The utilization of Two-Dimensional Liquid Chromatography (2D-LC) has undergone substantial development in recent years, emerging as a crucial tool in both industrial and academic settings. This advanced separation technology has proven instrumental in the analysis of compounds within a variety of sectors, including pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, chemicals, and food products.
In my role as Principal Scientist in Research and Development at Agilent Technologies, I have been deeply engaged in the progression of 2D-LC solutions over the past decade. My primary focus has been to oversee a global initiative comprising a team of engineers and scientists, dedicated to pioneering innovative separation workflows through 2D-LC technology.
Liquid chromatography (LC) serves as a fundamental method for compound mixtures separation, finding broad applications across diverse industries. Nonetheless, there are scenarios where conventional LC falls short in effectively separating complex or similar components within samples. It is in these circumstances that 2D-LC proves invaluable, adding an additional dimension of separation power to enhance resolution.
The operational modes of 2D-LC encompass the Heart Cutting (HC) technique, utilized to target specific compounds for analysis, particularly within pharmaceutical and biologic applications. Furthermore, Comprehensive 2D-LC is employed to conduct exhaustive analysis of all compounds eluting from the 1D column, especially in challenging applications such as omics-type studies, natural product analysis, and polymer analysis.
Despite its origins as an academic tool, 2D-LC has now gained widespread adoption within industrial settings. The majority of 2D-LC systems are being embraced by users in pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, chemicals, applied, and food markets. The incorporation of mass spectrometry (MS) as the 2D-detector has further broadened the capabilities and applications of 2D-LC within industrial contexts.
The evolution of 2D-LC has been accompanied by substantial technological advancements, improving its usability and robustness. The technology has matured over time, becoming more accessible, resulting in increased adoption and an ongoing exchange of ideas and experiences within the scientific community.
The strategic partnership between industry and academia has played a pivotal role in driving research innovations in 2D-LC technology. Academic research has laid the foundation for the development of commercially viable 2D-LC systems, through the pioneering work of leading researchers. This has facilitated the availability of innovative commercial 2D-LC systems, marking a significant breakthrough for the acceptance of 2D-LC in industry.
To attain optimal performance of a 2D-LC system, it is imperative to have a setup that offers flexibility and efficiency. From a practical standpoint, the inclusion of hardware that allows for multiple operational modes and facilitates the optimization of the duty cycle can significantly enhance the analytical capabilities of 2D-LC.
The recent advancements and widespread uptake of 2D-LC technology have paved the way for real-world applications and collaborations between industry and academia. These collaborative efforts have led to the development of software features that bolster the robustness of 2D-LC methods, particularly in the analysis of large molecules, further advancing the capabilities of 2D-LC technology.
In conclusion, the continuous progress and innovations in the realm of 2D-LC underscore its growing significance in the analytical sciences. The amalgamation of multidimensional technology, collaborative research endeavors, and ongoing developments in 2D-LC technology sets the stage for further advancements in analytical techniques and applications.
Dr. Stephan Buckenmaier, Principal Scientist in Research and Development, Agilent Technologies
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