Development of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Reference Materials for Current and Future PFAS Analysis

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are contaminants of immediate concern and have been observed in consumer products, consumer byproducts (e.g., dust, wastewater, and landfill leachate), and environmental compartments including humans and biota. As a result, routine monitoring, method development, and commercial analysis of these compounds have become increasingly important. Current commercial methods target a suite of ionic, semi-volatile PFAS to meet the requirements of rapidly evolving regulations at the state and federal levels. To address challenges in PFAS quantitation, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has worked diligently to meet the needs of the analytical community by adding PFAS reference values to existing reference materials and by creating new materials for emerging PFAS measurements. This presentation will describe the development of PFAS reference materials at NIST and will explore current and future projects for PFAS detection and quantitation. 

By attending this webinar, you'll gain valuable insights into the latest advancements in PFAS monitoring and analysis, directly from a NIST expert at the forefront of this critical work. This is a unique opportunity to not only learn about the development of PFAS reference materials but also to understand the broader implications of these efforts on regulatory compliance and environmental safety. The interactive Q&A session will allow you to ask specific questions relevant to your work, explore how these developments can be applied in your own lab or research projects, and stay ahead in the rapidly evolving field of PFAS analysis.

Presenter: Alix Rodowa, PhD
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
11:00am-12:00 pm EST

From Lab to Table: Advancing Global Food Sustainability with Molecular Devices

This webinar will explore the revolutionary role of synthetic biology in addressing global sustainability challenges, with a particular focus on cultured meat production. Participants will gain insights into how Molecular Devices' Clone Screening instruments – QPix, ClonePix, CloneSelect Imager, and DispenCell Single-Cell Dispenser – are pivotal in advancing research and development in this field. The webinar will cover the latest trends, technological advancements, and the potential impact of cultured meat on global food security.

Presenter: Dwayne Carter, PhD
Molecular Devices
12:30pm-1:30 pm EST

Application of Spatial Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS) and DNA Barcoding for Ensuring Food Authenticity: The Case of Honey
Food fraud is a major concern worldwide as it can pose significant health risks and undermine consumer trust. Honey is a product at increased risk of adulteration mainly through the addition of exogenous sugars in the form of sugar syrups. Current authentication methods are faced with challenges due to the large variation in natural honey composition, or incapability to confirm the type of adulterant. Robust authentication and traceability systems are therefore required to prevent fraudulent practices. 

One such approach is DNA barcoding technology which uses a short domain of DNA to achieve species identification and could be applied to detect plant-based sugars used as honey adulterants. 

Another promising technology is Spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS), a rapid, through container method able to provide qualitative and quantitative information for complex food matrices. 

Here we present our recently published research for the development of a novel methodology for honey authentication employing SORS and machine learning methods for the fast, accurate, and cost-effective detection of sugar syrup adulteration in honey as well as a new DNA barcoding method incorporating specific DNA markers for honey authentication. 

Our results demonstrated the potential of SORS and DNA barcoding methods to authenticate UK honey samples, with the future possibility of extending to other food types.

Presenter: Dr. Maria Anastasiadi
Cranfield University
2:00-3:00 pm EST

Interested in speaking at this event? 

Reach out to MaryBeth DiDonna at mdidonna@labx.com with your proposal.