Corporate Retrospective 2007: New Objective

On behalf of New Objective, I extend my warm congratulations to LCGC in this, its historic 25th-year anniversary. New Objective shares in celebration, as we reach our own 10-year milestone in 2007. Back in 1997 when New Objective made its debut as a two-person corporation, personal risks were high, and the practice of applying nanobore reverse-phase chromatography and (nano)electrospray-enabled mass spectrometry was in its infancy. This past decade enabled us to participate in the growth, acceptance, and demand for both ion-trap and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry as definitive vehicles for high-sensitivity protein characterization and the now burgeoning field of proteomics.

Our clientele has expanded from a handful of passionate, dedicated analysts to thousands of multidisciplinary professionals across the life sciences, including chemists, biochemists, microbiologists, geneticists, enzymologists, and medical professionals. Global recognition of mass spectrometry as an effective technique goes hand-in-hand with the success of nanobore-scale, reverse-phase chromatography in generating superior separations from complex biological matrices. We have observed a wide-scale preference toward 75 μm columns ("the new 4.6"!), and enjoy the benefits of next-generation LC pumps that afford reliable split-free operation. Nanobore LC–MS systems now operate 24/7, while providing sub-femtomole limits of detection.

Significant technical challenges confront the next chapter of our evolving industry; much of this incorporates an emerging shift from qualitative analysis — asking, "What is there?"— to quantitative biomarker study — asking "How much is there?" Our success in this transition warrants further refinement of both nanobore chromatography and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Automated strategies for sample-handling, preparation, delivery, ionization, and analysis will become increasingly important as we forge ahead.

Gary Valaskovic

Gary Valaskovic, Ph.D.

President & Co-founder

New Objective, Inc.