Although modern agriculture needs to be based on accurate real-time data on soil, plant, and environmental conditions, affordable, sufficiently sensitive, and robust monitoring devices for this purpose are currently missing. According to scientists, low-cost sensors based on new smart materials and printing technologies offer a suitable solution. The results of multidisciplinary research thus far and proposals for the development of these devices have been presented by researchers from Czechia, Great Britain, Spain, and the USA in a review article in the prestigious journal <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-68778-6#Abs1">Nature Communications</a>.“Sensor technologies for monitoring plant health are still in their infancy. Only simple sensors capable of monitoring basic parameters such as pH, soil moisture, or temperature are commonly available on the market. However, if farmers are to face current challenges, including climate change, and ensure sufficient food for humanity, they need much more effective tools that will enable them to monitor, for example, various pathogens, including bacteria and fungi. In our opinion, a suitable solution is a combination of new smart materials and printing for the production of inexpensive, durable, and scalable materials,” said the article’s first author, David Panáček from CATRIN, who worked on the study during his internship at Imperial College London.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CATRIN_Soucasne_senzory_nestaci_Vedci_navrhuji_novou_cestu_ke_sledovani_zdravi_rostlin_b4014952a3.jpg" alt="CATRIN: David Panáček" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CATRIN_Soucasne_senzory_nestaci_Vedci_navrhuji_novou_cestu_ke_sledovani_zdravi_rostlin_b4014952a3.jpg 208w," sizes="100vw" width="1536" height="1152">Sensors for monitoring plant health, for example, lag behind similar devices used in human medicine. According to the authors, advances in materials science, which will enable the development of scalable sensor technologies, play a key role in this potential shift. “Printing techniques, including inkjet printing, screen printing, aerosol printing, 3D printing, and direct laser writing, offer flexible ways to produce flexible sensors, large-area sensors, and sensors integrated directly into plants. The review article summarizes recent advances in printable low-dimensional materials for agricultural sensors, analyzes their physico-chemical properties in relation to sensor performance, and discusses key challenges and future opportunities requiring interdisciplinary integration,” said one of the corresponding authors, Michal Otyepka.The research brought together materials scientists, chemists, biologists, sensing experts, and printing technology specialists. Materials research and the use of graphene-based smart materials were led by scientists from CATRIN at Palacký University and VŠB-Technical University of Ostrava. Plant biologists from CATRIN contributed their knowledge of plant development, their responses to stress conditions, and the monitoring of their properties. Researchers from Imperial College London took care of the electronics, while representatives from<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/companies/36"> CEITEC – VUT</a> focused on printing technologies. The team also included leading experts in sensing from the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Barcelona, and Joseph Wang of the University of California San Diego, the “father of sensing and electrochemistry,” also contributed his extensive knowledge.“This is a groundbreaking study on this topic, which has managed to attract some truly big names in their respective fields. Last but not least, the study demonstrates that interdisciplinarity at CATRIN gives rise to completely new and promising research topics, such as plant sensing and its use for studying plant-environment interactions and smart agriculture,” added another corresponding author, Nuria De Diego.

Current sensors are not good enough. Scientists propose a new way to monitor plant health

In the week from February 16, the following webinars await you in the field of atomic and molecular spectroscopy and spectrometry<blockquote><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinars">👉 DETAILS AND REGISTRATION IN THE WEBINARS SECTION</a></h4>👉 Search and filter in the largest global database with over 5 000 GC, LC, MS and spectroscopy webinars.</blockquote><h5>1. Thermo Fisher Scientific: The Perfect Pair for GMP Compliance – IonicX and TruScan for Raw Material Identification and Verification</h5><ul><li>Tu, 17.2.2026 20:00 CET</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/5835">Registration</a></li></ul>Learn how the IonicX™ Portable XRF Analyzer enables rapid, at-line identification of ionic salts in GMP manufacturing, delivering real-time PASS/FAIL results and streamlined raw material verification.<h5>2. Milestone: Reliable Mercury Analysis in Environmental Samples – Tools, Techniques, and Best Practices</h5><ul><li>Th, 19.2.2026 16:00 CET</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/5804">Registration</a></li></ul>Episode 3 focuses on reliable mercury analysis in environmental samples, demonstrating how direct analysis simplifies workflows, reduces contamination risks, and delivers accurate results without digestion.<h5>3. Agilent Technologies: Learn How to Confirm Your Data on ICP-OES – Are You Getting the Right Result?</h5><ul><li>Th, 19.2.2026 20:00 CET</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/2785">Registration</a></li></ul>This webinar discusses accuracy and precision in ICP-OES analysis and practical strategies to ensure reliable and defensible results.

