UCT crowns 2 more at SOFT

Over the years, Michael Telepchak, president and CEO of UCT, has honored forensic toxicologists at the Annual Meeting of Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT) with the prestigious Excellence in SPE Award. This presentation occurs at the famous Elmer Gordon Forum, hosted by H. Chip Walls and Bob Zettl. At this year's meeting, two awards were presented. One was given to Dr. Robert Kronstrand (Associate Professor in Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine) from Linkoping, Sweden for his outstanding work on the determination of ethylglucuronide in hair using UCT's ETG SPE column. The second award was presented to a new SOFT member, Ms. Kelly Burns from Onondaga County Center for Forensic Sciences for her development work on a procedure for the analysis of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and metabolites in whole blood using SPE.

SOFT 2010 recognition

UCT was well represented at this years annual meeting of the Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT), held at Richmond, VA. Among those presentations well recieved by members of SOFT was the analysis of post mortem samples for THC and metabolites given by David Schwoppe (NIDA). In his presentation, David described data obtained using Clean Screen® THC columns. He is currently studying for a PhD with Dr. Huestis who has presented many studies into the analysis of THC using the world renowned UCT Clean Screen THC sorbent.

Samantha Tolliver, who is based at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Miami Dade (Florida) presented a study into the analysis of ante/ post mortem concentrations of opiates using the famous UCT Clean Screen DAU column. An interesting presentation employing this sorbent was offered by Julie Elbogen, who validated a method for the chiral analysis of Methamphetamine. This study was conducted as part of her degree program.

In the field of animal testing toxicology, Prof. Adam Negrisz of the University of Chicago, Illinois presented some studies into the analyses of drugs in equine urine. These studies were carried out on both the Xtract® and C18 SPE columns. UCT has supported the laboratories and facilities involved in animal drug testing for many years, and Prof. Negrusz's work is evidence of this. Daniel Baker (Franklin County Medical Examiners Laboratory, Ohio) presented a poster describing the wide range of drugs that can be isolated and analyzed from post mortem samples using Clean Screen DAU SPE columns.

Two New Posters at SOFT 2010 (Booth #9,10,11)

At the 2010 annual meeting of Society of Forensic Toxicologists, held in Richmond, VA, UCT Inc. will be presenting two new posters. This work has been performed in collaboration with a major crime laboratory facility. These posters demonstrate the wide range versatility of the world renowned Clean Screen DAU SPE column.

The first poster describes the use of this SPE column for analyzing both Psilocybin and Psilocin in urine using LC-MS/MS. Until now, analysts facing a "magic mushroom" intoxication have only been able to determine the concentrations of the metabolite either by GC-MS or LC-MS/MS using SPE, but with this new methodology they will be able to perform analyses providing valuable data on both compounds.

The second poster describes the analysis of Phenazepam in a whole blood sample. Although relatively uncommon in this country, this drug has been found in Central Europe. More recently, it has been found in drugs/driving cases in the US. The information contained in the poster will help analysts perform an efficient procedure using the famous Clean Screen SPE column.

We will be located at Booths #9,10,11. We look forward to seeing everyone!

Innovative ethyl glucuronide study on camels

UCT would like to offer congratulations to Dr. I.Wasfi of the Camel Racing Laboratory, part of the Forensic Science Facility in Abu Dhabi. Dr Wasfi has just published an innovative study on the pharmacokinetics of Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG) in the camel (Vet. J. July 2010). In the middle east, the camel is an important part of animal racing family along with horses. UCT has a long, established history in the support of racing animal testing facilities around the world. This study employs the world reknowned UCT EtG SPE column. Although this SPE sorbent is much more well known for hair ETG analysis, this study shows its effectiveness in the area of blood analysis.
Further details of this SPE column can be found on the website: www.unitedchem.com or calling 1-800-385-3153.

Nobel Prize in Chemistry

As the 2010 Nobel Prize (Chemistry) has just been announced, UCT would like to offer congratulations to Prof. Heck from the University of Delaware for his pioneering work in the field of Palladium chemistry. Professor Heck was one of the teachers of Dr. Wayne King (Synthesis Section - UCT Specialities) whilst he was at the university. Dr. King went on from this institution to develop his skills in the area of Silane Chemsitry, and is now a integral part of UCT Specialty Chemical Section which offers the highest quality Silanes and Organosilanes (including derivatizing reagents (BSTFA/MTBSTA) to the scientific community world wide.

Tobacco Science Research Conference (October 12-13)

This meeting brings together tobacco research scientsits from across the United States and beyond. Attending will be UCT's most senior representatives: Michael Telepchak (President and CEO) and Phillip Spraker (a senior represenative of UCT). Together Mike and Phil will be presenting work developed by UCT.

UCT has a long and valuable history in the field of Tobacco related research, thus it is proud and honored to be not only in attendance, but to be presenting work for the benefit of the scientists actively engaged in tobacco research. Scientists will find the range of materials, applications, and methods at the cutting edge of research. Mike and Phil will also be on hand to answer questions, and address queries regarding UCT's sorbents and their applications.