Chemische Charakterisierung und Spurenanalytik
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The interaction of nanoparticles (NPs) with cells has become a major field of interest, ranging from medical applications to nanotoxicology. Size, shape and surface modification of the NPs determine the uptake rate and pathway into the cells, and therefore impact specific cell components and processes.
Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is an established quantitative multi-elemental analysis and mapping technique. In recent years, it was shown that LA-ICP-MS can provide quantitative as well as distribution information of NPs in cell samples.
Here LA-ICP-MS was applied for the imaging of individual cells to study the uptake and intracellular processing of metal-containing nanostructures. Additionally, the local distribution of naturally occurring elements in cells like P was measured to indicate cell morphology. The cells were incubated with different types of NPs under varying experimental conditions. For LA analysis, the cells were fixed and dried.
Our findings show, that LA-ICP-MS is suitable for the localisation of nanoparticle aggregates within cellular compartments. The studied NPs accumulate in the perinuclear region in the course of intracellular processing, but do not enter the cell nucleus. The uptake efficiency depends strongly on the physicochemical properties of the nanostructures as well as on the incubation conditions like concentration and incubation time.
The results demonstrate the potential of LA-ICP-MS providing insight into NP uptake, intracellular distribution and cell-to-cell variation dependent on experimental parameters.
The departure from the current automation landscape to next generation automation concepts for the process industry has already begun. Smart functions of sensors simplify their use and enable plug-and-play integration, even though they may appear to be more complex at first sight. Monitoring specific information (i.e., “chemical” such as physico-chemical properties, chemical reactions, etc.) is the key to “chemical” process control. Here we introduce our smart online NMR sensor module provided in an explosion proof housing as example.
Due to NMR spectroscopy as an “absolute analytical comparison method”, independent of the matrix, it runs with extremely short set-up times in combination with “modular” spectral models. Such models can simply be built upon pure component NMR spectra within a few hours (i.e., assignment of the NMR signals to the components) instead of tedious calibrations runs. We present a range of approaches for the automated spectra analysis moving from statistical approach, (i.e., Partial Least Squares Regression) to physically motivated spectral models (i.e., Indirect Hard Modelling and Quantum Mechanical calculations).
Based on concentration measurements of reagents and products by the NMR analyzer a continuous production and direct loop process control were successfully realized for several validation runs in a modular industrial pilot plant and compared to conventional analytical methods (HPLC, near infrared spectroscopy). The NMR analyser was developed for an intensified industrial process funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (“Integrated CONtrol and SENsing”, www.consens-spire.eu).
Due to NMR spectroscopy as an “absolute analytical comparison method”, independent of the matrix, it runs with extremely short set-up times in combination with “modular” spectral models. Such models can simply be built upon pure component NMR spectra within a few hours (i.e., assignment of the NMR signals to the components) instead of tedious calibrations runs. We present a range of approaches for the automated spectra analysis moving from statistical approach, (i.e., Partial Least Squares Regression) to physically motivated spectral models (i.e., Indirect Hard Modelling and Quantum Mechanical calculations). The departure from the current automation landscape to next generation automation concepts for the process industry has already begun. Smart functions of sensors simplify their use and enable plug-and-play integration, even though they may appear to be more complex at first sight. Monitoring specific information (i.e., “chemical” such as physico-chemical properties, chemical reactions, etc.) is the key to “chemical” process control. Here we introduce our smart online NMR sensor module provided in an explosion proof housing as example.Based on concentration measurements of reagents and products by the NMR analyzer a continuous production and direct loop process control were successfully realized for several validation runs in a modular industrial pilot plant and compared to conventional analytical methods (HPLC, near infrared spectroscopy). The NMR analyser was developed for an intensified industrial process funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.
The departure from the current automation landscape to next generation automation concepts for the process industry has already begun. Smart functions of sensors simplify their use and enable plug-and-play integration, even though they may appear to be more complex at first sight. Monitoring specific information (i.e., “chemical” such as physico-chemical properties, chemical reactions, etc.) is the key to “chemical” process control. Here we introduce our smart online NMR sensor module provided in an explosion proof housing as example.
