Washington Chromatography Discussion Group (WCDG) meets monthly from September to May. Meetings are currently being held virtually.
October Meeting
REGISTER
October 21, 2020
5:00-5:30PM Breakout Discussions
5:30-6:00PM Webinar
Challenges and Opportunities in Transitioning from Targeted to Untargeted Analysis in Small Molecule Mass Spectrometry
Nadja B. Cech, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Abstract: Mass spectrometrists and chromatographers have spent more than 100 years developing better tools and methods to separate and identify the compounds in mixtures. Historically, much of our field was focused on identifying and quantifying specific known constituents in those mixtures. More recently, there has been a shift in interest towards “untargeted” or “nontargeted” techniques, in which the analyst seeks to capture a more comprehensive profile of the molecules present in a mixture. This talk will address some of the challenges and opportunities our fields have encountered in transitioning from targeted to untargeted approaches, particularly focusing on small molecules (metabolomics). Specific case studies will be included from ongoing research in the Cech Laboratory, where we seek to employ untargeted metabolomics to identify antimicrobial constituents in complex extracts from plants and fungi.
Bio: Dr. Nadja B. Cech is Patricia A. Sullivan Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at UNC Greensboro. She applies her expertise in mass spectrometry to solve challenging problems in natural products research, largely supported with funding from the National Institutes of Health. Work in the Cech group focuses on the application of mass spectrometry metabolomics strategies to identify biologically active constituents from complex mixtures and to understand virulence in bacterial pathogens. Dr. Cech supervises a research group of eighteen students and postdoctoral research associates and is currently schooling and feeding two children during the pandemic. She is the recipient of the 2011 Jack L. Beal Award for Best Paper in the Journal of Natural Products by a Young Investigator, and the 2017 Thomas Norwood Award for Undergraduate Research Mentorship. Dr. Cech is a member of the research team for the NCCIH-funded Center of Excellence for Natural Product Drug Interaction, and Co-Director of the Medicinal Chemistry Collaborative.
New to analytical chemistry or looking to sharpen your skills? Visit NIST’s site for videos and PowerPoints on Tutorials in Analytical Chemistry