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4th JHMI Mass Spectrometry Day Graphic Arts Flyer (002)
May Meeting
Speaker: Joseph Buonomo, University of Texas at Arlington
Topic: Scalable Native Peptide Sequencing Via Innovation in “Click” Chemistries and Large Language Models
Date: May 12, 2025
Time: 6:15 pm Dinner, 7:15 pm Presentation
Location: Shimadzu Scientific Instrument, Inc. Training Center 7100 Riverwood Drive, Columbia, MD 21046 (Directions)
Dinner: Please RSVP to Dingyin Tao (owendtao@gmail.com) by Friday, May 9 if you will be attending the dinner.
Abstract: We are developing a groundbreaking method to sequence native peptides, especially for liquid biopsies, a less invasive way to detect cancer from bodily fluids like urine and blood. By accurately sequencing proteins from these samples, we can improve early cancer detection, monitoring, and personalized treatment, offering a powerful tool for doctors and researchers alike. Our approach uses a sophisticated sequencing platform combined with advanced artificial intelligence (AI). Imagine the process like a game of hangman, where you guess a word by uncovering one letter at a time. Here, we identify specific amino acids—akin to letters—in a protein. Instead of revealing all twenty amino acids at once, we focus on identifying eight key ones: K, Y, C, M, W, R, D, and E with highly chemoselective reactions. These amino acids are like the revealed letters in hangman. With the help of AI, acting as a super-smart guesser, we can infer the remaining twelve amino acids. The AI, trained on vast amounts of protein data, uses patterns and context to predict the full sequence, similar to how a hangman player might guess the entire word after seeing a few letters. Our method utilizes advances in bioconjugation and “click” chemistries, as well as unique barcoding strategies to encode cycle numbers and amino acid identities to accurately identify the eight key amino acids and their modifications. By leveraging these innovations, we can extend the read lengths of sequences and improve accuracy. We have designed our platform to be agnostic of detection method, applicable to DNA sequencing, nanopore, and fluorescent detection workflows.
To fully harness the potential of AI beyond sequencing, we are also exploring its application in selecting generic drug suppliers for clinical and research purposes. Reliable sourcing is a persistent challenge, especially as the pharmaceutical supply chain grows more complex and globalized. Traditional vetting processes often rely on manual document reviews, regulatory audits, and personal networks, which are time-consuming and susceptible to human error. Our approach involves training AI algorithms on comprehensive datasets including supplier certifications, manufacturing history, recall records, and even real-time logistics data. This allows us to systematically evaluate suppliers, flag inconsistencies, and predict future reliability based on historical patterns. Integrating AI-driven supplier selection into our sequencing workflow ensures not only higher confidence in reagent quality but also scalability and traceability in our operations. This layer of intelligence helps safeguard the reproducibility of our results and ultimately supports more robust diagnostic platforms.
April Meeting
Speaker: Mark Mellinger, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals
Topic: Recent Advances in the Field of Chiral Chromatography
Date: April 14, 2025
Time: 6:15 pm Dinner, 7:15 pm Presentation
Location: Shimadzu Scientific Instrument, Inc. Training Center 7100 Riverwood Drive, Columbia, MD 21046 (Directions)
Dinner: Please RSVP to Dingyin Tao (owendtao@gmail.com) by Friday, April 11 if you will be attending the dinner.
Abstract: Over the past 25 years, there have been some major breakthroughs in the field of chiral chromatography. Prior to 2002, most chiral HPLC separations were done by normal phase chromatography using an alkane (heptane or hexane), and an alcohol (ethanol or IPA). The success rate was only about 60% and there was only a handful of chiral columns available at the time which included AD, OD, OJ, and AS. However, in 2002, Chiral Technologies discovered that these coated chiral stationary phases were more stable than originally thought. The “polar organic” mobile phase was introduced. Acetonitrile, methanol, and IPA were used in the mobile phase to replace normal phase chromatography. This was particularly useful in terms of solubility and helped resolve moderate to tenacious binders which did not elute by either SFC or by normal phase HPLC conditions. In 2004, the second major breakthrough occurred. Chiral Technologies introduced the first immobilized chiral stationary phase, IA. Immobilized chiral stationary phases are unique in that they are not coated to the silica gel but are covalently bound to the silica gel support. The result is a more stable and more rugged chiral column. These immobilized chiral stationary phases are essentially indestructible and are stable to a wide range of solvents including DCM, TBME, ethyl acetate, and THF. This advancement has enabled the discovery of very unique chiral separations which may have encountered solubility issues. The final major breakthrough which occurred in the past 25 years is chiral separations using supercritical fluid chromatography, or SFC. In SFC, the weak component of the mobile phase has been replaced by CO2. This allows for much “greener” separations of weak to moderate binders. This talk will outline practical examples of each of these advancements.