Due to NMR spectroscopy as an “absolute analytical comparison method”, independent of the matrix, it runs with extremely short set-up times in combination with “modular” spectral models. Such models can simply be built upon pure component NMR spectra within a few hours (i.e., assignment of the NMR signals to the components) instead of tedious calibrations runs. We present a range of approaches for the automated spectra analysis moving from statistical approach, (i.e., Partial Least Squares Regression) to physically motivated spectral models (i.e., Indirect Hard Modelling and Quantum Mechanical calculations).
Based on concentration measurements of reagents and products by the NMR analyzer a continuous production and direct loop process control were successfully realized for several validation runs in a modular industrial pilot plant and compared to conventional analytical methods (HPLC, near infrared spectroscopy). The NMR analyser was developed for an intensified industrial process funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (“Integrated CONtrol and SENsing”, www.consens-spire.eu).
The departure from the current automation landscape to next generation automation concepts for the process industry has already begun. Smart functions of sensors simplify their use and enable plug-and-play integration, even though they may appear to be more complex at first sight. Monitoring specific information (i.e., “chemical” such as physico-chemical properties, chemical reactions, etc.) is the key to “chemical” process control.
The talk introduces a smart online NMR sensor module provided in an explosion proof housing as example. This sensor was developed for an intensified industrial process (pharmaceutical lithiation reaction step) funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (www.consens-spire.eu). Due to NMR spectroscopy as an “absolute analytical comparison method”, independent of the matrix, it runs with extremely short set-up times in combination with “modular” spectral models. Such models can simply be built upon pure component NMR spectra within a few hours (i.e., assignment of the NMR signals to the components) instead of tedious calibrations runs.
Industry 4.0, IIoT, or Lab 4.0 will enable us to handle more complex processes in shorter time. Intensified production concepts require for adaptive analytical instruments and control technology to realize short set-up times, modular control strategies. They are based on a digitized Laboratory 4.0.
An overview about different analytical approaches will be presented of how to detect metals in individual biological cells by use of ICP-MS. For this purpose, we are using different sample introduction systems for ICP-MS for detection, imaging and quantification of metals at cellular levels.
By use of laser ablation, we have studied the up-take by and distribution of nanoparticles in single cells. Recently we have developed staining techniques to measure protein and DNA content of cells and identifying the cell status by immunoassays using metal-tagging of antibodies. New research based on cell arrays will be shortly discussed.
Using pneumatic nebulization and microdroplet generation, we have also studied the up-take of nanoparticles and toxic metals as well as essential elements in single cells using different ICP-MS mass spectrometric concepts (sector field instrument, triple-quad instrument, time of flight (CyTOF) instrument).
The different ICP-MS based methods will be compared concerning their analytical figures of merit and their strengths and weaknesses will be evaluated.
An overview about different analytical approaches will be presented of how to detect metals in individual biological cells by use of ICP-MS. For this purpose, we are using different sample introduction systems for ICP-MS for detection, imaging and quantification of metals at cellular levels.
By use of laser ablation, we have studied the up-take by and distribution of nanoparticles in single cells. Recently we have developed staining techniques to measure protein and DNA content of cells and identifying the cell status by immunoassays using metal-tagging of antibodies. New research based on cell arrays will be shortly discussed.
Using pneumatic nebulization and microdroplet generation, we have also studied the up-take of nanoparticles and toxic metals as well as essential elements in single cells using different ICP-MS mass spectrometric concepts (sector field instrument, triple-quad instrument, time of flight (CyTOF) instrument).
The different ICP-MS based methods will be compared concerning their analytical figures of merit and their strengths and weaknesses will be evaluated.
Der Vortrag stellt einige aktuelle Herausforderungen für die Prozessanalytik und mögliche Antworten vor.
Gepulste Raman-Spektrometer akkumulieren das Raman-Signal mit Hilfe schneller optischer Schalter im Picosekunden-Bereich, bevor langlebigere Fluoreszenzanregung entsteht. Damit lassen sich stark fluoreszierende Materialien untersuchen, die bislang nicht zugänglich sind. Eine weitere interessante Entwicklung ist etwa die Shifted excitation Raman difference spectroscopy (SERDS) die besonders für biologische Anwendungen interessant ist.