Webinars LabRulezICPMS Week 08/2026

Metalloproteins play essential roles in marine phytoplankton, yet their metalloproteomes remain poorly characterized. This study combines protein modeling, quantitative proteomics, and ICP-MS measurements to assess metal requirements across several phytoplankton species, including chlorophytes, a haptophyte, and a cyanobacterium.Results show strong agreement between proteome-inferred metal demands and measured cellular metal quotas, while providing deeper insight into biological functions. Mg-containing proteins were most abundant overall, with Zn, Fe, and Mn as dominant trace cofactors. Distinct differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic phytoplankton were observed, and strain-level analysis demonstrated how metalloproteomes reflect environmental adaptation and metal limitation strategies.<blockquote><h4>The original article</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c11233">Unlocking Phytoplankton Metallomes with Comparative Analysis of Metal Quotas, Quantitative Proteomics, and Inferred Metalloproteomes</a></h4>Qiong Zhang*, Jiayou Ge, Fengjie Liu, Shabaz Mohammed, Kedong Yin, and Rosalind E. M. RickabyEnviron. Sci. Technol. 2025, 59, 50, 27367–27377<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5c11233">https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5c11233</a><h6>licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC-BY 4.0</a></h6></blockquote>Selected sections from the article follow. Formats and hyperlinks were adapted from the original.Many important biological processes of phytoplankton, including photosynthesis, carbon fixation, and nitrogen reduction, rely on enzymes that have metals as cofactors. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1)</a> It has been estimated that half of all enzymes must be associated with a particular metal to function. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(2)</a> The availability of metals in the environment has changed over geological time and, given imperfections in the selectivity of metal transport systems, proteins have evolved to make the best use of metals that are more available. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(3−5)</a> Depending on their evolutionary histories, different groups of marine phytoplankton may have differences in their metalloprotein compositions and metal transport strategies. The evolving trace metal availability in the environment, thus, may provide a selective pressure to promote the proliferation of different phytoplankton groups in the oceanic environment, affecting the phytoplankton community structure with knock-on effects on the marine food web and carbon sequestration. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(5)</a> It is crucial to understand the utilization of trace metals by different groups of marine phytoplankton that inhabit contrasting niches in the modern ocean, not only by assessing the accumulation of trace metals in cells but also examining the functions of trace metals in different biological pathways.In previous studies, the utilization or requirements of trace metals by marine phytoplankton were mostly determined by measuring the elemental stoichiometry in cells (metallome or quota of trace metals). <a href="javascript:void(0);">(6−8)</a> In the field, attempts have also been made to investigate the elements in phytoplankton <a href="javascript:void(0);">(9,10)</a> which have then been compared with profiles in the abiotic environment to understand their relationships. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(11)</a> The discovery of various metal storage proteins and the plasticity in elemental quotas under different environmental conditions raise the question of whether intracellular trace metal quotas reflect true differences in trace metal usage by phytoplankton. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(12,13)</a> In the past few decades, more and more studies have focused on metal–protein partnerships, using approaches such as genome-wide analysis to identify homologues of known metalloproteins and other deduced metal-binding motifs encoded within sequenced genomes. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(5,14)</a> However, this approach has limitations in estimating metal abundance in cells because not all genes predicted in the genome would be translated and expressed as proteins under all environments, and a single gene for a metalloprotein could be highly expressed, such that a translation from genetic presence to a required concentration is not linear and could be environment-dependent. To obtain in situ metal abundance in metalloproteins in cells, native separation of proteins by HPLC or PAGE followed by the detection of metals using ICP-MS <a href="javascript:void(0);">(15,16)</a> has been used. This approach also has limitations in that, without bioinformatics, it cannot identify the function of proteins within which the metals are found, and it may also depend on the composition of the media to which the organism has been exposed and in which it has been growing. An ideal way to solve the problem would be to separate and purify each of the proteins and then identify both the associated metal (e.g., by ICP-MS) and the protein sequence (e.g., by mass spectrometry). However, this approach is constrained by the resolution of chromatographic or electrophoretic techniques, making it challenging to establish the metal–protein associations unambiguously; many proteins often co-occur in metal-containing fractions. Additionally, this method requires huge volumes of biomass and is both time-consuming and complex, complicating the reconstruction of the expressed metalloproteome in cells. The techniques and challenges for metalloproteomics have been discussed in detail in previously published review articles (and the references therein). <a href="javascript:void(0);">(17)</a>In this study, we determined the trace metal utilization (the metallome) of different phytoplankton from their expressed proteome via a protein modeling and homologue identification approach, and then compared the resulting metallome with the metal quota data measured by the traditional inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). This approach allows the building of a link between the truly used trace elements and their biological functions in phytoplankton. We aim to fill the gap between an estimation of metals encoded in the genome and metal analysis by ICP-MS in phytoplankton, which may be more broadly applicable to infer cellular metallomes.