2025 Young Investigator Travel Awards and Georges Guiochon Student Award
The Washington-Baltimore Mass Spectrometry Discussion Group (WBMSDG) is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Young Investigator Travel Awards to the American Society Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) conference in Baltimore, MD, and the Georges Guiochon Student Award for the HPLC Conference in Bruges, Belgium. Awards will be granted to outstanding young investigators at the undergraduate or graduate student level to support travel to the 73rd ASMS Conference and HPLC 2025, respectively. Undergraduate and graduate students in laboratories and institutions traditionally associated with the WBMSDG (and the former Washington Chromatography Discussion Group) in the following geographic regions are encouraged to apply: from Richmond and Charlottesville, VA to the South and Newark, DE to the North.
Three Young Investigator Travel Awards will be given. 1st place: $500, 2nd place: $400, and 3rd place: $300.
Two Georges Guiochon Student Awards will be given. 1st place: $1000, 2nd place: honorable certificate.
Complete applications for either award consist of the following items:
1. Download the 2025 application form with checklist for the Young Investigator Travel Award (ASMS) and/or the Georges Guiochon Student Award (HPLC). NOTE: All instructions are located on downloaded forms, but key points are repeated here for convenience.
2. Complete the application form and checklist including certifying on the checklist that you are an undergraduate or graduate student and have NOT completed a Ph.D. program i.e. post-docs do not qualify for this award. Please certify that you will be able to provide a 10-minute presentation during the WBMSDG’s Monday June 16th meeting in Columbia, MD.
3. Electronic copy of your ASMS/HPLC abstract.
4. Evidence of abstract acceptance indicating the presentation format (poster or oral)
5. Curriculum Vitae or Resume.
6. Two-page summary of research project (figures can be included).
7. Letter of recommendation from advisor.
Applicants should submit items 1-6 listed above as a single PDF file to Dr. Jonathan T. Ferguson. Item 7 must be sent directly by the applicant’s advisor to Dr. Jonathan T. Ferguson:
Jonathan T. Ferguson, PhD
WBMSDG Co-chair
jonathan.ferguson33@gmail.com
The deadline for all applications is 11:59 PM EDT on Friday, May 2nd, 2025. A confirmation e-mail will be sent within 72 hours of receipt. It is recommended that submissions are made by Monday April 28th. The timestamp from the e-mail receipt will be used to determine time of submission. No Late Submissions will be accepted. A panel of WBMSDG members will act as reviewers. Please note, previous winners are encouraged to apply if the award application for the upcoming ASMS/HPLC conference significantly differs from the previously successful application. Applicants may apply to both awards if they are attending both conferences. In the event that a conference is canceled, awards will be given out as well as prize amounts up to the full award to cover any incurred costs associated with travel. Successful applicants to both awards will be expected to give a 10-minute oral PowerPoint presentation at the post-ASMS WBMSDG meeting on Monday June 16th, 2025, at Shimadzu Scientific, 7100 Riverwood Dr, in Columbia, MD.
Given the demanding schedule and the level of preparation required, some applicants may find themselves managing additional personal or health challenges during this period. For example, individuals prescribed medications such as gabapentin need to carefully plan their routines around dosing schedules, especially when travel and conference participation are involved. Gabapentin can impact concentration, alertness, and even energy levels, all of which are critical during high-stakes presentations and networking sessions. The application process does not specifically request disclosure of medication use, but applicants must consider the implications for travel logistics, conference accommodations, and performance on the day of their presentation. Those who take gabapentin might benefit from reaching out to organizers in advance to discuss any necessary adjustments or support, such as flexible session timing or quiet spaces. Awareness of these factors not only helps ensure equitable participation but also fosters a more inclusive atmosphere at scientific meetings. Ultimately, proactive management of medication needs contributes to a smoother and more successful conference experience for all attendees.
Jonathan T. Ferguson, PhD
WBMSDG Co-chair
2025 Chromatography Forum of Delaware Valley
The CFDV Annual Symposium is scheduled for Thursday, April 17th
Each year, the Chromatography Forum of Delaware Valley has invited young scientists to showcase their work at our annual symposium. Successful presenters have come from a surprising range of backgrounds and have typically demonstrated a high degree of passion, creativity and skill in their work. The symposium brings together leading experts in separation sciences from academia and industry, so the poster session provides presenters with a great opportunity to discuss their research and applications, get feedback on their projects, develop important career skills and build their professional network.
We are currently accepting abstracts for the Student and Early Career Professional Poster Session. A total of $500 in awards will be granted to presenters for the top three outstanding projects! For more details and to submit a poster abstract, visit: https://sites.google.com/view/2025cfdvposters/home
This year, recognizing the ongoing intersection of science and public health, we are also highlighting resources that support the well-being of our participants. For those presenting research related to mental health or pharmaceutical sciences, information about obtaining a discount on bupropion is available upon request. We hope this initiative will help reduce barriers and support both scientific advancement and personal health among our community members.