All Things Chromatography

Congratulations to the Delaware Biotechnology Scholarship Winners

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We have been proud supporters of the Delaware Governors' Biotechnology Fund Scholarship and we join Governor Jack Markell in congradulating the 2010 recipients.

The following is an official statement from the office of the Governor:

Governor Jack Markell presented the 2010 Delaware Governors’ Biotechnology Fund Scholarships to three students on May 17th.

Scholarships were presented to Charles Eke, a student at Delaware State University; Nathan Pomroy, a student at Delaware Technical and Community College; and Melanie Smith, a student at the University of Delaware.

The Delaware Governors’ Biotechnology Scholarship Fund was created by the Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology in 2006 for the purpose of encouraging Delaware students to consider studies and career opportunities in the growing field of biotechnology. Thee scholarship fund was named to acknowledge the support of state governors, starting with Governor Ruth Ann Minner, for contributing to the growth of the biotechnology industry in the State of Delaware.

Scholarships are awarded annually to a student from each of the following institutions: The University of Delaware, Delaware State University and Delaware Technical and Community College. Student winners must demonstrates a commitment to pursuing the highest standards of excellence, ethics and compassion in the biotechnology field.

From its inception, local companies, including Astra Zeneca, Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology, iBio Inc., ANP Technologies Inc. Analtech Inc.,and QPS have supported the scholarship fund. The Delaware Governors’ Biotechnology Scholarship Fund is held at the Delaware Community Foundation.

(in photo: Melanie Smith, a student at the University of Delaware, DE Governor Jack Markell, Charles Eke, a student at Delaware State University, Nathan Pomroy, a student at Delaware Technical and Community College)

Production Manager celebrates 35 years of making Thin Layer Chromatography plates

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Our Company came together recently to honor Production Manager Terry McVey for 35 years of service.

Terry started working for Analtech, Inc. in the spring of 1975 and worked his way up the ranks to Production Manager.

Today, Terry is responsible for overseeing the production of thousands of thin layer chromatography plates every month.

"This company really is like family," Terry said. "It's great to work with such a quality team of people."

General Manager Steven Miles said Terry is more than just a great Production Manager.

"Terry is an excellent role model," said Miles. "If my children ever decide to come to work here, I want them learning from Terry - he is a great leader and teacher."

Company Marks one year of four-day work weeks

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We just issued the following Press Release - seriously - four day work weeks are the way to go:

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NEWARK, DE - Analtech, Inc., the only U.S. manufacturer of thin layer chromatography plates and equipment, marks one year of operating on a four-day work schedule this week.

Since the company started in 1961, Analtech has manufactured thin layer chromatography plates for eight hours a day, five days a week.

But, starting in May of 2009, the company switched to working four days a week for ten hours each.

"Our company started our 'Lean Journey' with the Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership in 2008," said General Manager Steven C. Miles. "In addition to streamlining our manufacturing process, we started looking at every aspect of our business in a new light, so when we heard about the state of Utah switching to a four-day work week, we thought it was worth a try."

"After coordinating with our customers, suppliers, freight carriers, mail carriers, and others, we changed our operating hours the first week of May last year," said Miles.

A Significant Change

More than half of Analtech's 17 employees have been working with the company for more than 20 years. The company decided to move to a four-day work week on a trial basis at first.

"This was certainly something new," said Production Manager Terry McVey. "I wasn't sure how well this would work at first, but the results have been encouraging across the board."

"The results we're seeing are similar to what we've heard from the state of Utah," said Miles. "Productivity and morale - both measured pretty high before the transition - improved even more, absenteeism is down and we're seeing savings in our energy bills."

More Benefits

Micky Jones, Human Resources Manager for Analtech, says there's more benefits to the change in work hours.