<h3>Materials and Methods</h3><h4>ICP-MS Analysis</h4>All preparation of samples for ICP-MS measurement was undertaken using trace metal clean methods. All plasticware used in this study, including culture flasks, pipette tips, and centrifuge tubes, was precleaned in 10% quartz-distilled HCl and thoroughly rinsed with 18 MΩ cm water in a clean laboratory. Trace elements in the filtered lysates of G. huxleyi (OA1, OA4, OA8, OA15, OA16, OA23, and RCC 1242) and Synechocystis (FACHB898) strains were measured using an ICP-MS. The detailed ICP-MS method and instrumental settings are described in Zhang et al. (2018). <a href="javascript:void(0);">(31)</a><h4>Protein Mass Spectrometry</h4>The peptides were resuspended in 5% formic acid and 5% DMSO prior to mass spectrometry. They were separated on an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=3&amp;search=Ultimate+3000+UHPLC">Ultimate 3000 UHPLC </a>system (Thermo Fisher Scientific) and electrosprayed directly into a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products/559">Q-Exactive Mass Spectrometer</a> (Thermo Fisher Scientific) through an EASY-Spray nanoelectrospray ion source (Thermo Fisher Scientific). The peptides were trapped on a C18 PepMap100 precolumn (300 μm i.d. × 5 mm, 100 Å, Thermo Fisher Scientific) using solvent A (0.1% formic acid in water) at a pressure of 500 bar. The peptides were separated on an in-house packed analytical column (75 μm i.d. × 50 cm packed with ReproSil-Pur 120 C18-AQ, 1.9 μm, 120 Å, Dr. Maisch GmbH) using a linear gradient (length: 65 min, 15% to 35% solvent B [0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile], flow rate: 200 nL/min). The raw data were acquired on the mass spectrometer in a data-dependent mode (DDA). Full scan MS spectra were acquired in the Orbitrap (scan range 350–1500 m/z, resolution 70000, AGC target 3e6, maximum injection time 50 ms). After the MS scans, the 10 most intense peaks were selected for HCD fragmentation at 30% of normalized collision energy. HCD spectra were also acquired in the Orbitrap (resolution 17500, AGC target 5e4, maximum injection time 120 ms, isolation window 1.5 m/z) with the first fixed mass at 180 m/z. Charge exclusion was selected for unassigned and 1+ ions. The dynamic exclusion was set to 20 s.<h3>Results and Discussion</h3><h4>Trace Elements Determined from the Expressed Proteomes of Different Phytoplankton</h4>Based on the expressed proteome sequences, we predicted metal-binding proteins and compared their distribution among various phytoplankton species (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c11233#fig2">Figure 2</a>). The inference revealed 28 different metals in G. huxleyi, 31 different metals in C. reinhardtii, and 30 different metals in Synechocystis. Although only 6 different metals were identified in O. tauri proteins, it has to be noted that the analysis for O. tauri was only based on the 40 most abundant proteins reported in this organism <a href="javascript:void(0);">(21)</a> and, hence, the listed elements, including Mg, Fe, Mn, Ca, Zn, and Cu, may represent the most essential metals for the species.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Environ_Sci_Technol_2025_59_50_27367_27377_Figure_2_The_number_of_metal_binding_proteins_identified_in_the_expressed_proteome_of_the_haptophyte_G_9b8ac0f004.jpeg" alt="Environ. Sci. Technol. 2025, 59, 50, 27367–27377: Figure 2. The number of metal-binding proteins identified in the expressed proteome of the haptophyte G. huxleyi (a), the chlorophyte C. reinhardtii (b) and O. tauri(c), and the cyanobacteria Synechocystis (d). Pie charts show the percentages of metalloproteins containing specific metals. Original proteome data for G. huxleyi are from Mckew et al. (2013) (24) for C. reinhardtii are from Hsieh et al. (2013) (77) for O.tauriare from Martin et al. (2012) (21) for Synechocystisare from Chen et al. (2018). (22) *Noted that for O. tauri, only the 40 most abundant proteins were included in this analysis. ND: no metal binding was found in the proteins." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Environ_Sci_Technol_2025_59_50_27367_27377_Figure_2_The_number_of_metal_binding_proteins_identified_in_the_expressed_proteome_of_the_haptophyte_G_9b8ac0f004.jpeg 123w," sizes="100vw" width="934" height="1181">The number of proteins that bind with different metals varies dramatically in phytoplankton. For metalloproteins, there are variations in the binding affinities of different metals to organic molecules. For example, the affinities of divalent metals to proteins have a tendency to follow a universal order of preference, namely the Irving-Williams series (Mg2+ and Ca2+ [weakest binding] &lt; Mn2+ &lt; Fe2+ &lt; Co2+ &lt; Ni2+ &lt; Cu2+ &gt; Zn2+). <a href="javascript:void(0);">(43)</a> Cells can simultaneously contain proteins having high-affinity-binding metals, such as Cu and Zn, and others that require uncompetitive metals, such as Mg and Ca. One of the least competitive metals for binding with biological chelators, Mg, is even found to be the most widely distributed metal in the metalloproteomes of various phytoplankton species in this study, supporting the observations of high concentrations in the protein fraction of cells (at millimolar concentrations <a href="javascript:void(0);">(31)</a>).In all phytoplankton species in our analysis, the Mg-containing proteins are found to have the highest proportion in all metalloproteins identified. About 30% of the metalloproteins in different strains of phytoplankton are found to contain Mg or depend on it for function (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c11233#fig2">Figure 2</a>), suggesting the important role of Mg in phytoplankton cells. It is generally coordinated in protein complexes by ATP or ADP and has also been found to be largely distributed in the chloroplasts or thylakoids in G. huxleyi and Synechocystis. