative solutions for large-panel pesticides assays using SCIEX Triple Quad and QTRAP systems by Holly Lee | Blogs, Food / Beverage, QTRAP / Triple QuadIn a recent webinar, which is now available on-demand, Holly Lee powerful strategies to tackle complex residue testing. From boosting throughput to fine-tuning method sensitivity, Holly shared key ways to maximize performance across large pesticide panels.
Bulletproof your clinical laboratory with rugged and reliable LC-MS/MS instrumentation (Clinical diagnostic blog) by Pierre Negri | Blogs, Clinical, Ion sourcesThe ability to consistently achieve reproducible results on many complex samples across multiple days is critical to a routine clinical laboratory. Laboratories relying on analytical instrumentation require stability and robustness to perform a variety of screening and confirmatory assays with confidence. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has become the preferred analytical method in the clinical laboratory to reliably perform clinical testing as it provides best-in-class performance and reliability for the most challenging assays. LC-MS/MS offers the required levels of sensitivity and specificity for the detection and quantitation of molecules from complex biological samples, helping laboratories deliver highly accurate data for a variety of clinically relevant analytes across a wide range of assays.
Bulletproof your clinical laboratory with rugged and reliable LC-MS/MS instrumentation (Clinical research blog) by Pierre Negri | Blogs, Clinical, Ion sourcesThe ability to consistently achieve reproducible results on many complex samples across multiple days is critical to a routine clinical laboratory. Laboratories relying on analytical instrumentation require stability and robustness to perform a variety of screening and confirmatory assays with confidence. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has become the preferred analytical method in the clinical laboratory to reliably perform clinical testing as it provides best-in-class performance and reliability for the most challenging assays. LC-MS/MS offers the required levels of sensitivity and specificity for the detection and quantitation of molecules from complex biological samples, helping laboratories deliver highly accurate data for a variety of clinically relevant analytes across a wide range of assays.
Methods for electrode cleaning for Echo MS systems by John Gibbons | Blogs, Echo® MS+ system, PharmaDepending on the samples that you are running on the system, it is possible for the Echo MS electrode to become dirty or occluded over time. Below are two different cleaning strategies that will be helpful for you to maintain your system and keep your electrodes running well.
The myth of costly training: debunked. by Andrea Mueller | Blogs, Instrument maintenance, Optimizing Performance, Technology, TrainingAs analytical organizations grow, there is an even greater need to train scientists and operators more consistently to meet tight deadlines, handle increasing samples, and meet data quality expectations. A high rate of employee turnover also affects the productivity of labs worldwide. Consistent training helps today’s labs stay competitive, whether the goal is sample throughput, therapeutic development, or publication.
Top questions about the exposome of PFAS revealed by Simon Roberts | Blogs, Clinical, Environmental / Industrial, Life Science ResearchAccording to the CDC, the exposome is “the measure of all the exposures of an individual in a lifetime and how those exposures relate to health.”
What’s in your citrus oil? by Craig Butt | Blogs, Food / BeverageCraig Butt explains a non-targeted omics approach to characterizing and profiling compounds in citrus oil Read time: 4 minutes There is increasing interest among consumers in the benefits of natural products containing citrus beyond the traditionally known benefits of...
Breaking down the SCIEX Triple Quad™ 7500 LC-MS/MS System – QTRAP® Ready by Jianru Stahl-Zeng | Blogs, ClinicalSensitivity and robustness carry different meanings in the world of mass spectrometry. Generally, sensitivity refers to an instrument’s ability to achieve lower limits of detection (LOD). Robustness, on the other hand, refers to an instrument’s ability to consistently...
Importing acquisition methods from Analyst software to SCIEX OS software by April Quinn-Paquet | Data acquisition, How-to videos, Methods / workflows, SCIEX OS software, TechnologyThe SCIEX Triple Quad 7500 system is the first nominal mass instrument to be released completely on SCIEX OS software. Moving to a new software solution can be time consuming with the need to transfer numerous methods to the new platform. SCIEX OS software helps...
The honey sting by Katherine Hyland | Blogs, Food / BeverageAs a consumer it’s hard for me not to feel inundated with claims that our food is “all-natural” or “chemical-free” or that we should buy certain “superfoods” for their health benefits. We read labels and trust that the product we are buying is what we are truly...
The top 5 questions to ask when investing in accurate mass technology for forensic toxicology workflows by Holly McCall | Blogs, ForensicAre you considering the purchase of a high-resolution accurate mass (HRAM) instrument for your forensic toxicology lab? To help ensure you invest in a solution that ideally meets your needs, ask yourself the following key questions. 1. How do I ensure my results...
Innovation that’s blasting through limitations in explosive detection by Pierre Negri | Blogs, ForensicMass spectrometry’s important role in identifying explosives The need for rapid explosive detection is now an unfortunate reality. The remit is multifaceted. The first is for preventative purposes, to protect us from any threat to life. The second is in the...