Flexible, modulare Produktionsanlagen stellen einen vielversprechenden Ansatz für die kontinuierliche Produktion von Fein- und Spezialchemikalien dar. In einem EU-Projekt wurde die Feldintegration eines Online-NMR-Sensormoduls als smartes Modul für die Prozesskontrolle vorangebracht. Dieses Modul basiert auf einem kommerziell erhältlichen Niederfeld-NMR-Spektrometer, welche zurzeit für die Anwendung im Laborbereich erhältlich ist. Für die Feldintegration wurde ein ATEX-zertifiziertes, explosionsgeschütztes Gehäuse entwickelt sowie Automationsschemen für den unbeaufsichtigten Betrieb und für die kalibrierfreie spektrale Datenauswertung erstellt.
Eine sehr gut anwendbare analytische Messtechnik zur Kontrolle der elementaren Zusammensetzung von verschiedensten Materialien ist die laserinduzierte Plasmaspektroskopie (LIPS, engl. LIBS - Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy). Bei der LIBS wird ein kurz gepulster Laser auf eine Probe fokussiert, um ein Leuchtplasma zu erzeugen. Das dabei erzeugte Atomemissionsspektrum ermöglicht eine qualitative und quantitative Analyse der Zusammensetzung der Probe bezüglich praktisch aller Elemente des Periodensystems. In einem aktuellen Projekt wird diese Methode neben anderen zur Online-Analyse von Ackerböden für die ortsspezifischer Bewirtschaftung (Precision Agriculture) weiterentwickelt und bewertet.
In chemical elements with three or more stable isotopes, mass-dependent stable isotope fractionation is expressed by co-varying isotope ratios. In the three-isotope space ((δ’m2/δ’m1)/(( δ’m3/δ’m1)) these plot along a line with a slope (β), the so called ‘terrestrial fractionation line’. This partitioning of stable isotopes results from both kinetic and equilibrium reactions that are characterized by specific β-values.
For the natural range of isotope ratios of ‘novel’ stable isotope systems such as Si, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu this information cannot be accessed because samples fall close to the delta-zero standard where the current measurement precision is too low to resolve small differences in β. We present a new approach to resolve deviations from a reference slope β by standard-sample bracketing against material offset from the natural range. We use this approach to explore the isotope fractionation mechanism in the mammalian food web. We have analyzed Mg stable isotope ratios in bone bioapatite of herbivore, omnivore and carnivore mammals. Positive shifts in δ26/24Mg along the trophic chain (from herbivore to carnivore) together with β= 0.513 suggest the presence of two isotope fractionation mechanisms operating during biomineralization. While positive shifts in δ26/24Mg are in favor of equilibrium isotope fractionation process, the proximity of β to the theoretically calculated β(kinetic) of typically 0.511 suggests the presence of a second component that fractionates stable isotopes kinetically. The herein presented approach is applicable to any element with 3+ stable isotopes analyzed by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
This is the first time that PE frits were used to quantify sulfur in copper and its alloys by isotope dilution combined with LA-ICP-MS: an alternative approach for sample preparation. The following properties of the PE frit meet the requirements for isotope dilution LA-ICPMS:: porous material, thermo plastic (melting point >100oC), chemical resistance (nitric acid >70%) and high adsorption efficiency. The breakthrough, however, as a support material, especially when comparing the PE frit with other materials such gelatin or sodium silicate is the low blank, which is only two times of the gas flow blank (2.3-4.0 x 104 cps). Additionally, the porosity of the frit was considered, as it directly affects the adsorption efficiency for the sample solution, which is present in the cavities of the frit.
Adsorption efficiency was studied by depositing sulfur standards with varying sulfur amounts (0, 2, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 µg S) on the frits. The remaining sulfur which was not absorbed by the frit was rinsed off and was measured by ICP-MS. This indirect method shows that more than 99.5 % of the loaded sulfur was absorbed by the frit. Such high absorption efficiency is completely sufficient for a support material to be used in LA-ICP-IDMS. The so prepared frits whith increasing sulfur amount were measured by LA-ICP-MS showing a good linearity between 0 µg S and 40 µg S whit a correlation coefficient r2 of 0.9987 and sensitivy of 3.4x104 cpsµg-1 for 32S.
Three copper reference materials produced by BAM were selected to develop and validate the LA-ICP-IDMS procedure. The IDMS technique was applied to these samples as follows: the samples were spiked, dissolved, digested and then the digest was adsorbed on the frits.