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(22,24)</a> The essential roles of Mg in plants have been reported in various studies. Mg2+ is known to be the central atom of the chlorophyll molecule, and its levels in the chloroplast regulate the activity of key photosynthetic enzymes. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(44)</a> It was reported that approximately 15–35% of total Mg is in the chloroplasts of a plant, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(45)</a> and it also serves as an osmotically active ion in the regulation of cells <a href="javascript:void(0);">(46)</a><h4>Comparison Between Metallome Measured Directly and Reconstructed from Proteins</h4>A large proportion of metals, such as Fe, Mn, and Cu, are found in membrane proteins,and may contribute significantly to total cellular quotas. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(54,55)</a> However, for method development purpose, we endeavored to remove the cell membranes from our samples to focus mostly on the analysis of intracellular metal quotas and metalloproteins in the cytosol fraction in this study. We note that our analysis includes some membrane-bound proteins likely derived from organelles or surface membranes disrupted during sonication.The derivation of cellular metal composition, as determined by two different methods, is compared in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c11233#fig3">Figure 3</a>. The abundance of metal in the proteins is determined as the relative abundance of the protein multiplied by the number of metal ions needed for the specific protein. The abundance of the proteins was normalized to ensure that the total intensities from each replicate measurement for the same species were similar. Since the proteomic data used here were generated from different studies using different instruments, we cannot quantify or compare the absolute biomass of proteins used for each species. Therefore, we cannot compare the absolute trace metal abundance between species solely from metal inferences of expressed proteomes. Nevertheless, we can estimate the relative abundance of different metals in the same species. For the elements that are both measured by the ICP-MS and identified in the proteome, there are generally good correlations (r2 = 0.81 in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c11233#fig3">Figure 3</a>a and r2 = 0.74 in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c11233#fig3">Figure 3</a>b) between the two approaches. This indicates that the metal compositions determined from the protein modeling may be reliable and, therefore, can reflect the metal usage in different phytoplankton. This would provide a level of assurance to further investigate the metal binding associated with various proteins, thereby deepening our understanding of the roles that different metals play in phytoplankton.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Environ_Sci_Technol_2025_59_50_27367_27377_Figure_3_Relationship_between_the_abundance_of_metals_determined_by_ICP_MS_analysis_e7b259e376.jpeg" alt="Environ. Sci. Technol. 2025, 59, 50, 27367–27377: Figure 3. Relationship between the abundance of metals determined by ICP-MS analysis (normalized to C, mmol/mol C) and metal abundance determined from the metalloproteome analysis (the unit is arbitrary). To account for strain variations, the ICP-MS data for the cellular metal content of G. huxleyi are average values from 7 G. huxleyi strains isolated from different areas of the ocean, and the proteome-derived metal composition data are average values calculated from 2 of those G. huxleyi strains (OA1 and OA16) isolated previously, and data from Mckew et al., 2013. (24) The ICP-MS data for Synechocystis are from Synechocystis sp. FACHB898 measured in this study, and the proteome data are calculated from Chen et al., 2018. (22) Noted that the abundance of metals from each proteome was calculated by using the metal stoichiometry multiplied by the relative abundance of proteins, which provides only a relative relationship of different trace metals, not absolute abundance. The symbols represent the mean values, and the error bars indicate standard deviations." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Environ_Sci_Technol_2025_59_50_27367_27377_Figure_3_Relationship_between_the_abundance_of_metals_determined_by_ICP_MS_analysis_e7b259e376.jpeg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1384" height="641">Compared to the other metals investigated in this study, Ca and Mg appear to have a much higher relative abundance in the ICP-MS analysis than in the proteomic analysis of G. huxleyi and Synechocystis (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c11233#fig3">Figure 3</a>). These two elements are essential macronutrients for phytoplankton and plants. Ca is the most prominent secondary messenger that plays a crucial role in response to extracellular stimuli in all eukaryotes. Ca2+ fluxes are transported via Ca channels and transporters, such as Ca-ATPase, regulating a series of important biological functions, including mineral uptake and utilization, K+ homeostasis adjustment, and regulatory network activity in response to P or N deficiency. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(56)</a> Ca is not always incorporated into protein structures. The Ca abundance determined from the proteins in this study, therefore, is much lower than the actual Ca needed intracellularly. Similarly, the intracellular Mg2+ and K+ abundances should also be higher than those determined from the protein structures. Free Mg2+ and K+ are known to regulate cation–anion balance and serve as osmotically active ions in the regulation of cells <a href="javascript:void(0);">(46)</a> but free metal ion concentrations cannot be determined through the approach used in this study. Thus, it is not surprising to see much higher relative abundances of Ca and Mg in ICP-MS analysis than in proteomic analysis (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c11233#fig3">Figure 3</a>).

