The HPLC symposium started more than 40 years ago with the original purpose of bringing the early innovators and thought leaders in separation science together to advance the understanding and capabilities of LC. Today, HPLC – the International Symposium on High Performance Liquid Phase Separations and Related Techniques – is the largest global, multidisciplinary gathering of separation scientists. This exciting event will be held May 11-15, 2014 in New Orleans, USA. Attendees include the fundamental separations scientists, those who utilize liquid phase separations to solve contemporary problems in industry and academic research, and technology developers and suppliers.
Utilizing microtechnology
The HPLC 2014 program will include a focus on specific themes in addition to the traditional topics presented within this symposium series. One specific topic that will be emphasized in the 2014 program is microtechnology approaches for implementing liquid phase separations. Commercial versions of ‘microchip’ modules for LC and capillary electrophoresis (CE) have been available for several years. These modular approaches to implementing liquid phase separations can also integrate sample processing functions to provide more integrated measurement solutions. Such approaches provide for ease of use conveniences and the potential for plug-and-play strategies with custom modules, including specific functionalities that can ‘snap’ into common platforms. Compact integrated implementations of LC and CE also open up the possibility of fit-for-purpose dedicated instruments for applications such as process monitoring.
Expanding applications
There will also be presentations and discussions about the trade-offs between LC and CE. While CE can rapidly provide impressive separative performance with compact and relatively simple instrumentation, it is not widely utilized outside of biopolymer analysis, even though it has applicability across a broad range of chemical entities. Experts in separation science will discuss the reasons for the current relatively narrow use of CE compared to LC, and opportunities for expansion of CE applications.
Additional focus topics include the important areas of metabolomics and clinical analysis. These application areas depend heavily on liquid phase analysis systems, coupled to mass spectrometry tools. The 2014 program will include a number of leaders from the field of mass spectrometry, whose experimental efforts require the utilization of liquid phase separations to achieve success.
Many other topics will be covered in the HPLC 2014 program, including column design, multidimensional separation strategies, and separations theory. The exhibition will also feature the latest commercial instrumentation, software and tools related to liquid phase separations, and will see the launch of new products.
