This article, the first in a three-part series, highlights industry perspectives on the technological changes and evolving demands impacting chromatography.
The landscape of analytical chemistry is undergoing a paradigm shift as the AI revolution impacts both data analysis and physical laboratory instrumentation. Separation Science connected with leading voices from major vendors to discuss key innovations—from microstructures to sustainability—that will shape the trajectory of chromatography for 2025 and beyond.
AI Innovation and Advanced Columns
Demand for greater uptime and cost efficiency is driving innovations in instrumentation and workflow design, says John Lesica, president of chromatography and mass spectrometry at Thermo Fisher Scientific. In some cases, this involves using AI to automate calibration and optimize system performance. In others, it means adopting ingenious designs such as micropillar array columns—lithographically engineered columns featuring rod-like elements that ensure a uniform flow path. These columns enable labs to process thousands of samples with high precision and reproducibility.
Lesica notes a growing need for higher throughput as multiomics studies scale to thousands of samples. He highlights how traditional resin-based columns are being replaced by microfluidic chip-based columns, which offer exceptional scalability for proteomic workflows and beyond.
This demand for high-throughput systems extends to liquid chromatography (LC), where efficient fluid handling is critical for processing large sample volumes. “Recent advances in mass spectrometry have increased LC throughput requirements by 40 to 70 percent,” says Lesica, pointing out that improvements in detector technology, such as faster data acquisition and more sensitive readings, contribute significantly to these gains.
Complex Separations and Cloud Solutions
For Doug McCabe, senior director and portfolio owner at Waters Corporation, chromatography remains vital for quality control across industries such as pharmaceuticals, food safety, and environmental testing. But while small molecule separations have become routine, more intricate analytical challenges persist.
“Handling complex separations, such as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), mRNA, and nucleotide therapeutics, demands more specialized techniques,” explains McCabe. “There is a concerted effort to design systems and consumables that reduce interactions with analytes, particularly 'sticky' compounds such as biopharmaceuticals.”
McCabe also highlights the growing trend of making advanced chromatography systems more accessible to labs of all expertise levels. Standardized, preconfigured setups simplify the operation of chromatography instruments, reducing human errors and enabling quicker adoption even by novice users.
Cloud integration is transforming how chromatographers engage with their instruments, adds McCabe. By enabling remote monitoring, seamless data sharing, and consistent workflows across global sites, cloud-based solutions enhance flexibility and collaboration. User-friendly interfaces, including touchscreens, further simplify system control and improve accessibility for newcomers.
Smaller, Sustainable Technology
As lab space constraints collide with rising customer needs, chromatography instrumentation is shifting toward smaller, portable designs. Alan Owens, GC/GC-MS product manager at Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, expects that outfitting labs with more compact instrumentation will be critical in the coming years, enabling greater productivity and throughput.
“From the vendors' perspective, chromatographic systems are evolving to be not only smaller but more efficient,” Owens says. “Reduced power consumption, mobile phase usage (gas or liquid), consumables, and operational costs have all moved to the forefront of product development.”
From the laboratory's standpoint, he adds, there will be a strong emphasis on cutting costs—which pairs with sustainability initiatives such as lower solvent use and reduced energy consumption.
Conclusion
Chromatography is entering an era of seamless automation, with real-time process optimization and minimal need for manual oversight. Labs that embrace these advancements will gain a competitive edge, while those slow to adapt may find it challenging to keep pace. Stay connected with Separation Science to track the latest developments shaping the future of the field.
About the Experts
John Lesica
President, Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Division, Thermo Fisher Scientific
John Lesica is the President of Thermo Fisher’ Scientific’s chromatography and mass spectrometry business. The multi-billion-dollar chromatography and mass spectrometry business, and the 7,000 colleague’s under John’s leadership, provide innovative and productivity enhancing products and services to customers across the globe—supporting those customers with breakthrough innovations from basic research including proteomics and metabolomics to pharma and biotech to applied markets including clinical, semiconductor, food and beverage, and oil and gas.
Doug McCabe
Senior Director and Portfolio Owner, Waters Corporation
Doug McCabe is the Senior Director and Portfolio Owner, QA/QC at Waters Corporation. Doug leads a
team of product managers, product marketers, applications chemists, and evaluations scientists who
support Waters HPLC and UHPLC customers and systems. Prior to his current role as Portfolio Owner,
Doug led the Chemistry consumables marketing and product management team. Doug has been with
Waters since 2001 when he was hired as product marketing manager of HPLC columns. Throughout his
career at Waters, he has been involved in defining, developing, and commercializing new products that
enable successful chromatographic separations.
Alan Owens
GC/GC-MS Product Manager, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments
Alan Owens is the GC and GC-MS Product Manager at Shimadzu Scientific Instruments. Alan joined Shimadzu in 2016, with a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry, as a GC-MS Product Specialist before ascending to the role of Product Manager in 2021 for GC-MS and 2023 for GC. With over a decade of hands-on experience, Alan Owens has established himself as a distinguished authority in Gas Chromatography and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.