Unlocking Phytoplankton Metallomes with Comparative Analysis of Metal Quotas, Quantitative Proteomics, and Inferred Metalloproteomes

Article

Webinars

Scientific article

Science and research

The Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute (CATRIN) at Palacký University is a cutting-edge scientific hub dedicated to advancing research in the fields of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and biomedicine. At its core, CATRIN boasts outstanding scientific teams, featuring international researchers. We emphasize interdisciplinarity, foster global collaborations, and work to translate our research findings into practical applications.

CATRIN

Everything from the world of analytical chemistry in one place. We connect people in solving their problems. At Labrulez you will find all the necessary information easily, quickly and clearly. Stop searching and start finding.

LabRulez

Milestone

Thermo Fisher Scientific

In this first part of our two-part educational webinar, we will take you through the main considerations of sample prep and sample introduction techniques.
We will also discuss plasma effect and instrumentation maintenance. 
This session “From sample prep to data evaluation using ICP-OES and ICP-MS” will cover:
<ul>
<li>Sample Prep – creating serial dilutions from stock standards
</li>
<li>Sample introduction options and considerations – matrix matching, physical and chemical interferences
</li>
<li>Inductively Coupled Plasma – RF, plasma effects
</li>
<li>ICP-OES and ICP-MS cleaning and maintenance
</li>
<li>ICP-OES and ICP-MS theory of operation
</li>
</ul>
Learning points:
<ul>
<li>Learn theoretical and practical fundamentals for daily operation with ICP-OES and ICP-MS
</li>
<li>Learn about sample preparation, sample introduction and plasma settings to integrate and optimize this technology in your routine analysis
</li>
<li>Learn tips and trick for cleaning and maintenance to improve your analytical performance
</li>
</ul>
Who should attend:
<ul>
<li>Laboratory managers and analysts who work with ICP-OES and ICP-MS systems
</li>
<li>Analysts who want to learn about sample prep, sample introduction and instrument maintenance
</li>
<li>Laboratory leaders who want to leverage the full potential of their instrument
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Matthew Gregory (Specialist, Sales Support, TEA &amp; DIA, UK &amp; Ireland, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
After graduating from the University of Surrey with an MChem in Chemistry, Matthew has gained 15 years’ experience of trace elemental analysis in industry, working in environmental and precious metal research laboratories. In 2018 Matthew joined Thermo Fisher Scientific as an Applications Specialist for the Trace Elemental Analysis product range in the UK and Ireland.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Niel Williams (Specialist, Sales Support, TEA &amp; DIA, UK &amp; Ireland, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
After graduating in 2014, Niel first joined Teledyne Advanced Chemistry systems as an applications specialist and later technical sales specialist. In 2019, he took the role of applications specialist for the Trace Elemental Analysis product range in the UK and Ireland at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Niel holds a BSc in Geology and Planetary science and a PhD in Isotope Geochemistry from the University of Manchester.
</blockquote>

Thermo Scientific: Introduction to ICP spectrometry: Part 1

Introduction to ICP spectrometry: Part 1

The main considerations of sample prep and sample introduction techniques.

In our second part of this educational webinar, we will show you various tips and tricks for performance optimization, method development and data handling.
The session &quot;From sample prep to data evaluation using ICP-OES and ICP-MS&quot; will cover: 
<ul>
<li>System Optimization – Performance reports, Mass Cal/Cross Cal, KED interface cleaning, Conditioning
</li>
<li>Method development – Correct wavelength/viewing mode and isotope selection, interferences – spectral and m/z, determine correct internal standards to use and validation of method
</li>
<li>Data evaluation – correcting for background and interferences, stability, and sensitivity verification, Examine calibration curves for R2, LOD and saturation, QC data, carryover and drift correction
</li>
</ul>
Learning points:
<ul>
<li>Learn theoretical and practical fundamentals for daily operation with ICP-OES and ICP-MS
</li>
<li>Learn about system optimization, method development and data evaluation to integrate and optimize this technology in your routine analysis
</li>
<li>Learn tips and trick for cleaning and maintenance to improve your analytical performance
</li>
</ul>
Who should attend:
<ul>
<li>Laboratory managers and analysts who work with ICP-OES and ICP-MS systems
</li>
<li>Analysts who want to learn about sample prep, sample introduction and instrument maintenance
</li>
<li>Laboratory leaders who want to leverage the full potential of their instrument
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Niel Williams (Specialist, Sales Support, TEA &amp; DIA, UK &amp; Ireland, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
After graduating in 2014, Niel first joined Teledyne Advanced Chemistry systems as an applications specialist and later technical sales specialist. In 2019, he took the role of applications specialist for the Trace Elemental Analysis product range in the UK and Ireland at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Niel holds a BSc in Geology and Planetary science and a PhD in Isotope Geochemistry from the University of Manchester.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Matthew Gregory (Specialist, Sales Support, TEA &amp; DIA, UK &amp; Ireland, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
After graduating from the University of Surrey with an MChem in Chemistry, Matthew has gained 15 years’ experience of trace elemental analysis in industry, working in environmental and precious metal research laboratories. In 2018 Matthew joined Thermo Fisher Scientific as an Applications Specialist for the Trace Elemental Analysis product range in the UK and Ireland.
</blockquote>

Thermo Scientific: Introduction to ICP spectrometry: Part 2

Introduction to ICP spectrometry: Part 2

Various tips and tricks for performance optimization, method development and data handling.

Extracting the full potential of trace elemental analysis instrumentation to meet regulatory, compliance and performance requirements: Part 1 ICP-OES
Join this virtual demonstration of the Thermo Scientific iCAP PRO Series ICP-OES to learn how to easily meet and surpass regulatory requirements for your trace elemental analysis. In this online seminar we will focus on three key markets and demonstrate how the hardware and software of the iCAP PRO enhance performance and simplify your analysis.
The three markets covered are: 
Environmental – Discover how enhanced detector capabilities and optical design allow class leading detection limits and speed of analysis to be achieved. Comprehensive quality control features within the software simplify data validation. 
Precious metals – With its new vertical torch design and higher resolution camera, better robustness and signal stability are obtained with the iCAP PRO. Automated interelement interference workflows with customizable limits add enhanced accuracy and flexibility for your analysis. 
Wear metals and lubricants – Improved system robustness and speed of analysis enable longer run times between maintenance for oil-based samples. 
This online seminar will conclude with a short panel discussion around the new regulations within each market and how the instrument hardware and software features future-proof your laboratory. 
Learning points:
<ul>
<li>Discover how the new hardware of the iCAP PRO provides you with class leading performance.
</li>
<li>Learn about modern software tools to integrate this technology into your routine analysis and simplify compliance with market regulations.
</li>
<li>Find out how instruments from Thermo Fisher Scientific future-proof your lab, preparing you for stricter regulations with ever decreasing limits of detection, higher accuracy and better stability requirements.
</li>
</ul>
Who should attend? 
<ul>
<li>Laboratory managers and analysts who work with ICP-OES systems. 
</li>
<li>Analysts who want to learn about the latest technology. 
</li>
<li>Laboratory leaders who want to leverage the full potential of their instrument.
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Matthew Gregory (Specialist, Sales Support, TEA &amp; DIA, UK &amp; Ireland, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
After graduating from the University of Surrey with an MChem in Chemistry, Matthew has gained 15 years experience of trace elemental analysis in industry, working in environmental and precious metal research laboratories. In 2018 Matthew joined Thermo Fisher Scientific as an Applications Specialist for the Trace Elemental Analysis product range in the UK and Ireland.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Niel Williams (Specialist, Sales Support, TEA &amp; DIA, UK &amp; Ireland, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
After graduating in 2014, Niel first joined Teledyne Advanced Chemistry systems as an applications specialist and later technical sales specialist. In 2019, he took the role of applications specialist for the Trace Elemental Analysis product range in the UK and Ireland at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Niel holds a BSc in Geology and Planetary science and a PhD in Isotope Geochemistry from the University of Manchester.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Simon Nelms (Product Marketing Manager TEA, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Simon joined Thermo Fisher Scientific in 1996 as an applications specialist for ICP-MS, before taking a 2-year postdoctoral sabbatical at IRMM in Belgium. He re-joined the company in 2000 and in 2014 moved into Regional Marketing for the EMEA area. Simon has recently joined the Product Marketing team, covering trace elemental analysis accessories and software.
</blockquote>