"By cutting down on our energy use and requiring our team to only commute four days a week instead of five, I believe we're benefiting the local environment," said Jones. "Add to that the improved work/life balance for the team, and this looks like a win-win-win situation."
Coincidentally, as Analtech marks one year of four-day weeks inspired by reports from the state of Utah, the May, 2010 edition of Readers Digest has an article about 25 ideas that will improve your life - number two on the list is the four-day work week:

You can thank the recession for starting the conversation about better ways to work, says Rex Facer, a management professor at Brigham Young University. After Utah became the first state to mandate a four-day week for most of its employees, Facer found that workers, who received the same salary either way, preferred four longer days to five shorter ones and called in sick less often. The state also saw its bills slashed: Fewer miles on state vehicles provided $1.4 million in savings, while less overtime and sick leave cut another $4.1 million. Although four days don't work for everyone, the trend is expected to grow. Cities like Birmingham, Alabama, and Melbourne Beach, Florida, recently began offering Monday-to-Thursday schedules to some workers, and research suggests that more than a third of U.S. employers-including recent convert General Motors-now give the option. "It's a way to attract and retain talented employees," says Facer.

Click Here for link to the Readers Digest article.

Analtech featured in Business Ledger article

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The Delaware Business Ledger's January issue features a

It is already apparent that Delaware may be ahead of the curve, based on the widespread use of social networking tools, with large companies such as DuPont, ING Direct and AstraZeneca having a Twitter presence. State government is also on board with various agencies using Twitter.

Championing the initiative is Ken Grant... He now works as a marketing director for Analtech, based near Newark.

In 2008, he helped produce a short web-based movie for the company. Using a touch of comedy, it featured an actress playing Ana L'tech. It used humor to promote the company's Thin Layer Chromatography laboratory products to a worldwide audience. It earned Grant and Anltech a lot press coverage, locally, nationally and even overseas. 

Click Here to read the complete article. 

Great Interview about Chromatography with Cleanroom.net

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Ned Dugan featured in TLC Forum

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Analtech's Technical Director, Ned Dugan, is featured in a recently posted Technology Forum on Thin Layer Chromatography on LCGC's Chromatography Online.

Here's an excerpt:

What advantages does TLC have over other methods for pharmaceutical analysis?

Dugan: In some ways, TLC can offer obvious advantages to other methods for analysis. Usually TLC is simpler, faster, more environmentally friendly, and significantly less expensive than other forms of analysis. Minimal sample preparation is required and solvent consumption is comparatively low. In addition, TLC is a very simple and forgiving method of analysis. If a mistake is made, very little time or resources are wasted.

In other ways, TLC can be the perfect compliment to other methods of analysis. Besides the fact that TLC is used as an inexpensive pilot method for establishing separation protocols, there are many hyphenated chromatography techniques that involve TLC. 

Click Here to read the complete forum.

VIDEO REPORT: Chromatography used to identify 300 Year-Old Native American Dyes

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WHYY Senior Health and Science Reporter Kerry Grens' report on research by University of Delaware Doctoral Student Christina Cole on the composition of dyes used by Native Americans using chromatography. The report features an explanation of chromatography by Analtech General Manager Steven Miles and an interview with Delaware State University Prof. Claytrice Watson about forensic science.

Adventures in Making a Viral Video

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We can't believe it - this time last year we were getting together costumes, make-up, swords, pineapples, and ducks!

It was on June 21, 2008 (summer solstice, longest sunlight day of the year), that dozens of us gathered at Mt. Cuba Center and worked from before sun-up until past sun-down to create "The Adventures of Ana L'Tech"

To get a look at what the day was like (from the dressing room to the bloopers), click here.

For an incredible collection of photos from that day, click here.

