Best of the Week: HTC-19 Insights for Analytical Science

This week, LCGC International brought together the latest developments and emerging trends in analytical science. Highlights from this year’s HTC-19 in Leven, Belgiumshowcase innovative advances in hyphenated techniques, automated LC method development, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven retention prediction, and graph-based peak alignment strategies that are transforming analytical workflows. Stories this week also explored the expanding role of multidimensional chromatography and ion mobility-high-resolution mass spectrometry (IM-HRMS) across food, environmental, petroleum, metabolomics, and pharmaceutical applications. In addition, readers will find practical insights into career development in the biotech industry alongside recent research on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) methods for food safety, residue analysis, and antioxidant studies. Together, these articles provide analytical scientists with a concise overview of technologies and applications shaping the future of separation science.

This is the Best of the Week.

HTC-19 Update: Opening Hyphenation Session

LCGC International’s Alasdair Matheson attended the first session at HTC-19 on Wednesday May 27, 2026, where an inspiring tryptch of speakers —Caroline West, Leon Barron, and Jackie Mosely—explored innovative aspects of modern hyphenated chromatography.¹

Read Additional HTC-19 Coverage

HTC-19 Update: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

This session focused on automated and computational approaches to LC method development, with five presentations spanning Bayesian optimization, hybrid retention modelling, quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR)-based retention prediction, graph-theoretic peak alignment, and functional data analysis.²

HTC-19 Update: The Power of The Hyphen

The session “The Power of The Hyphen” brought together five presentations exploring the application of multidimensional and coupled chromatographic methods to complex analytical challenges in food and beverage, petroleum, environmental, and pharmaceutical applications.³

The Role of IM-HRMS Outside Proteomics

High-end mass spectroscopy innovation is driven by proteomics, leaving scientists in other fields like drug development, environmental analysis, and metabolomics underserved.⁴

Advice for Early-Career Scientists Entering Industry

Genentech’s Bingchuan Wei shares practical guidance for early-career scientists seeking to transition into industry drug development across diverse therapeutic modalities.⁵

Chromatographic Analysis of Antimicrobial Residues in Legume-Based Foods Using LC–MS/MS

Researchers developed and validated a LC–MS/MS method for the detection of antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic residues in legume-based alternative protein products. LCGC International spoke to Awanwee Petchkongkaew and Chanita Boonkanon, corresponding and lead authors, respectively, of the paper outlining this work.⁶

GC-MS Detection of PCA in Root Canals: Antioxidant Irrigant Study

GC-MS quantified para-chloroaniline (PCA) formed in root canals, with sodium ascorbate as a final rinse proving most effective.⁷

Jim Grinias Wins 2026 HTC Innovation Award
James P. Grinias from Rowan University (Glassboro, New Jersey), is the winner of the 2026 HTC Innovation Award, which was presented at this week’s HTC-19 conference. The award is co-sponsored by the HTC conference and LCGC International.⁸

References

1. Matheson, A.HTC-19 Update: Opening Hyphenation Session. Chromatography Online website https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/htc-19-update-opening-hyphenation-session (accessed 2026-05-29)
2. Matheson, A.HTC-19 Update: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Chromatography Online website https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/htc-19-update-artificial-intelligence-and-machine-learning (accessed 2026-05-29)\
3. Matheson, A.HTC-19 Update: The Power of The Hyphen.Chromatography Online website romatographyonline.com/view/htc-19-update-the-power-of-the-hyphen (accessed 2026-05-29)
4. Strathmann, F. G.; Moser, K.; Batemann, K.The Role of IM-HRMS Outside Proteomics. Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/the-role-of-im-hrms-outside-proteomics (accessed 2026-05-22)
5. Wei, B. Advice for Early-Career Scientists Entering Industry. Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/advice-for-early-career-scientists-entering-industry (accessed 2026-05-29)
6. Awanwee Petchkongkaew, A.; Boonkanon, C.; Chasse, J. Chromatographic Analysis of Antimicrobial Residues in Legume-Based Foods Using LC–MS/MS. Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/chromatographic-analysis-antimicrobial-residues-legume-based-foods--lc-ms-ms (accessed 2026-05-29)
7. Chasse, J. GC-MS Detection of PCA in Root Canals: Antioxidant Irrigant Study. Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/gc-ms-detection-pca-root-canals-antioxidant-irrigant-study (accessed 2026-05-29)\
8. Matheson, A. Jim Grinias Wins 2026 HTC Innovation Award. Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/jim-grinias-wins-2026-htc-innovation-award (accessed 2026-05-29)