Thermo Scientific: ICP-OES Educational Webinar

ICP-OES Educational Webinar

How to easily meet and surpass regulatory requirements for your trace elemental analysis.

Extracting the full potential of trace elemental analysis instrumentation to meet regulatory, compliance and performance requirements - Part 2 ICP-MS
Join this virtual demonstration of the Thermo Scientific™ iCAP™ RQ ICP-MS to learn how to easily meet and surpass regulatory requirements for your trace elemental analysis. In this online seminar we will focus on three key markets and demonstrate how the hardware and software of the iCAP RQ enhance performance and simplify your analysis.
The three markets covered are: 
Clinical research – Analyse difficult matrices with ease with enhanced system robustness and matrix tolerance. Advanced quality control features within the software simplify data validation. 
Environmental – Discover how the new ceramic PLUS torch enables improved performance and robustness. Find out about how to improve sample turnaround and validate large data sets quickly. 
Pharmaceutical – Learn how the tools in the Thermo Scientific Qtegra ISDS software enable full compliance with the requirements of regulatory frameworks such as the US FDA 21 CFR Part 11. 
This online seminar will conclude with a short panel discussion around the new regulations within each market and how the instrument hardware and software features future-proof your laboratory. 
Learning points:
<ul>
<li>Discover how the Thermo Scientific™ iCAP™ RQ hardware features provide you with class leading sensitivity, detection limits and stability. 
</li>
<li>Learn about how the latest software tools enable integration of this technology into your routine analysis and simplify compliance with your market regulations. 
</li>
<li>Find out how instruments from Thermo Fisher Scientific future-proof your lab, preparing you for stricter regulations with ever decreasing limits of detection, higher accuracy and better stability requirements.
</li>
</ul>
Who should attend? 
<ul>
<li>Laboratory managers and analysts who work with ICP-MS systems. 
</li>
<li>Analysts who want to learn about the latest technology. 
</li>
<li>Laboratory leaders who want to leverage the full potential of their instrument.
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Matthew Gregory (Specialist, Sales Support, TEA &amp; DIA, UK &amp; Ireland, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
After graduating from the University of Surrey with an MChem in Chemistry, Matthew has gained 15 years’ experience of trace elemental analysis in industry, working in environmental and precious metal research laboratories. In 2018 Matthew joined Thermo Fisher Scientific as an Applications Specialist for the Trace Elemental Analysis product range in the UK and Ireland.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Niel Williams (Specialist, Sales Support, TEA &amp; DIA, UK &amp; Ireland, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
After graduating in 2014, Niel first joined Teledyne Advanced Chemistry systems as an applications specialist and later technical sales specialist. In 2019, he took the role of applications specialist for the Trace Elemental Analysis product range in the UK and Ireland at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Niel holds a BSc in Geology and Planetary science and a PhD in Isotope Geochemistry from the University of Manchester.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Simon Nelms (Product Marketing Manager TEA, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Simon joined Thermo Fisher Scientific in 1996 as an applications specialist for ICP-MS, before taking a 2-year postdoctoral sabbatical at IRMM in Belgium. He re-joined the company in 2000 and in 2014 moved into Regional Marketing for the EMEA area. Simon has recently joined the Product Marketing team, covering trace elemental analysis accessories and software.
</blockquote>