Cast and Crew of "The Adventures of Ana L'Tech"


Written & Directed By                    Christopher Stout
 
Cast

Ana L'Tech                Stacey Ann Shevlin
Baker                       Betsy Gage
Cloth Dyer                Marcie Weigelt
Brewer                    Tom Wagner
Baldric                     Jim Jones

Sheriff                     Dan “Risk” Sutton
Lackey                          Micky Jones
(no relation to Jim Jones)
First Guard               Bill Berger
Second Guard           Gus Miller
Third Guard              Joe Zilcosky
Fourth Guard            Justin Grant

First “Witch”              Ann-Marie Jordan
Second “Witch”          Eleonore S. Thomas
Third “Witch”             Dr. Merle Edelstein

The Royal Duck          Howard

Turkey-leg guy           JJ Brannon

“No Clue” guy             Matt Lamkin
(founder and president of the company)

“She's French” woman     Rebecca C. Faber
(Executive Director of World Trade Center DE)
"burn her" woman           Sara DiSabatino
“Stay on Task” guy          Phil Jones
(no relation to Micky or Jim)

Clapping Guy                    Alok Patel

Alchemist, Dr. Lamkin        Phil Amico

Ironic commentator            Rick Jensen
(Famous Talk Show Host on WDEL)
“Good PR” guy                Mike Castle
  (U.S. Congressman - DE)

The rest of the “Olde Angrye Mobbe”

Steven Miles
  (General Manager for the company)
Amy Miles
Wesley Miles
Seth Miles
Laurel Miles
Holly Miles
(yes, we're OK with nepotism when it comes to film productions)
Kristin Grant
Kelsey Grant
(yep, more nepotism)
Wendy Swift
(Erica's sister-in-law: see nepotism comment above)
Greg Mazzotta
Allegra DiNetta
Jordyn Buckingham
Kathryn Kohler
Kristen Saksa
Sarah Carnish Berry
Smokey Berkley
Squeaky Whittmore
Caine Kubala
Kathy Leigh Samson
Mary Durbano
Jim Durbano
Eric Winter

“Intermission”

Announcer              Ken Grant
(Kristin Grant's husband)
Lab Tech                 Micky Jones
 (yes, he also played the Lackey - he's just that talented)
Adoring Blonde        Erica Sarver Swift
Adoring Brunette      Laurie Jones
(that's right - even more nepotism)

Best Crew in the world

Cinematography         Blake Eichenseer
Assistant Camera       David Rivera
Sound Recordist         Jamie MacPherson
Sound Mixer              Patrick Mulrooney
Cowboy                     Brian Sowards
Key Grip                    Max Kulish
Grip                   Bonnie Von Duyke
Gaffer                       Kevin Lane
PA                   Timmy Von Duyke


Costumes                Gina Scarnati
(for rentals at Opera Delaware, go to www.operade.org)
Make Up                  Freda J. Carson

Duck Provider          Dr. Rob Teti, Founder and Executive Director of Chenoa Manor - www.chenoamanor.org

Filmed Entirely on the grounds of Mt. Cuba - www.mtcubacenter.org - near Wilmington, Delaware - this is one of the most beautiful places on the face of the earth with the nicest staff ever, seriously, these folks are the best, they let us in before sunrise and helped with anything we asked for all day long - if you get a chance, check out these incredible gardens!

Catering            Bella Vista Restaurant - www.bellavistatrattoria.com

Finally, a HUGE Thank You to Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin - we truly appreciate your collective genius!

Tell us what you would like to see!

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Welcome to the first blog dedicated to Thin Layer Chromatography!

We are committed to enhancing communication in the chromatography world and we would love to hear from you.

Please let us know what questions you have, what topics you would like to discuss, and what insights you would like to share.

If you would like, we can even set up a video response to your questions, where our team can show you best practices when it comes to chromatography and offer great tips to help with your separations.

Let us know what you want - we're listening.

Has John Cleese seen this chromatography video?

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As you probably know, there's this fun video that's been making the rounds the past few months:

So the question now is, has John Cleese seen this?

Here's the evidence that indicates he may have:

1) I sent a comment to his blog which needs to have approval before being published, after weeks of waiting, the submission is now posted - click here for exhibit A (scroll down to comment #12)

2) I just received a google alert showing that the video was added to the Cleese page on Funny or Die - click here for exhibit B (scroll down to the 9th video - feel free to give it a "funny" vote while you're there)

So, what do you think? Have you seen or heard anything that indicates he (or any of the other members of Monty Python) have seen this video?