Conversations with Michael Dong: HPLC Columns for Pharmaceutical Analysis

Michael Dong, editor of LCGC International's "Perspectives in HPLC" column, has launched a video series in 2026 called "HPLC in Pharmaceutical Analysis," which explores how the technique is used in the pharmaceutical field.

In celebration of National Chemistry Week at the end of October, ChromatographyOnline.com is pleased to share "Conversations with Michael Dong" this month, featuring highlights from the series. We encourage readers to watch the full series, a free and thorough educational introduction to HPLC for pharmaceutical laboratory professionals at every stage of their careers who want to brush up on the basics. No matter how much experience you have with the technique, you're sure to come away with useful tips for sharpening your skills.

In this installment, Dong discusses HPLC columns for pharmaceutical analysis, and the rationale for short columns. Column selection is one of the most consequential decisions an analyst makes during method development, shaping resolution, run time, solvent consumption, and overall method robustness. Dong offers practical guidance on choosing columns for pharmaceutical applications and explains why shorter columns packed with smaller particles can deliver faster analyses without sacrificing the separation performance that quality control and development laboratories depend on. He also shares tips analysts can apply immediately.

The entire video, “The “Best” HPLC Columns for Pharmaceutical Analysis” can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8lJ5_Thdbg

Previous videos in this series can be accessed here:
What Is a Basic Drug?

Michael W. Dong is a principal of MWD Consulting, which provides training and consulting services in HPLC and UHPLC, method improvement, pharmaceutical analysis, and drug quality. He was formerly a Senior Scientist at Genentech, a Research Fellow at Purdue Pharma, and a Senior Staff Scientist at Applied Biosystems/PerkinElmer. He holds a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from City University of New York. He has more than 130 publications and a bestselling book in chromatography. He is an editorial advisory board member of LCGC North America and the Chinese American Chromatography Association. Direct correspondence to: LCGCedit@mmhgroup.com.