Thermo Scientific: ICP-MS Educational Webinar

ICP-MS Educational Webinar

Extracting the full potential of trace elemental analysis instrumentation to meet regulatory, compliance and performance requirements: Part 3 Triple quadrupole ICP-MS
Join this virtual demonstration of the Thermo Scientific™ iCAP™ TQe/TQ ICP-MS to learn how to easily meet and surpass regulatory requirements for your trace elemental analysis. In this online seminar we will focus on three key markets and demonstrate how the hardware and software of the iCAP TQe/TQ enhance performance and simplify your analysis.
The three markets covered are: 
Clinical research – Obtain high accuracy results in complex samples with reaction cell technology. 
Water analysis – Discover how to run a complete analytical suite using oxygen reaction cell mode only. Find out about how to improve sample turnaround time and validate large data sets quickly. 
Food and beverage – Learn how to improve detection limits for key elements such as As and Se by utilizing reaction cell chemistry. 
This online seminar will conclude with a short panel discussion around the new regulations within each market and how the instrument hardware and software features future-proof your laboratory. 
Learning points:
<ul>
<li>Discover how the Thermo Scientific iCAP TQe/TQ hardware features provide you with enhanced interference removal. 
</li>
<li>Learn how optimised software tools enable triple quadrupole technology to be easily integrated into both routine and research analysis. 
</li>
<li>Find out how instruments from Thermo Fisher Scientific future-proof your lab, preparing you for stricter regulations with ever decreasing limits of detection, higher accuracy and better stability requirements.
</li>
</ul>
Who should attend? 
<ul>
<li>Laboratory managers and analysts who have specific analytical challenges with interferences. 
</li>
<li>Researchers who want to be ready for future challenges in trace elemental analysis. 
</li>
<li>Laboratory leaders who want to leverage the full potential of their instrument.
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Matthew Gregory (Specialist, Sales Support, TEA &amp; DIA, UK &amp; Ireland, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
After graduating from the University of Surrey with an MChem in Chemistry, Matthew has gained 15 years’ experience of trace elemental analysis in industry, working in environmental and precious metal research laboratories. In 2018 Matthew joined Thermo Fisher Scientific as an Applications Specialist for the Trace Elemental Analysis product range in the UK and Ireland.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Niel Williams (Specialist, Sales Support, TEA &amp; DIA, UK &amp; Ireland, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
After graduating in 2014, Niel first joined Teledyne Advanced Chemistry systems as an applications specialist and later technical sales specialist. In 2019, he took the role of applications specialist for the Trace Elemental Analysis product range in the UK and Ireland at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Niel holds a BSc in Geology and Planetary science and a PhD in Isotope Geochemistry from the University of Manchester.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Simon Nelms (Product Marketing Manager TEA, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Simon joined Thermo Fisher Scientific in 1996 as an applications specialist for ICP-MS, before taking a 2-year postdoctoral sabbatical at IRMM in Belgium. He re-joined the company in 2000 and in 2014 moved into Regional Marketing for the EMEA area. Simon has recently joined the Product Marketing team, covering trace elemental analysis accessories and software.
</blockquote>

Thermo Scientific: Triple quadrupole ICP-MS Educational Webinar

Triple quadrupole ICP-MS Educational Webinar

How the hardware and software of the iCAP TQe/TQ enhance performance and simplify your analysis.

In this two-part webinar series, the sources of interferences in ICP-OES and ICP-MS and how to identify them will be described.
Software approaches for correcting interfered results which each technique will be presented and the latest instrumental developments for minimizing interference problems will also be discussed.
Interferences are a well-known problem in both inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and ICP–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). They can be subdivided into three main types: chemical, physical, and spectral.
<ul>
<li>Chemical interferences are caused by differences in the way sample and calibration solution matrices behave in the plasma, resulting in changes in atomization and ionization that are dependent on the matrix composition of the sample. An example of this type of interference is the enhancement effect (which causes falsely high results) observed on both atom and ion signals for elements such as arsenic and selenium, when carbon is present in the samples but not the calibration solutions.
</li>
<li>Physical interferences are also caused by matrix differences between samples and calibration solutions. Examples of this type of interference include signal suppression (due to high amounts of easily ionized elements, such as sodium, in the samples), drift and signal variability from sample to sample caused by, for example, changes in nebulization efficiency as a result of viscosity differences between samples. These interferences can cause reported results to be either too high or too low if they are not properly corrected for.
</li>
<li>The last, and most challenging, type of interference is spectral interference. For ICP-OES, these are observed as either direct or partial emission wavelength overlaps on the signals of target analytes from other elements or molecular species in the sample. For ICP-MS, spectral interferences from other elements in the sample appear as either direct (from singly charged ions) or half-mass (from doubly charged ions) overlaps on the target ion isotope signals. With ICP-OES, spectral interferences, like physical interferences, can cause falsely high or falsely low results. With ICP-MS, the overlaps caused by interfering signals generate false positive signals, but if incorrect mathematical corrections are applied to the data, falsely low results can also be reported.
</li>
</ul>
Key learning objectives
<ul>
<li>Understand what types of interferences exist in ICP-OES and ICP-MS and how they affect your results.
</li>
<li>Learn strategies for identifying and managing these interferences.
</li>
<li>Find out how innovations in hardware help reduce interferences, improve accuracy, and remove the need to re-run samples.
</li>
<li>Discover how intelligent software tools enable easier, interference-free method development.
</li>
</ul>
Part 1
<blockquote>
Presenter: Matthew Cassap (Product Marketing Manager (AAS and ICP-OES) Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr. Sukanya Sengupta (Application Specialist Trace Elemental Analysis Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
Part 2
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr. Daniel Kutscher (Product Marketing Specialist Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr. Simon Nelms (Product Marketing Manager Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>

Thermo Scientific: ICP-OES and ICP-MS Interferences explained

ICP-OES and ICP-MS Interferences explained

The sources of interferences in ICP-OES and ICP-MS and how to identify them.

