 |  | Innovations in Speciation Analysis Using HPLC with ICP-MS Detection
| | Spectroscopy - April 1, 2008 | Speciation analysis has grown rapidly and has expanded to a variety of markets, including environmental, clinical, food, nutraceutical, and bioanalytical. This growth has resulted from the realization that knowing the total amount of an element does not always provide adequate information for assessing health and environmental effects, but knowing which form of the element is present presents a much more comprehensive picture. |
|  |  | Understanding the Implications of the 2008 GMP Update and Why the Laboratory Is Not Included
| | Spectroscopy - April 1, 2008 | | U.S. Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) regulations (21 CFR 211) have existed unchanged since 1978 (1), although in 1996 a draft amendment was issued but was never implemented (2). However, on December 4, 2007, the FDA issued a Direct Final Rule for 21 CFR 211 that will make changes to GMP for finished pharmaceuticals (3) effective in April 2008 as well as withdrawing the draft 1996 amendment (4). This is the first phase in changes that will be made by the FDA to update and harmonize the GMP regulations over the next few years. In this "Focus on Quality" column, we will look at the overall GMP changes and then ask the following question: Why has the laboratory not been included in the proposed changes? |
|  |  |  | Raman Applications That Are Driving a Rapidly Expanding Market
| | Spectroscopy - March 1, 2008 | | Chemical analysts who use spectroscopy to extract molecular information from samples have been following the developments in Raman instrumentation. Vibrational spectroscopy provides detailed molecular information, but Fourier-transform IR has been much easier to use than Raman. Now that Raman equipment is smaller, cheaper, faster, and easier, analysts are interested. Columnist Fran Adar will discuss why. |
|  | Spectroscopy: A Technology for All Seasons
| | Spectroscopy - March 1, 2008 | | Spectroscopy techniques are an important facet of the laboratory analytical and life science instrument industry, which continues to expand as its analytical requirements migrate across industries and geographic regions. Overall industry growth has been in the 6-8% range for the last few years, which is a sign of both its maturity and its stability. The demands of the life science marketplace, environmental concerns, and the search for new materials are important driving forces. Likewise, the shifting market focus from North America and Europe to Asia is changing the face of the industry. It is expected that 2008 will be a good year for the industry despite the likely economic slowdown in North America and Europe. |
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