Science of Field-Flow Fractionation
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Featured Papers
May 2025, presented by Billy Smith:
“Featured this month is a succinct review of the application of AF4 and SEC in the characterization of polysaccharides. Analysis of plant derived biomacromolecules can be challenging due to the presence of multiple concurrent distributions in physicochemical properties like molecular weight and architecture. Both SEC and AF4 with multidetection have become essential analytical techniques for characterizing such properties as their accurate and precise determination is dependent upon the separation of subpopulations prior to detection. Pitkänen’s review provides an excellent starting point for method development of different plant derived polysaccharide species as well as highlighting the benefits and drawbacks of each technique, providing a critical appraisal and recommendations for when one technique may be preferential over the other.” Check it out here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2025.465663
March 2025, presented by Alina Astefani:
“This month’s featured paper highlights AF4 as a powerful tool for characterizing complex therapeutics. The authors discuss the need to integrate AF4 into drug development workflows for comprehensive physicochemical characterization, as it offers a more accurate native-state representation than traditional chromatographic methods. Despite its advantages, AF4 remains underutilized in the pharmaceutical industry due to regulatory inertia, lack of standardized protocols, and complex method development. Its role in quality control and final product validation is constrained, as regulatory agencies do not explicitly require its data. The authors emphasize that standardization, regulatory recognition, and industry-wide validation are key for AF4 to reach its full potential as a mainstream tool in quality control, formulation optimization, and mechanistic studies of next-generation therapeutics.” Check it out here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2025.465663
February 2025, presented by Claudia Zielke:
“Everybody is aware of the increasing importance of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) in medical applications. This study uses Asymmetric Flow Field Flow Fractionation (AF4) to compare two types of LNPs and their interactions with a model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA). LNP size, morphology, state of aggregation and PDI on BSA corona formation are examined with a subsequent analysis of the shape factors. This study presents another great use of the frit-inlet set-up.” Check it out here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2025.465663December 2024, presented by Claudia Zielke:
“Elution patterns, Brownian motion, membrane fouling… Things, every AF4 user has to deal with, especially when working with novel analytes. In this paper from Geneva (Switzerland), Gasco et al. demonstrate the suitability of AF4-multiple detection to probe-out eco-corona formation and characterize polydisperse systems containing silver nanoparticle (nAg) hetero-aggregates formed with diatoms derived extracellular polymeric substances (EPS).” Check it out here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2024.465507November 2024, presented by Susi Boye:
“Revolutionizing Wine Analysis with AF4-UHPLC: For the first time, AF4-UHPLC unveils the macromolecular secrets of white wines, combining size-based separation with high-resolution hydrophobicity analysis. This groundbreaking two-dimensional approach provides unparalleled insights into proteins and mannoproteins, preserving their native state. A must-read for analytical scientists and wine researchers seeking innovative tools for complex matrix characterization!” Check it out here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2024.465456October 2024, presented by Claudia Zielke:
“In this collaborative paper from France, Saydé et al. take on the challenge of reproducibility in 3D cancer models. The team used SdFFF to sort and extract low amounts of homogeneous cancer stem cell subpopulations from heterogeneous glioblastoma cell lines and managed to grow reproducible 3D tumor spheroids in low molecular weight gelators. Check out the full paper here.”June 2024, presented by Susi Boye:
“Do you like red wine and want to know more about the composition of different populations existent in wine? Read the latest research of Valentina Marrassi from Italy published in Food Research International. They applied Frit-Inlet AF4 in combination with MALS and UV detection in order to investigate different colloidal species. Check out the full paper here.”Jobs and Career Opportunities
“FFF channel is looking for a suitable pump to achieve optimum separation results”.
Have you finished your education, are you looking for a new challenge or do you need an FFF expert? The FFF job platform is the right place to go for FFF beginners or experienced professionals. This page is open for companies, universities and research institutes as a job or intern seeking platform. Job seekers can also present their profile anonymously here. For new posts, please contact: info@fffseparation.net