Cleaning of vessels and vials used for sample preparation is a serious bottleneck in the workflow of elemental analysis. It impacts operator time, efficiency and throughput.At the same time, cleaning is such an important process that affects the analysis quality as it contributes to minimize contamination, reduce the blank levels and avoid overestimation.Join us for this live interactive webinar and see the viable options to reduce or even eliminate the cleaning step in trace metals analysis. This event will provide an overview with pros and cons of the different possibilities, such as acid soaking, microwave cleaning, automated cleaning system and the use of disposable glass tubes .<h4>What you will learn:</h4><ul><li>Cleaning procedures of digestion vials, vessels, caps and ICP components.</li><li>Efficient cleaning methods to improve the trace metals analysis workflow</li><li>Impact of the cleaning process on the lab productivity</li></ul><blockquote>Speaker: Mirco Rossetti (Product Manager at Milestone)</blockquote>

Milestone: Overcome cleaning bottlenecks in sample preparation for elemental analysis

Overcome cleaning bottlenecks in sample preparation for elemental analysis

Join us for this live interactive webinar and see the viable options to reduce or even eliminate the cleaning step in trace metals analysis. 

Cleaning bottlenecks in sample preparation

Many laboratories face complex challenges when dealing with mercury analysis. What is the most reliable and effective technique that offers compelling cost benefits for your lab? The choice is among staying with traditional dedicated mercury techniques such as CV-AAS/AFS or perhaps move some of the samples over to the ICP mass spectrometer (ICP-MS), or investing in the direct mercury analyzer that is able to eliminate any sample pre-treatment and dissolution.This webinar offers a closer look at the comparison in running costs between Direct Mercury Analysis technique and CV-AAS/AFS, and also how it stacks up against ICP-MS, to understand which investment can be the best one for your laboratory. We will make a practical cost comparison using similar sample types that require some type of sample pretreatment or preparation (e.g., solids or liquids that require digestion).<h4>What you will learn:</h4><ul><li>Breakdown of the mercury analysis costs</li><li>Costs comparison and productivity for different techniques</li><li>Cost comparison for mercury determination with ICP-MS</li><li>Practical guidance to lower analysis costs</li></ul><blockquote>Speaker: Roberto Boschini (Product Manager at Milestone)</blockquote>

Milestone: The cost benefits of direct mercury analysis: Do you know the bottom line

The cost benefits of direct mercury analysis: Do you know the bottom line?

Webinar offers closer look at comparison in running costs between Direct Mercury Analysis technique and CV-AAS/AFS, and also how it stacks up against ICP-MS

The cost benefits of direct mercury analysis

Mercury has been banned in cosmetics by regulatory agencies, but it persists in some formulations of cosmetic products. Despite the serious health risks associated with its use, mercury is still an attractive ingredient of cosmetic products claiming to lighten skin and remove blemishes. Fraudulent creams and cosmetic products take advantage of mercury's cost-effectiveness and ability to extend shelf life. Because of these properties, mercury in its toxic form, methylmercury, can also be added later to products that have already been manufactured.<h4>The Need for Regulation and Analytical Methods</h4>The identification of such substance is central to the various regulatory frameworks. ISO has addressed this issue by introducing ISO 23674:2022, which emphasizes the use of direct mercury analysis and the ISO 23821:2022 which involves sample preparation and CV-AAS.Together with our guest speaker Dr. Maximilian Orlandi, Chemistry Lab Manager at Complife Group who has deep knowledge of the analysis of cosmetics and the ISO procedures and Iacopo Avolio, Product Specialists at Milestone, we will review the benefits of these methods.This webinar aims to highlight procedure of quantification of mercury traces in cosmetic products that consumers can be exposed to in their usage. These methods describe the determination of mercury traces in cosmetics by using direct solid analysis with no need of digestion or by CV-AAS that requires acid digestion.<blockquote>Speaker: Iacopo Avolio (Product Specialists at Milestone)Speaker: Maximilian Orlandi (Chemistry Lab Manager at Complife Group)</blockquote>

Milestone: Mercury Analysis in Cosmetics: A deep dive into the latest ISO analytical methods for trace metal determination

Mercury Analysis in Cosmetics: A deep dive into the latest ISO analytical methods for trace metal determination

Webinar aims to highlight procedure of quantification of mercury traces in cosmetic products that consumers can be exposed to in their usage.

Mercury Analysis in Cosmetics

<h4>Sustainability is no longer optional—it’s a responsibility.</h4>In the world of heavy metals analysis, applying green chemistry principles can be a real challenge, especially with traditional methods that rely heavily on concentrated acids and complex sample preparation.But mercury analysis is different. It offers a unique opportunity to adopt a greener, more sustainable approach without compromising performance.Join Milestone for this exclusive webinar and discover how Direct Mercury Analysis with the DMA-80 evo can help you reduce your environmental impact—no sample prep, minimal reagent use, and virtually no waste.<h5>In this session, we’ll cover how to:</h5><ul><li>Combine sustainability with affordability in mercury analysis</li><li>Eliminate sample preparation time and chemical reagents</li><li>Significantly reduce hazardous chemical use and exposure—for both analysis and calibration</li><li>Maintain accuracy and precision across a wide range of sample types</li></ul>Whether you work in environmental testing or industrial labs, discover how Milestone can help you make your greener path in mercury analysis.<blockquote>Speaker: Mirco Rossetti (Application Specialist at Milestone)</blockquote>

Milestone: Making Mercury Analysis More Sustainable: make your greener path

Making Mercury Analysis More Sustainable: make your greener path

Join Milestone for this exclusive webinar and discover how Direct Mercury Analysis with the DMA-80 evo can help you reduce your environmental impact.