Non-invasive Cereal Analysis by GC-MS detection of Trichodiene as a Volatile Mycotoxin Biomarker
(2018)
Due to the increasing consumption of cereals worldwide, the monitoring of growth, storage and processing is becoming more and more crucial. Particularly when stored, infested grains breed fungal clusters (“hot spots”) in which mycotoxins greatly exceed allowed maximum levels. Because of their unpredictable presence, current sample drawing and procedures for mycotoxin analysis represent a complex challenge for operators, involving invasive and cost intensive steps.
Therefore, new time- and labour-saving mycotoxin control methods including sampling and analysis steps are needed. A possible approach is the non-invasive analysis of the homogeneous gas phase above the crops, instead of analyzing random samples. However, this procedure requires microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC´s) being released by the samples and representing the present mycotoxins. Previous investigations revealed trichodiene to be a precursor in trichothecenes biosynthesis – one of the largest mycotoxin groups with over 180 compounds. Due to its non-functionalized sesquiterpene structure, trichodiene has already been quantified using Headspace GC-MS methods (for instance). Thereby, it can possibly be used as a biomarker for trichothecene contamination in foodstuff.
However, further investigations are necessary. The correlation between trichodiene concentration in the gas phase and trichothecenes mass fraction in the sample must be examined closely to draw conclusions about the exact trichothecene content within samples. Realizing this idea, would widely extend the applicability of trichodiene and enormously simplify trichothecene quantification. Hence, this first step of an ongoing study aims to develop a laboratory reference method using trichodiene as volatile biomarker to quantify trichothecenes in cereals. Static headspace and SPME-enrichment coupled to gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were employed. In a second step, this reference method is intended to validate new approaches for fast on-site screening of trichodiene in cereals.
Heritage Lecture
(2018)
After finishing my diploma thesis in plasma physics in 1981, I dreamt of a future in a research lab to develop novel fusion reactors for energy production or to study universal plasmas and their emission in the cosmos. This dream never became real, however I found my first job in a team to build up a new museum dedicated to “Energy”, and this first part of my career was already finished after a year, because the funding was not extended. So, I found immediately a new job as a young scientist in the institute for analytical sciences (originally ISAS: Institute for Plasmachemistry and Applied Spectroscopy) in 1982 to develop novel plasma ion sources for inorganic mass spectrometry. The first source of interest was based on a glow discharge for direct analysis of conducting solids (technically supported by Finnigan MAT, Bremen). Here I adopted the design of the Grimm type discharge for the first time, which was well known in optical emission spectroscopy, and coupled it to a quadrupole mass analyzer. The advantage of this design was that flat craters are produced by sputtering which made this source very powerful for in-depth analysis of technical layers. This then became the topic of my PhD, which was not originally planned, and I had to learn a lot about surface analysis. However, since the first project was too successful we established a small team (in cooperation with Jose Broekaert - an expert in ICP-OES) which started with the development of our own inductively coupled plasma ion source in 1986 coupled to a quadrupole and in 1989 to a sector field mass spectrometer (funded by the Minister of Science and Technology; again in cooperation with Finnigan MAT). The latter device was launched to the market in 1993 as the Element 1.
The second decade of my career was still related to instrumental development but mainly of glow discharge sources. In an EU funded project first an automated glow discharge sector field instrument was developed where the Grimm type geometry was combined with a fast flow concept (in cooperation with Volker Hoffmann at IFW in Dresden). This was done in cooperation with VG (which became later a part of Thermo Fisher Scientific together with Finnigan MAT), so that it is not surprising that this concept for the Element GD. This project was later continued in the third phase of my career, again funded by the EU and in cooperation with the group of Alfredo Sanz-Medel (Rosario Pereiro and Jorge Pisonero), to develop a fast flow, but now rf-powered GD ion source in combination with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer, which was later launched to the market commercially by Horiba Jobin Yvon (France) for in-depth profiling of thin layers even of non-conducting materials.
