Spectroscopy-09-01-2013

In pharmaceutical contract manufacturing, the work of analytical scientists is covered by a quality agreement, which is prepared by personnel in the quality control or quality assurance department and focuses on the laboratory analyses provided. But what exactly are quality agreements, why do we need them, who should be involved in writing them, and what should they contain? Here, we answer those questions.

Raman spectroscopy has developed into a key analytical tool for the pharmaceutical industry.

An important method of recognition in the scientific community is to use an individual's name in a description of the contribution, known as an eponymous tribute. Mass spectrometry showcases a number of inventions named after the inventor. Here, we explain two: the Brubaker prefilter and Kendrick mass.

What exactly is a "Raman image" and how is it rendered? The authors explain those points, and demonstrate the use of Raman imaging for the characterization of thin-film and ion-implanted silicon structures. High spectral resolution makes it possible to resolve or contrast the substrate silicon and polysilicon film in Raman images and thus aids in the chemical or physical differentiation of spectrally similar materials.

Raman spectroscopy and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) are proving to be valuable tools in biomedical research and clinical diagnostics. This review looks at two examples: the use of traditional Raman spectroscopy for the assessment of breast cancer and the use of SERS for the screening of pancreatic cancer biomarkers.

Click the title above to open the Spectroscopy September 2013 regular issue, Vol 28 No 9, in an interactive PDF format.