Comments on: Journalist’s definition of Chromatography http://www.justchromatography.com/gc/journalist-definition-of-chromatography Everything about Chromatography and Analytical Chemistry Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:02:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 By: Ψ*Ψ http://www.justchromatography.com/gc/journalist-definition-of-chromatography#comment-84 Ψ*Ψ Tue, 15 May 2007 22:49:48 +0000 http://www.justchromatography.com/gc/journalist-definition-of-chromatography#comment-84 If that were the extent of the utility of chromatography, I think chemists would be seriously screwed. If that were the extent of the utility of chromatography, I think chemists would be seriously screwed.

]]> By: Chemist http://www.justchromatography.com/gc/journalist-definition-of-chromatography#comment-83 Chemist Tue, 15 May 2007 22:28:27 +0000 http://www.justchromatography.com/gc/journalist-definition-of-chromatography#comment-83 Ed, Thank you for your comment! I actually enjoy your blog immensely and I read it via RSS. You are such an eloquent science writer and you make topics of Molecular Biology, Evolution, and Public Health (something that would normally be on the edge of my research interests) so appealing. :) Ed,
Thank you for your comment! I actually enjoy your blog immensely and I read it via RSS. You are such an eloquent science writer and you make topics of Molecular Biology, Evolution, and Public Health (something that would normally be on the edge of my research interests) so appealing. :)

]]> By: Chemist http://www.justchromatography.com/gc/journalist-definition-of-chromatography#comment-82 Chemist Tue, 15 May 2007 22:05:06 +0000 http://www.justchromatography.com/gc/journalist-definition-of-chromatography#comment-82 Hello TBV, I am not sure what type of chromatography was used in this particular case but for the IOC banned substances and forensic needs they use <a href="http://www.justchromatography.com/chromatography/gc/" rel="nofollow">Gas Chromatography</a>/<a href="http://www.justchromatography.com/wiki/mass-spectrometry/" rel="nofollow">Mass Spectrometry</a> - when the sample is volatilized and carried by inert gas (like nitrogen or helium) through a long and very thin tube to achieve separation of components followed by identification with MS. So I guess that's where the AP guy got confused and started bubbling gas thru urine :) I am not trying to be disrespectful here but it's just very funny. I never wrote for the AP but I would write something like this: "Chromatography is the process labs use to separate out and identify different compounds. Gas Chromatography, a very sensitive type of chromatography, is commonly used on urine to test for steroids and drugs." Hello TBV,

I am not sure what type of chromatography was used in this particular case but for the IOC banned substances and forensic needs they use Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry - when the sample is volatilized and carried by inert gas (like nitrogen or helium) through a long and very thin tube to achieve separation of components followed by identification with MS.

So I guess that’s where the AP guy got confused and started bubbling gas thru urine :) I am not trying to be disrespectful here but it’s just very funny.

I never wrote for the AP but I would write something like this:

“Chromatography is the process labs use to separate out and identify different compounds. Gas Chromatography, a very sensitive type of chromatography, is commonly used on urine to test for steroids and drugs.”

]]> By: trust but verify http://www.justchromatography.com/gc/journalist-definition-of-chromatography#comment-81 trust but verify Tue, 15 May 2007 21:07:27 +0000 http://www.justchromatography.com/gc/journalist-definition-of-chromatography#comment-81 Hi, the AP guy is usually a few rows away from me in the pressroom. Give me a better description of the same length, and i'll give it to him. TBV Hi, the AP guy is usually a few rows away from me in the pressroom.

Give me a better description of the same length, and i’ll give it to him.

TBV

]]> By: Ed Yong http://www.justchromatography.com/gc/journalist-definition-of-chromatography#comment-80 Ed Yong Tue, 15 May 2007 20:35:31 +0000 http://www.justchromatography.com/gc/journalist-definition-of-chromatography#comment-80 Ah journalists... sometimes you think they've got the wrong end of the stick. Sometimes you think they're holding entirely the wrong stick altogether. Sometimes it seems like they're not sure what a stick is at all and are waving a ukelele with great enthusiasm while the rest of the world looks on, smirking. Sandesh - I like your blog. It's quite a niche subject but you write about it well. I'll stick up a link from mine at some point. -Ed Ah journalists… sometimes you think they’ve got the wrong end of the stick. Sometimes you think they’re holding entirely the wrong stick altogether. Sometimes it seems like they’re not sure what a stick is at all and are waving a ukelele with great enthusiasm while the rest of the world looks on, smirking.

Sandesh - I like your blog. It’s quite a niche subject but you write about it well. I’ll stick up a link from mine at some point.

-Ed

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