Annual Reviews 2020: Recent advances in analytical sciences

Abstract

This issue of Analytical Science Advances includes review papers written by authorities in the field, covering a wide range of topics in the field of analytical sciences. Authors were asked to provide a critical review discussing the state-of-the-art in their field and highlight the key developments and applications covering the literature published in 2020. These reviews are ideally suited for those who want a rapid overview of the latest advances in a particular field and learn about emerging applications. Mass spectrometry (MS) is an immensely important analytical technology that still rapidly develops and continues to find new application areas. In their review on the rise of single-cell proteomics, Ctortecka and Mechtler discuss the current state-of-the-art MS-based workflows. In particular, aspects of sample preparation when working with minute amounts of samples are discussed, new possibilities in separation science are highlighted, and emerging MS quantification strategies including data postprocessing are discussed. An overview of the current capabilities of high-resolution MS and its applicability to pharmaceutical analysis is provided by Géhin and Holman. Rankin-Turner and Heaney discuss new technological advances in ambient ionization MS and provide an overview of key paper published in biomedical sciences, forensics and security, food sciences, the environment, and chemical synthesis. The Hoffmann group summarizes the latest developments in MS imaging, with a focus on the latest approaches for tissue-based imaging. Several topics are covered in the field of separation science. De Vos et al. summarize the latest advances in UHPLC and multi-dimensional LC instrument development and highlight recent key applications. The Franchina group reports on the latest instrumental advances and applications of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC), including its hyphenation with novel upstream or downstream processes. Major applied fields such as energy, fuel, foodstuff, plant, biological, and environmental are also covered. The analysis of low molecular weight polar and ionic components using ion chromatography (IC) coupled to MS is summarized by Bruggink and Jensen. Further applications using IC hyphenated to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric detection are reviewed. Muza et al. described the recent advances in designing and fabricating bioconjugated and selfassembled polymer structures and their characterization using field flow fractionation. The latter separation technique utilizes fluid flow dynamics and external force fields for effective separations at steadystate conditions within a solvent filled channel. Finally, Eeltink et al.