In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, we sit down with Kelly Broster McMahon to explore the analytical science behind one of the most important pharmaceutical trends today: GLP-1 therapeutics.Drugs like Semaglutide have transformed the treatment of diabetes and obesity—but ensuring their safety, efficacy, and quality requires cutting-edge analytical workflows.In this conversation, we break down how chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-MS) work together to characterize complex peptide therapeutics, detect trace-level impurities, and support drug development from early research through regulated manufacturing.🔬 What You’ll Learn* Why GLP-1 drugs are uniquely challenging to analyze* How LC-MS enables detailed peptide characterization* The importance of detecting low-level impurities for patient safety* How analytical workflows scale from R&D to manufacturing* The role of software and data platforms in modern labs* Where chromatography and mass spectrometry are heading next 🧠 Key TakeawaysGLP-1 therapeutics are a “proof point” for the future of analytical chemistry—where success depends not on measuring more, but on measuring the right things earlier, with confidence.As molecules become more complex, integrated workflows combining chromatography, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and advanced informatics are becoming essential to ensure data integrity, regulatory compliance, and ultimately, patient safety. 🎙 About the GuestKelly Broster McMahon is a Senior Manager of Market Development and Collaborations at Thermo Fisher Scientific, with over 15 years of experience in LC-MS and protein mass spectrometry. Her work focuses on translating complex analytical challenges into scalable, compliant workflows for the biopharmaceutical industry.🔗 About the Podcast @ChromatographyTalk on Chromatography explores the science and workflows behind separation science, mass spectrometry, and analytical chemistry.GLP-1 drugs, semaglutide analysis, LC-MS, mass spectrometry, chromatography, peptide therapeutics, impurity analysis, biopharma analytics, Orbitrap, UHPLC, analytical chemistry podcast

Can mass spectrometry work without chromatography?In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, host David Oliva speaks with Jeff Zonderman of Bruker about how Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART) mass spectrometry is enabling rapid sample analysis with little or no chromatography.Traditional LC-MS workflows rely on chromatography, solvent-intensive sample preparation, and complex instrumentation. DART offers a different approach—allowing laboratories to analyze samples directly, reducing solvent use, hazardous waste, and overall cost of ownership. As Jeff explains in this conversation, the technology is gaining traction in drug testing, forensic analysis, clinical diagnostics, and high-throughput screening environments.David and Jeff discuss how DART works, where it fits within modern analytical workflows, and why many laboratories are exploring chromatography-free mass spectrometry to simplify operations and improve speed.Topics covered in this episode• What DART mass spectrometry is and how it works• When laboratories can eliminate chromatography from workflows• Reducing solvent consumption and hazardous waste• Applications in drug testing and forensic analysis• Opportunities for clinical diagnostics and high-throughput screening• The future of chromatography-free mass spectrometryAbout the PodcastConcentrating on Chromatography is an analytical chemistry podcast featuring conversations with scientists and industry leaders working at the forefront of chromatography, mass spectrometry, and laboratory technology.Hosted by David Oliva, the series explores the real-world workflows, innovations, and challenges shaping modern analytical laboratories.KeywordsDART mass spectrometrymass spectrometry without chromatographyLC-MS alternativeanalytical chemistry podcastdrug testing mass spectrometryforensic mass spectrometryBruker mass spectrometry#MassSpectrometry#AnalyticalChemistry#Chromatography

What if Mars already had biosignatures… and destroyed them?In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, host David Oliva sits down with Megan Farrah from Tufts University to explore how GC-MS is being used to reconstruct potential biosignatures under simulated Martian conditions.Inside a Mars Simulation Chamber, Megan irradiates sterols and hopanes — two of NASA’s priority targets for life detection — in soil matrices containing oxychlorine salts similar to those detected by Mars missions.Her goal? Determine whether chlorinated hydrocarbons detected by rover-based pyrolysis GC-MS were:* Indigenous Martian organics* Terrestrial contamination* Or molecules altered by heat during analysisWe dive deep into:🔬 SIM mode vs. full scan when you don’t know what you’re looking for🧂 Why residual salts can destroy a GC column (and how ion chromatography prevents it)🔥 The dangers of heating organics in the presence of perchlorates🧪 Toluene/BHT extraction and preventing artificial oxidation🧼 GC-MS contamination: septa, liners, plasticizers, detergents, and why her entire bench is glass🚀 What Mars Sample Return would require from separation scientistsMegan explains why finding “organics” does not automatically mean finding life — and why Mars is far from geologically dead.We also explore how she explains Mars chemistry to fifth graders using paper chromatography… and why separation science still feels like magic.If you care about:* GC-MS method development* Column contamination control* Environmental salt matrices* Astrobiology* Or the future of life detectionThis is an episode you don’t want to miss.Topics Covered• Mars Simulation Chamber experiments• Sterols and hopanes as biosignatures• Oxidant-induced fragmentation• Derivatization with BSTFA• Ion chromatography salt cleanup• Pyrolysis GC-MS on Mars rovers• High-salt matrix challenges• Sensitivity vs column lifetime📌 Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of chromatography, mass spectrometry, and real-world analytical challenges.#GCMS #Chromatography #Astrobiology #Mars #MassSpectrometry #LifeDetection #AnalyticalChemistry