Best of the Week: Reunifying Separation Science, Top Content of 2024, Shimadzu’s 150th Anniversary

This week, LCGC International published a variety of articles on trending topics in separation science. Below, we’ve highlighted some of the most popular articles, according to our readers. Happy reading!

The LCGC Blog: Reunifying Separation Science

Caitlin N. Cain

Recently, Caitlin Cain of the University of Michigan shifted her research focus from using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC–TOF-MS) for discovery-based analyses to exploring new possibilities with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). While she knew there would be challenges with it, she did not anticipate the divide between those who use GC and those who use LC. In the first 2025 edition of The LCGC Blog, Cain discusses the division between GC and LC practitioners, and why future development of these techniques can be bolstered by having these techniques involved in the same conversations.

Trending on LCGC: The Top Content of 2024

Caroline Hroncich

As analytical science continues to evolve within both academic and industrial landscapes, the editors of LCGC International are equally focused on reimagining how we can deliver more innovative and engaging content to readers worldwide. Last year, we released a content series in celebration of Earth Day, covered a range of conferences like Pittcon, Analytica, the International Symposium on Chromatography (ISC), the Eastern Analytical Symposium (EAS), and released new episodes of our podcast, Analytically Speaking, each month, among other notable accomplishments. Building on these highlights, in this article, you will find a sampling of our most popular content from 2024, in no particular order.

Shimadzu Corporation Celebrates 150th Anniversary Milestone

Kate Jones

Shimadzu Corporation is celebrating a significant milestone in 2025: its 150th anniversary. Founded in Kyoto, Japan, Shimadzu has contributed to the fields of science and technology for a century and a half. To commemorate this achievement, the company has launched a dedicated website, inviting international participation in the celebrations. Here, we reflect on the company’s history and preview what they have in store for 2025.

Presenting GC Data Comparisons to Laypersons to Understand Potential Courtroom Implications

John Chasse

In forensic science, scientific testimony is routinely presented in court to juries who may have limited or no scientific background, putting law enforcement and defense personnel in the position of having to make rapid decisions in short timeframes based on findings of which they are not specialists. Katelynn Perrault Uptmor, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at William & Mary, and associates investigated a pool of individuals’ ability to observe differences in images for non-chromatographic photographs, one-dimensional gas chromatography (1D GC) chromatograms, and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) contour plots to identify whether comparative observations between two outputs were facilitated or hindered when observing GC chromatograms compared to GC×GC contour plots, using photographs as a control. Katelynn spoke to LCGC International about their findings, and the paper that resulted from it.

UHPLC–MS/MS Identifies Serum Biomarkers for Diagnosing Cystic Echinococcosis in Sheep

John Chasse

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a parasitic disease caused by infection with the larvae of tapeworms belonging to Echinococcus granulosus. It is a significant health concern, with two primary types of pathogens contributing to its prevalence: CE caused by E. granulosus sensu lato and alveolar echinococcosis attributed to Echinococcus multilocularis, with the former specifically standing out as the predominant pathogen responsible for hydatid disease worldwide. A recent study used ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) separation with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) detection to explore the metabolic alterations underlying the disease’s progression in sheep infected with CE. The goal, the research team wrote, was to increase the understanding of CE at the metabolic level and provide reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis of the disease in clinical settings.