In the first decade of my career I started to study already “analytical chemistry” from the scratch because the instruments developed have been applied now for direct analysis of solid materials, technical layers and environmental samples. In case of environmental applications our ICP-MS (the quadrupole and the sector field instrument) was coupled with separation techniques, so that this period of instrumental development was dominated in the second decade by development of high efficiency sample introduction systems in combination with speciation studies of Pt group elements, arsenic, selenium and phosphorus (in DNA and phosphorylated proteins), Ni and Cr. Additionally, we continued with the analysis of solid ceramic materials (Al2O3, SiC, SiN) and ambient air-born particles. At the end of the second decade we complemented our instrumental pool by a collision and reaction cell instrument in cooperation with Micromass and used this instrument for speciation studies of peptides and proteins and demonstrated that by ICP-HEX-MS quantitative proteomics is feasible. Therefore, we more and more focused in the following years on metalloproteins and published a famous paper on “Metallobiomolecules: The basis of life, the challenge of atomic spectroscopy” (together with Luc Moens and Ryszard Lobinski). For detection of metalloproteins we applied typical workflows of biochemistry and proteomics, for which I had to extend my knowledge about biochemistry and proteomics. As a new analytical tool, we used a homemade laser ablation cell for sample introduction of metalloproteins after their separation by gel electrophoresis and extended this work by applying metal-tagging of antibodies for Western blot assays. For this purpose, proteins were separated in SDS-PAGE and electroblotted onto membranes. Specific detection of proteins even not containing any metal could be performed by laser ablation ICP-MS using the metal tagged antibodies for indirect detection. This research was interrupted in 2009 by a movement from ISAS (where atomic spectroscopy was declining) to BAM (the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Berlin) where this research direction was fostered. The experience we achieved at ISAS in the previously mentioned projects were now used here at BAM in the fourth decade for materials research and the development of a quantitative elemental microscope with cellular resolution. So, at the end of my career I am trying to apply all my knowledge and expertise to develop analytical methods and to apply multimodal spectroscopies to decipher the construction code of the cellular machinery, which is the most precise and complex machinery I have ever seen. If we were able to understand how this machinery works, we can better diagnose and treat a malfunction in case of the development of a disease.
Finally, I can conclude that lifelong learning starts before school but does not end at the end of this lecture. It looks like this heritage lecture will be focused on my career only, but this is not the case because some highlights of my career will be used to illustrate a few universal principles: how to have fun, how to find friends and how this all leads to an increase of joy and joy is the basis of new ideas (which must not always be related to your profession) and novel ideas are essential for a successful and satisfying career. So, this heritage lecture wants to answer the most important question of a life which was dedicated to plasma spectrochemistry:
1) Is it possible - at all - to have fun in this research direction?
2) Can we learn already today what we need tomorrow?
3) How can we still realize our scientific dreams of cutting edge research in times of cutting budgets? Which automatically leads to the next question:
4) Is necessity the mother of invention?
All questions will be answered! Controversial discussions (for angry or disappointed colleagues) will be stimulated and my visions of future research (for students and postdocs) and instrumental developments (for manufacturer) will be presented. Finally, conclusions will be drawn by the auditorium (everybody) and thanks will be given to Ramon Barnes (by me) already in advance!
Heritage Lecture
(2018)
After finishing my diploma thesis in plasma physics in 1981, I dreamt of a future in a research lab to develop novel fusion reactors for energy production or to study universal plasmas and their emission in the cosmos. This dream never became real, however I found my first job in a team to build up a new museum dedicated to “Energy”, and this first part of my career was already finished after a year, because the funding was not extended. So, I found immediately a new job as a young scientist in the institute for analytical sciences (originally ISAS: Institute for Plasmachemistry and Applied Spectroscopy) in 1982 to develop novel plasma ion sources for inorganic mass spectrometry. The first source of interest was based on a glow discharge for direct analysis of conducting solids (technically supported by Finnigan MAT, Bremen). Here I adopted the design of the Grimm type discharge for the first time, which was well known in optical emission spectroscopy, and coupled it to a quadrupole mass analyzer. The advantage of this design was that flat craters are produced by sputtering which made this source very powerful for in-depth analysis of technical layers. This then became the topic of my PhD, which was not originally planned, and I had to learn a lot about surface analysis. However, since the first project was too successful we established a small team (in cooperation with Jose Broekaert - an expert in ICP-OES) which started with the development of our own inductively coupled plasma ion source in 1986 coupled to a quadrupole and in 1989 to a sector field mass spectrometer (funded by the Minister of Science and Technology; again in cooperation with Finnigan MAT). The latter device was launched to the market in 1993 as the Element 1.
