Tools

for separation sciences

Newsletter

Welcome to the website of the Chemometrics & Advanced Separations Team (CAST) of Bob Pirok, Andrea Gargano, and Tijmen Bos, with researchers from the University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam. The team comprises enthusiastic researchers from both universities who devote a bit of their time to developing guides and tools for use by the community. Here, you will be able to find useful, information, software and tools for use in mass spectrometry and (multi-dimensional) chromatography.

News and Updates
Publications

Novel sequencing approach enables detailed characterization of PLGA co-polymers

CAST Scientst Masashi Serizawas was published in Macromolecules. Masashi presents a ‘polymer sequencing’ approach for analyzing the composition of PLGA copolymers in great detail. The method consists of controlled chemical degradation followed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry (RPLC-HRMS) to arrive at an accurate characterisation of block-length distribution. The work provides a robust framework for the rational design of sequence-controlled PLGA for drug delivery and other advanced applications.

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2026-04-14
Publications

Microscale native SEC-HRMS to characterize immunoconjugates

In this study, CAST scientists Annika van der Zon et al., in collaboration with Bram Weijers and Danielle Vlugts (Amsterdam UMC), introduce a rapid, microscale aqueous size-exclusion chromatography–mass spectrometry (SEC-MS) method to measure chelator to antibody ratio in immunoconjugates.

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2026-02-13
Publications

Size-Resolved Surface Charge Analysis of Polymer Nanoparticles: From Fundamental Measurement to Collaborative Innovation

The study addresses size-resolved surface charge density (SCD) analysis of polymer nanoparticles (PNPs), revealing the significant variability of SCD that traditional methods overlook. By employing advanced capillary zone electrophoresis techniques, researchers can gain detailed insights into nanoparticle performance, benefiting applications in coatings, biomedical, and industrial contexts through collaborative innovations.

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2025-12-30

Software & Tools

You can download some of our developed software and tools here. The overview is not exhaustive. We have only recently begun with making our work accessible. Currently a manual only exists for the FILTER tool. More apps, manuals and information repositories will be added through September and October.

Project PARADISE

Visit the special page on the public-privately funded PARADISE project. The project aims to resolve pressing matters in industry and society using 2D-LC. The project is funded by a consortium of Covestro, DSM, Genentech, NFI, Shell and the Dutch Research Council (NWO).

Visit PARADISE

2D-LC

Method Database

We maintain a searchable database containing all 2D-LC methods published since the 1978 paper by Erni and Frei. The database, which contains over 550 methods, is part of a collaboration between the University of Amsterdam (Pirok) and Gustavus Adolphus College (Stoll).

Browse Database

More News & Updates

2D-LC Database