This month we talk to Zhuoheng Zhou from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium, about his focus on advancing instrumental and column technologies for modern chromatography and its applications in novel biopharmaceutical modalities and proteomics. We also spoke to him about his work developing a protocol to help with the design of polymer monolithic capillary columns.
2019: Received master’s degree, started PhD in engineering sciences, and awarded HTC-16 Tube Award in Ghent, Belgium
2020: Publication of Assessing Effects of Ultrahigh-Pressure Liquid Chromatography Instrument Configuration on Dispersion, System Pressure, and Retention
2023: Publication of A Protocol for Fabrication of Polymer Monolithic Capillary Columns and Tuning the Morphology Targeting High-Resolution Bioanalysis in Gradient-Elution Liquid Chromatography
(1) Zhou, Z.; De Pra, M.; Steiner, F.; Desmet, G.; Eeltink, S. Assessing Effects of Ultrahigh‑Pressure Liquid Chromatography Instrument Configuration on Dispersion, System Pressure, and Retention. J. Chromatogr. A. 2020, 1634, 461660. DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2020.461660
(2) Zhou, Z.; Hilder, E. F.; Eeltink, S. A Protocol for Fabrication of Polymer Monolithic Capillary Columns and Tuning the Morphology Targeting High-Resolution Bioanalysis in Gradient-Elution Liquid Chromatography. J. Sep. Sci. 2023, 46, 2300439. DOI: 10.1002/jssc.202300439
Zhuoheng Zhou was trained as a chemist at Xiamen University (XMU) before he obtained his M.Sc. degree in analytical chemistry at the Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore (NUS). He then enrolled in Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and joined the Bio-Analytical Separation Science (BASS) group as a PhD researcher under the supervision of Sebastiaan Eeltink and Gert Desmet. He is currently conducting his postdoctoral research, which focuses on UHPLC instrumentation and microcolumn technology, and their application in environmental analysis, biopharmaceutical characterization, and proteomic profiling.
Reversed-Phases for LC Deliberately Doped with Positive Charge: Tips and Tricks for Effective Use
May 13th 2025In this month's edition of LC Troubleshooting, Dwight Stoll and his fellow researchers discuss both the benefits (improved peak shape/loading) and challenges (excessive interaction) associated with charge-doped reversed-phase (RP) columns for both analytical and preparative separations.
Investigating 3D-Printable Stationary Phases in Liquid Chromatography
May 7th 20253D printing technology has potential in chromatography, but a major challenge is developing materials with both high porosity and robust mechanical properties. Recently, scientists compared the separation performances of eight different 3D printable stationary phases.
Characterizing Polyamides Using Reversed-Phase Liquid Chromatography
May 5th 2025Polyamides can be difficult to characterize, despite their use in various aspects of everyday life. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam researchers hoped to address this using a reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC)-based approach.