The second decade of my career was still related to instrumental development but mainly of glow discharge sources. In an EU funded project first an automated glow discharge sector field instrument was developed where the Grimm type geometry was combined with a fast flow concept (in cooperation with Volker Hoffmann at IFW in Dresden). This was done in cooperation with VG (which became later a part of Thermo Fisher Scientific together with Finnigan MAT), so that it is not surprising that this concept for the Element GD. This project was later continued in the third phase of my career, again funded by the EU and in cooperation with the group of Alfredo Sanz-Medel (Rosario Pereiro and Jorge Pisonero), to develop a fast flow, but now rf-powered GD ion source in combination with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer, which was later launched to the market commercially by Horiba Jobin Yvon (France) for in-depth profiling of thin layers even of non-conducting materials.
In the first decade of my career I started to study already “analytical chemistry” from the scratch because the instruments developed have been applied now for direct analysis of solid materials, technical layers and environmental samples. In case of environmental applications our ICP-MS (the quadrupole and the sector field instrument) was coupled with separation techniques, so that this period of instrumental development was dominated in the second decade by development of high efficiency sample introduction systems in combination with speciation studies of Pt group elements, arsenic, selenium and phosphorus (in DNA and phosphorylated proteins), Ni and Cr. Additionally, we continued with the analysis of solid ceramic materials (Al2O3, SiC, SiN) and ambient air-born particles. At the end of the second decade we complemented our instrumental pool by a collision and reaction cell instrument in cooperation with Micromass and used this instrument for speciation studies of peptides and proteins and demonstrated that by ICP-HEX-MS quantitative proteomics is feasible. Therefore, we more and more focused in the following years on metalloproteins and published a famous paper on “Metallobiomolecules: The basis of life, the challenge of atomic spectroscopy” (together with Luc Moens and Ryszard Lobinski). For detection of metalloproteins we applied typical workflows of biochemistry and proteomics, for which I had to extend my knowledge about biochemistry and proteomics. As a new analytical tool, we used a homemade laser ablation cell for sample introduction of metalloproteins after their separation by gel electrophoresis and extended this work by applying metal-tagging of antibodies for Western blot assays. For this purpose, proteins were separated in SDS-PAGE and electroblotted onto membranes. Specific detection of proteins even not containing any metal could be performed by laser ablation ICP-MS using the metal tagged antibodies for indirect detection. This research was interrupted in 2009 by a movement from ISAS (where atomic spectroscopy was declining) to BAM (the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Berlin) where this research direction was fostered. The experience we achieved at ISAS in the previously mentioned projects were now used here at BAM in the fourth decade for materials research and the development of a quantitative elemental microscope with cellular resolution. So, at the end of my career I am trying to apply all my knowledge and expertise to develop analytical methods and to apply multimodal spectroscopies to decipher the construction code of the cellular machinery, which is the most precise and complex machinery I have ever seen. If we were able to understand how this machinery works, we can better diagnose and treat a malfunction in case of the development of a disease.
Finally, I can conclude that lifelong learning starts before school but does not end at the end of this lecture. It looks like this heritage lecture will be focused on my career only, but this is not the case because some highlights of my career will be used to illustrate a few universal principles: how to have fun, how to find friends and how this all leads to an increase of joy and joy is the basis of new ideas (which must not always be related to your profession) and novel ideas are essential for a successful and satisfying career. So, this heritage lecture wants to answer the most important question of a life which was dedicated to plasma spectrochemistry:
1) Is it possible - at all - to have fun in this research direction?
2) Can we learn already today what we need tomorrow?
3) How can we still realize our scientific dreams of cutting edge research in times of cutting budgets? Which automatically leads to the next question:
4) Is necessity the mother of invention?
All questions will be answered! Controversial discussions (for angry or disappointed colleagues) will be stimulated and my visions of future research (for students and postdocs) and instrumental developments (for manufacturer) will be presented. Finally, conclusions will be drawn by the auditorium (everybody) and thanks will be given to Ramon Barnes (by me) already in advance!
qNMR provides the most universally applicable form of direct concentration or purity determination without need for reference materials of impurities or the calculation of response factors but only exhibiting suitable NMR properties.