A new generation of therapeutic modalities by SCIEX Community | Biopharma, Blogs, PharmaThere are over 7,000 genetic diseases that could potentially be cured using gene therapy. Rare metabolic diseases, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease and cancers are some of the top disease classes that can be addressed with gene therapies. With over 1,000...
Enhancing Biologics with CESI-MS Characterization by SCIEX Community | Biopharma, BlogsComprehensive characterization of a biologic requires analysis at both the intact and digest levels, but these analyses can be complex and cumbersome. For example, with conventional liquid chromatography separations, researchers are often left with limited information...
Full, partial and empty capsid ratios for AAV analysis: What’s the big deal? by SCIEX Community | Biopharma, Blogs, PharmaFor many of you working to develop gene therapy drugs, you know that the time to market the drug is critical. Because gene therapeutics cure diseases by targeting specific genes, it is a constant race to see who develops the drug first. Unlike other classes of drugs where multiple medications can be used to treat a disease, whoever is first to develop a gene therapy drug wins.
Accurate mass LC-MS/MS for PFAS analysis without needing a blockbuster budget by Craig Butt | Blogs, Environmental / Industrial, Food / BeverageIf you’ve been following our recent blogs, you’ve probably seen quite a bit on how per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are shaking up both the food and environmental industry. Even if you’ve not been following our blogs, you’ve probably seen a lot of media...
A rising star in food allergen research: proteomics of shellfish allergen by SCIEX Community | Blogs, Food / Beverage, Life Science Research, ProteomicsIt’s important to know what you’re eating, especially if you suffer from a food allergy. About 220 million people worldwide live with a food allergy.1 These numbers, along with the complexity and severity of conditions, continue to rise. In America, there are about 32 million food allergy sufferers—5.6 million of those are children under the age of 18.2.2 That’s 1 out of every 13 children, or about 2 in every classroom. From a financial perspective, the cost of food allergy childcare for US families is up to $25 billion
Routine cannabis screening is here. Will your lab reap the benefits? by Paul Winkler | Blogs, Food / BeverageFast, accurate, and robust solution for routine commercial cannabis testing As the world debates cannabis legalization for therapeutic applications and recreational use, the trends are shifting. Medicinal use of cannabis is legal in an increasing number of countries worldwide, including 33 states and the District of Columbia in the United States. Uruguay was the first country in the world to legalize the sale, cultivation, and distribution of cannabis in 2013. In the United States, Washington and Colorado were the first to fully legalize cannabis in 2012. By the end of 2019, 10 states have legalized recreational use for adults over the age of 21, with 64% of Americans favoring the move
Keep up with fentanyl and its analogs: Failure to do so is not an option. by Pierre Negri | Blogs, ForensicFentanyl is one of the most well-known synthetic opioids that has been in the spotlight lately—and not for good reasons. The World Drug Report 2019 reveals that there have been more than 47,000 opioid overdose deaths in the United States in 2017. This is an increase...
Hemp, marijuana, CBD and THC: what’s the difference? by Paul Winkler | Blogs, Food / Beverage, ForensicCannabis refers to a genus of flowering plants originating from Asia.1 It's also an umbrella term that includes both marijuana plants and hemp plants, among others. With the flurry of legalization across the United States, CBD and THC derived products have been thrown...
Mysterious Vaping Detectives Part 2 by Paul Winkler | Blogs, Food / BeverageIn our last blog, I gave you some current highlights about the mysterious vaping illness that was making headlines (and still is). The condition now known as, e-cigarette or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) has sickened thousands and killed 57...
Trends shaping global environmental analytical testing by Craig Butt | Blogs, Environmental / IndustrialThe only certainty in a changing environmental landscape Despite a 38-fold increase in environmental laws put in place around the world since 1972, the future of our planet is under the spotlight like never before. Mitigating climate change has arrived as our world's...
Mass spectrometry as a forensic science tool in 2020 by Pierre Negri | Blogs, Forensic There’s no doubt about it: forensics is at the front line of the criminal justice system. It’s where analytical chemistry has the power to fight crimes. It’s fascinating! But what excites me is how quickly things change and the speed of innovation. Just think about...
Microflow for metabolite ID: a win all around by SCIEX Community | Blogs, PharmaOver the last several years there has been a slow and steady progression within the LC-MS community to move traditional high-flow applications to lower flow rates. In particular, moving into the microflow regime has proven to be a simple adjustment in methodology that...
A year of cannabis in Canada. Where are we and what’s next? by Paul Winkler | Blogs, Food / BeverageIt’s been a momentous year for the cannabis industry in Canada. Not only did the country legalize cannabis with the Canadian cannabis law in October 2018, but it has also taken a giant leap in setting up a multi-billion dollar market from scratch. The progress made...