In response to the over-dependence and misuse of antimicrobials in food producing animals, ... analytical testing and surveillance is being stepped up. Here, current best practice and likely directions for monitoring antimicrobials is described.

The proteome, which is the set of proteins expressed by a genome, cell, tissue or organism at a given time ... presents immense analytical challenges – but offers substantial rewards. Here, current approaches to proteomics, their strengths and their shortcomings, are explored.

With many potential benefits, it is easy to understand the drive to develop systems and methods acceptable to the regulatory authorities.

It is now recognised that regarding a child as a scaled down adult to calculate a medicine dose may not be appropriate.

Introduced by Robert Guthrie in the 1960s, dried blood spot (DBS) sampling involves taking small drops ... of blood from either a finger prick (or heel prick in neonates) and depositing them on specially manufactured absorbent card where they are allowed to dry. Once dry, DBS cards can be readily transported by post for analysis since the components of the blood remain unchanged for several days, even at room temperature. For analysis, a portion of the blood spot is removed from the card and placed in a solvent to extract the analyte(s) of interest.

What short- and long-term impact will sequestration have on the US scientific community?

Microrheology is in its early stages, but it has the potential to expand the range and enhance the application of rheological characterization.

An illustration of how working with customers throughout development increases the effectiveness of ... new products.

Why lab SOPs are cumbersome and often ignored, and what can be done to improve them ...

Recording the impact of chemistry on society, the Chemical Heritage Foundation's participation in Pittcon adds valuable, historical depth.