The workshop presents basic terms of statistics and uncertainty analysis, which are the basis for qNMR spectroscopy and data analysis such as, e.g., standard deviations, linear regression, significance tests, etc. and gives typical examples of applications in qNMR spectroscopy.
The departure from the current automation landscape to next generation automation concepts for the process industry has already begun. Smart functions of sensors simplify their use and enable plug-and-play integration, even though they may appear to be more complex at first sight. Monitoring specific information (i.e., “chemical” such as physico-chemical properties, chemical reactions, etc.) is the key to “chemical” process control.
The talk introduces a smart online NMR sensor module provided in an explosion proof housing as example. This sensor was developed for an intensified industrial process (pharmaceutical lithiation reaction step) funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (www.consens-spire.eu). Due to NMR spectroscopy as an “absolute analytical comparison method”, independent of the matrix, it runs with extremely short set-up times in combination with “modular” spectral models. Such models can simply be built upon pure component NMR spectra within a few hours (i.e., assignment of the NMR signals to the components) instead of tedious calibrations runs.
The talk also generally covers current aspects of high-field and low-field online NMR spectroscopy for reaction monitoring and process control and gives also an overview on direct dissolution studies of API cocrystals.
Mykotoxine werden als sekundäre Metabolite von Schimmelpilzen gebildet und haben diverse schädliche Effekte auf Menschen, Tiere und Pflanzen. Laut FAO sind weltweit bis zu 25 % aller Lebens- und Futtermittel mit Mykotoxinen kontaminiert, wodurch jährlich immense ökonomische Verluste entstehen.
Neben den eigentlichen Mykotoxinen rücken zunehmend deren Transformationsprodukte (TPs) in den Fokus. Diese können als natürliche Stoffwechselprodukte toxischer sein als das eigentliche Mykotoxin und stellen eine potenzielle zusätzliche Gefahr für den Verbraucher dar. TPs werden überwiegend mit in vitro und in vivo Techniken untersucht, welche sowohl zeit- als auch kostenintensiv sind. Ziel war es nun, schnelle und zudem verlässliche Techniken zur Simulation von TPs diverser Mykotoxine zu testen. Die Kopplung von Elektrochemie und Massenspektrometrie, kurz EC/MS, als rein instrumenteller Ansatz ist seit vielen Jahren in der pharmazeutischen Forschung etabliert. Hierbei wird mithilfe einer elektrochemischen Durchflusszelle der oxidative Metabolismus einer Substanz simuliert und zugleich analysiert.
Unter Verwendung von EC/MS, EC/LC/MS und HPLC-MS Techniken (MS/MS und FT-ICR) wurden nun die Mykotoxine Zearalenon, Citrinin und Dihydroergocristin (als Modellsubstanz für die Ergotalkaloide) elektrochemisch bei Potentialen bis zu 2500 mV vs. Pd/H2 oxidiert und deren TPs mit mikrosomalen in vitro Ansätzen verglichen. Hierbei konnten mehrere Übereinstimmungen hydroxylierter Spezies, sowohl elektrochemisch als auch biochemisch generiert, festgestellt werden. Die EC/MS ist somit auch in der Lebensmittelanalytik als nützliches und vielseitiges Werkzeug verwendbar.
The overall interest in nanotoxicity, triggered by the increasing use of nanomaterials in the material and life sciences, and the synthesis of an ever increasing number of new functional nanoparticles calls for standardized test procedures1,2 and for efficient approaches to screen the potential genotoxicity of these materials. Aiming at the development of fast and easy to use, automated microscopic methods for the determination of the genotoxicity of different types of nanoparticles, we assess the potential of the fluorometric γH2AX assay for this purpose. This assay, which can be run on an automated microscopic detection system, relies on the detection of DNA double strand breaks as a sign for genotoxicity3. Here, we provide first results obtained with broadly used nanomaterials like CdSe/CdS and InP/ZnS quantum dots as well as iron oxide, gold, and polymer particles of different surface chemistry with previously tested colloidal stability and different cell lines like Hep-2 and 8E11 cells, which reveal a dependence of the genotoxicity on the chemical composition as well as the surface chemistry of these nanomaterials. These studies will be also used to establish nanomaterials as positive and negative genotoxicity controls or standards for assay performance validation for users of this fluorometric genotoxicity assay. In the future, after proper validation, this microscopic platform technology will be expanded to other typical toxicity assays.