Panel discussion: Exploring microsampling

Microsampling has gained increasing attention within the bioanalytical community in recent years. As newer, more sensitive bioanalytical instruments and novel microsampling technologies continue to develop, facilitating the application of microsampling in simpler workflows is now easier than ever before.

Recently, Bioanalysis Zone released a special digital supplement exploring microsampling as part of our feature on microsampling. In this supplement we bring you the latest developments and leading opinions from some of the key experts within the field. We also explore how attitudes have changed over the past 2 years since our last survey 2 years ago in our recent survey, and explore the various applications of microsampling with contributions from leading experts in academia, pharma and CROs.

We’d like to take the conversation further in this panel discussion. Join us for a lively panel discussion with leading experts in the field to further discuss what the progress of microsampling over the years has meant for the community, address remaining challenges still being faced and how to overcome these. During this discussion we will also look at the various applications of microsampling and where the field is heading towards. Finally, this is the perfect opportunity to put forward questions you have to our panel of experts.

What will you learn?

• Recent developments in microsampling
• Challenges being faced in the field and how to overcome these
• The future of microsampling: the power of the single drop

Who may this interest?

• CROs and pharmaceuticals, academics, health care professionals, and/or regulatory organizations
• Current & potential future users of microsampling
• Those with an interest in pre-clinical and/or clinical utilization of microsampling

Panelists

Host: Neil Spooner
Director and Founder at Spooner Bioanalytical Solutions

Neil Spooner (Ph.D., C.Chem., M.R.S.C.) is the Founder and Director of Spooner Bioanalytical Solutions, a consultancy based in Hertford, UK.  Neil is also a Senior Visiting Research Fellow at the School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire (Hertfordshire, UK) and the Deputy-Chair and Secretary of the Reid Bioanalytical Forum. He has published extensively, with over 50 peer reviewed manuscripts and more than 30 podium presentations at international Conferences and Symposia. Neil has extensive experience in the quantitative bioanalysis of drugs, metabolites and biomarkers in the pharmaceutical industry and contract research organisations in the UK and USA.  In over 20 years of industrial practice at GlaxoSmithKline, he has led groups operating in the discovery and regulated arenas of clinical and pre-clinical quantitative bioanalysis and metabolite identification.  Neil has extensive experience of successfully leading inter departmental and cross functional initiatives, including implementation of new technologies and workflows (such as microsampling), outsourcing quantitative bioanalysis, development and implementation of automation approaches and design of new scientific facilities.

Tim Sangster
Head, Bioanalysis and Immunology
Charles River Laboratories

Tim Sangster is a well travelled bioanalytical chemist, having worked in Scotland, Italy, England, America and finally back to Scotland to head up the Bioanalysis and Immunology Department for Charles River, Edinburgh, 6 years ago. During his travels he has gained experience in both CROs and Pharma supporting drug development from a bioanalytical perspective from discovery through to market. Currently Tim’s main scientific focus is in the use of microsampling to reduce and refine toxicology study designs as well as applying it to other application areas, and also the use of LC–MS in the analysis of macromolecules.

Roger Hayes
Senior Vice President, DMPK
MPI Research

Roger Hayes, PhD, is Senior Vice President, DMPK, at MPI Research (Mattawan, MI, US). Dr Hayes has held numerous leadership positions in the global life sciences industry and academia, leading teams in the development of state-of-the-art bioanalytical and analytical techniques, including mass spectrometry, chromatography, and automation in bringing medical and chemical products to market. For nearly two decades, he has led strategic and research initiatives for large pharmaceutical companies that included both GLP and non-GLP preclinical studies as well as clinical trials. Most recently, he served as President of Bioanalytical Operations, at Cetero Research (ND, US) where he focused on establishing overall corporate direction for bioanalytical and analytical services. Dr Hayes has published extensively and has taught numerous aspects of LC/MS method development. He is an active member of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry and the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists.

Craig Aurand
Innovation Manager
Sigma-Aldrich/MilliporeSigma

Craig Aurand is the Innovation Manager for the Advanced Analytical division of MilliporeSigma.  Craig’s primary role is identification and development of innovative analytical techniques for life science applications.  He is responsible for the development of innovative chromatographic and sample preparation devices for life science applications, and has published numerous presentations and publications focusing on novel chromatographic separations and sample preparation techniques.  Craig has more than 15 years experience in product and application development with emphasis in liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry techniques.  His most recent research has focused on the field of microsampling techniques in bioanalysis.

James Rudge
Global Microsampling Specialist
Neoteryx

James Rudge has served as the Global Microsampling Specialist since January of 2015. Prior to joining Neoteryx, Dr Rudge worked for Phenomenex for 14 years and is a coinventor of the Mitra Microsampling Device and the Volumetric Absorptive Matrix Sampling (VAMS) technology. During his 14 years at Phenomenex, Dr Rudge held a number of roles including Key Account Manager, Field Service Specialist and latterly European Business Development manager for Clinical. These roles allowed him to collaborate with customers on a wide range of projects regularly working in customer laboratories (globally) developing novel sample preparation and LC / LC–MS methods. Dr Rudge graduated from the University Wales, Swansea with a BSc. (Hons) IIi in Biochemistry and a PhD in Organic Chemistry where he worked on novel chemiluminescent probes for immunoassays.

Don’t forget you can also always revisit our Spotlight on microsampling – Microsampling the road ahead, hosted on the Zone a few years ago here. For a full list of other webinars available on Bioanalysis Zone please see here.