Dear friends

The efficient solution of analytical tasks by HPTLC is the focus of this issue. An absolute prerequisite is a sound knowledge of the state-of the-art technique – a conclusion drawn also by Professor Coran (p. 5).

HPTLC is now clearly established in the laboratory, 35 years after the introduction of the high-performance layers. But in the field, industry as well as regulatory laboratories, we meet many customers still using classical TLC layers and old fashioned procedures. To a large extent this is due to the fact that standard operating procedures are based on classical TLC layers, and that substituting an established procedure with HPTLC requires a lot of bureaucracy. Nonetheless, even this appears much better than struggling along for years with inadequate procedures and more importantly, suboptimal results.

Outriders for teaching state-of–the-art knowledge should be university institutes. But unfortunately, nowhere is it more apparent than at universities that TLC is just rudimentarily presented to students, if at all! CAMAG strives to upgrade the knowledge of contemporary HPTLC at universities by offering seminars. If you, as a teaching person are interested in a CAMAG seminar at your institute, contact us via info@camag.com.

An opportunity to see first hand the progress in HPTLC is the attendance of the International Symposium on High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography in Basle, July 6th – 8th, 2011 (last yellow page). Make a note!

Sincerely,
Gerda Morlock
cbs@camag.com