A Glimpse into the Future of Scientific Discovery
Imagine a room buzzing with thousands of scientists, a place where the very tools that unravel the molecular secrets of our world are unveiled for the first time. This was the scene at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans from March 8–12, 2015, when Pittcon welcomed the global scientific community.
Exhibitors
of Innovation
Scientific Community
With the theme "Be in Your Element," the conference was a testament to the fundamental role of analytical chemistry and spectroscopy in driving innovation across fields from medicine to environmental science 1 . That year, over 900 exhibitors gathered to display their latest advancements, creating a massive marketplace of ideas and technology 1 . This article revisits that pivotal event, exploring how the spectroscopic tools launched there continue to shape our scientific capabilities, making the invisible world of atoms and molecules not just visible, but comprehensively understood.
Spectroscopy, in its many forms, is the art and science of measuring the interaction between light and matter. At Pittcon 2015, several key techniques stood out for their growing versatility and application.
The workhorse of the lab for concentration determination and quality control.
Powerful identification through molecular vibrations and structural analysis.
Unveiling mass and structure with incredible sensitivity and specificity.
| Technique | Basic Principle | Key Applications | Notable Advancements in 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|
| UV-Vis Spectroscopy | Measures absorption of UV/visible light | Concentration determination, nucleic acid purity checks, quality control 2 | Growth of dedicated analyzers; improved detector sensitivity 8 |
| FT-IR Spectroscopy | Measures absorption of infrared light to study molecular vibrations | Pharmaceutical analysis, clinical diagnostics, material characterization 3 6 | Portable devices; advanced ATR accessories; integration with chemometrics 6 8 |
| Mass Spectrometry (MS) | Measures mass-to-charge ratio of ions | Drug discovery, proteomics, environmental analysis 7 | Hyphenated systems (e.g., SFE-SFC-MS winning Editors' Award); portable MS systems 4 8 |
| Atomic Spectroscopy | Analyzes elemental composition by exciting atoms | Metal contamination testing, mineral analysis | Expansion of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) in handheld devices 8 |
One of the most compelling stories from Pittcon 2015 was the advancement of FT-IR from a bulky lab instrument to a portable tool for real-world problem-solving. A key experiment that exemplifies this shift is the use of portable FT-IR for the rapid diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) and other rheumatologic disorders 6 .
The challenge with conditions like FM is the difficulty of diagnosis, often leading to patient frustration. This experiment aimed to find a rapid, vibrational biomarker-based method.
The results were striking. The OPLS-DA model successfully classified the spectra into their corresponding disorders with remarkably high sensitivity and specificity 6 . The analysis identified that peptide backbones and aromatic amino acids served as the key biomarkers differentiating the diseases 6 .
This experiment's scientific importance is profound. It demonstrated that portable FT-IR, combined with chemometrics, could enable accurate, high-throughput diagnostics in a clinical setting. The technique is rapid, non-invasive, and could potentially lead to real-time, in-clinic diagnosis, revolutionizing patient care for complex chronic conditions 6 .
| Patient Group | Sample Size (n) | Classification Success | Primary Identified Biomarkers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fibromyalgia (FM) | 122 | Correctly classified with high sensitivity and specificity (Rcv > 0.93) 6 | Peptide backbones, aromatic amino acids 6 |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) | 43 | Correctly classified with high sensitivity and specificity (Rcv > 0.93) 6 | Peptide backbones, aromatic amino acids 6 |
| Systemic Lupus (SLE) | 17 | Correctly classified with high sensitivity and specificity (Rcv > 0.93) 6 | Peptide backbones, aromatic amino acids 6 |
| Osteoarthritis (OA) | 10 | Correctly classified with high sensitivity and specificity (Rcv > 0.93) 6 | Peptide backbones, aromatic amino acids 6 |
Bloodspot samples collected from patients with various rheumatologic disorders.
Four different preparation methods optimized for spectral quality.
Portable FT-IR with ATR accessory captures molecular vibration data.
OPLS-DA chemometrics identifies disease-specific biomarkers.
High-accuracy classification of disorders based on spectral patterns.
Behind every successful experiment is a suite of reliable reagents and materials. The following toolkit includes essentials highlighted at Pittcon 2015, crucial for the experiments described above and many others in the spectroscopic field.
Allows for direct analysis of solids, liquids, and powders in FT-IR without preparation; diamond is virtually indestructible and chemically inert 8 .
Essential for calibrating instruments and ensuring analytical accuracy; standards accredited under ISO 17025 and ISO Guide 34 were emphasized 8 .
Holds liquid samples for UV-Vis analysis; quartz is mandatory for UV light as glass and plastic absorb UV wavelengths 2 .
Uses algorithms (PCA, PLS) to extract meaningful chemical information from complex spectral data, turning raw spectra into actionable results 6 .
Nanostructured surfaces that dramatically enhance the Raman scattering signal, enabling detection of very low analyte concentrations 8 .
Used in FT-IR and NMR to avoid having the solvent's signal overwhelm the sample's signal; crucial for studies like hydrogen/deuterium exchange in proteins 6 .
The spectroscopic innovations showcased at Pittcon 2015 were more than just incremental improvements; they were signposts pointing toward the future of analytical science. The trends were clear: instrumentation was becoming more accessible through portability, more powerful through integration with advanced data analysis, and more focused on solving specific real-world problems.
Portable devices bringing lab-quality analysis to the field and clinic.
Advanced data analysis extracting meaningful patterns from complex spectra.
Focused solutions for real-world problems in healthcare and environment.
From the gold-award-winning hyphenated MS systems to the portable FT-IR devices that bring diagnosis from the central lab to the clinic, the tools on display empowered scientists to truly "be in their element" 4 6 8 .
The legacy of these advancements continues today, as spectroscopy remains at the forefront of tackling global challenges in health, environment, and technology. The work begun in New Orleans in 2015 has undoubtedly contributed to faster medical diagnoses, a better understanding of disease mechanisms, and more robust monitoring of our environment, proving that the fundamental quest to understand matter at its most basic level is one of humanity's most productive endeavors.