Name of course:
Hands-on Liquid Chromatography–Mass spectrometry course in the analysis of small molecules (phytochemicals, contaminants, primary metabolites)

ECTS credits:
8 ECTS

Course parameters:
Language: English
Level of course: PhD course
Time of year: June 2019
No. of contact hours/hours in total incl. preparation, assignment(s) or the like:

• Preparatory reading of textbook: Approx. 40 hours.
• Tuesday 11 June – Friday 21 June: Long and intensive days - part of the exercises will take place in the evening to assure that all participants have plenty of hands-on time.
• Report writing: Approx. 100 hours

Capacity limits: 12 participants

Objectives of the course:
Advanced tools such as liquid or gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry are necessary tool in the research into small molecules, either phytochemicals with defense or health properties, environmental contaminants such as pesticides or primary metabolites that can be affected by the presence of other bioactive compounds. The objective of the course is to teach the participant the theoretical background as well as the practical use of these tools for quantitative analysis as well as for identification. The course will take place in a well-equipped laboratory at Aarhus University, Research Centre Flakkebjerg, DK-4200 Slagelse, Denmark. LC-MSMS, LCMS-QTRAP,  LC-TOF, GC-TOF instruments will be available for the students during the course and our experienced staff will provide instruction on the use of the equipment as well as practical techniques for the preparation of samples.

Learning outcomes and competences:
At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

• Use LCMSMS or GCMS equipment for quantitative and qualitative analysis of small molecules
• Give an account for the principles behind development of chromatographic methods for separation of small molecules
• Perform a basic method validation for quantitative analysis in LCMSMS
• Optimize the parameters for analysis of selected compounds
• Use LCMS-QTRAP or LC-QTOF in the identification of small molecules or their metabolization products
  
  

Compulsory programme:
Entire course.

Course contents:
The course is constructed as follows:

• Preparatory reading of selected chapters in an LC-MSMS textbook
• Approximately three days of practical exercises on basic LC-MSMS, quantitation methods, optimization of parameters for selected small molecules, preparation of samples, matrix effects, validation of the quantitative method
• Approximately three days of practical exercises chosen on the basis of each student’s on-going PhD project
• Theoretical lessons on
  • Optimization of extraction methods
  • Method validation: LOD, LOQ, recovery, matrix interferences
  • ESI and APCI inlet systems
  • Use of an ion trap for analysis of small molecules
  • HPLC method development and optimization
  • Interpretation of mass spectra
  • Metabolomics
  • Representative sampling: plants, soil and water
  • Good Laboratory Practice
  • New developments in mass spectrometry
• Subsequent elaboration of a 30- to 40-page report on the practical exercises.
  
  

Prerequisites:
The course is for PhD students (in special individual cases master students with already planned PhD projects can be given access).

Name of lecturers:
Lecturers from Aarhus University:

• Associate professor Inge S. Fomsgaard (course coordinator)
• Postdoc Nanna Vidkjær
• PhD students Bina Bhattarai, Kourosh Hooshmand, and Hamidreza Ardalani
• Laboratory Technicians Bente Laursen, Kirsten Heinrichson, and Claudia Jensen

Visiting lecturers:

• Mass spectrometry specialist, Sciex
• Chromatography specialist, Phenomenex
  
  

Type of course/teaching methods:
Lectures, practical exercises

Literature:
Study material will be shipped to the participating students not later than 15 May 2019.

Course homepage:
None

Course assessment:
Elaboration of a 30- to 40-page report on the practical exercises. The report is assessed as "passed" or "not passed". Presence at a minimum of 90% of theoretical and practical lessons is required to obtain the course diploma.

Provider:
Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University

Special comments on this course:
Lab days will include Saturday, 15 June 2019. Sunday will be off.

Comments from participants in 2018:

• “I liked that we got to run our first samples already the first day – really a hands on course.”
• “Combination of theoretical and experimental work helped me to improve my understanding of work that I am doing in the lab.”
• “It was a very nice research and learning environment; the lecturers and lab technicians were very helpful and patient.”
• “I found rewarding being given the opportunity to bring my own samples, so there was something even more to look forward to.”
• “Industry guest lectures are nice and really targeted to the instruments we use.”
  
  

Time:
Tuesday 11 June – Friday 21 June 2019

Place:
The course venue is Research Centre Flakkebjerg, situated in Southwest Zealand, 10 km south of Slagelse (100 km west of Copenhagen).

Complete address:
Department of Agroecology - Research Centre Flakkebjerg
Forsøgsvej 1
DK-4200 Slagelse
Denmark

Tel: +45 87 15 81 92

Direct telephone number to Inge S. Fomsgaard: +45 87 15 82 12 or +45 22 28 33 99

Inge.Fomsgaard@agro.au.dk

Accommodation will be at OnlySleep, Trafikcenter Alle 2-4, DK-4200 Slagelse.

Registration:
Deadline for registration and payment: 15 May 2019. Maximum number of participants: 12. First come, first served.

Please register at https://events.au.dk/Hands-on-2019

Cancellation

Registration is binding, but you may cancel your registration by sending an e-email to sonja.graugaard@agro.au.dk no later than 1 May 2019. If you cancel your registration later than 1 May, your registration fee will be forfeit, and your seat may be transferred to another person.

If you have any questions, please contact Sonja Graugaard, e-mail: sonja.graugaard@agro.au.dk