At ASMS 2026, MicrOmics Technologies presented results examining how column integration, emitter geometry, and heater design can influence the performance and usability of plug-and-play nanoLC columns for LC-MS-based proteomics.
The study, “Effect of Emitter, Particle and Heater Design on Integrated-Column for LC-MS-Based Proteomics,” compared the MicrOmics ColuMate platform with two other plug-and-play nanoLC column systems across heating performance, chromatographic separation, proteome identification, usability, and reusability.
ASMS 2026 Research Poster
View the complete poster for experimental conditions, heater-efficiency comparisons, emitter design, chromatographic performance, peak-width measurements, and proteome identification results.
Comparing Plug-and-Play NanoLC Designs
Integrated nanoLC column systems are designed to simplify column installation and support consistent LC-MS workflows. However, commercial systems use substantially different approaches to integrating the analytical column, emitter, fittings, and heating system.
The systems evaluated in the ASMS 2026 study represented three different design approaches:
- Clamshell cartridge design: Integrated or non-integrated columns and fittings are incorporated into a removable cartridge secured within a clamshell heater.
- Molded design: Fittings, column, and separate emitter are molded into a single integrated assembly with the heating element embedded directly within the device.
- Clamp-on design: Fittings and integrated columns are preassembled into a standalone column module, while the heating element is externally clamped onto the column after fabrication.
These design differences can affect not only installation and reusability, but also how effectively heat is transferred to the analytical column.
Experimental Conditions
Each 75 µm × 15 cm column configuration was evaluated in triplicate using QC HeLa digest.
The Thermo columns used a gradient of 3–4% B in 1 minute, followed by 4–16% B in 13 minutes and 16–28% B in 7 minutes, based on Thermo Technical Note TN000138.
The MicrOmics and IonOpticks columns used 20-minute active gradients from 6.5% to 25% B.
All columns were maintained at 50 °C.
The instrument setup included:
- Thermo Ultimate 3000 nanoLC with direct injection
- Thermo Exploris 480 with FAIMS Pro
- DIA-NN for data analysis
Heater Design Influences Thermal Performance
Column temperature is an important operating parameter in nanoLC. According to the study, heating from room temperature at approximately 23 °C to 50 °C should reduce pressure by approximately 36% based on the corresponding change in solvent viscosity.
The ASMS comparison showed differences in pressure response among the three heating designs.
- MicrOmics: pressure response was slightly greater than the theoretical value.
- Vendor T: pressure response was slightly below the theoretical value.
- Vendor I: pressure response was substantially lower under the tested conditions, which the study associated with its clamp-heater design.
These observations highlight why heater architecture can be an important consideration when evaluating an integrated nanoLC column system.
Emitter Geometry and Signal Performance
The study also compared the emitter configurations used by the evaluated systems.
The designs included:
- Small-opening tapered emitter with a thin wall
- Large-opening constant-ID separate emitter
- Small-opening tapered emitter with a thick wall
Extracted ion chromatograms showed differences in signal intensity among the evaluated configurations.
The study noted that higher signal intensity with comparable peak widths may reflect improved ionization efficiency resulting from optimized emitter geometry.
These results illustrate the importance of considering the analytical column, emitter, and heating system together as components of the complete LC-MS interface.
Chromatographic Performance
Chromatographic performance was evaluated using 10 ng HeLa standard.
The study compared chromatograms and peak widths across the evaluated systems, providing a direct assessment of how the different integrated-column architectures performed under their respective experimental conditions.
The results showed distinct chromatographic characteristics among the three systems, demonstrating that the physical design of an integrated column platform can influence multiple aspects of LC-MS performance.
Proteome Identification
The study also compared proteome identification across the evaluated column systems.
Together with the chromatographic and heating measurements, these results provided a broader comparison of each platform rather than evaluating performance using a single metric.
The MicrOmics configuration demonstrated strong chromatographic and proteome identification performance under the conditions tested.
A Reusable Approach with ColuMate
The MicrOmics ColuMate platform uses a clamshell cartridge architecture in which the analytical column cartridge is secured within a reusable heating system.
This differs from designs in which the heater is permanently embedded into a disposable integrated assembly or externally clamped onto a preassembled column module.
The ColuMate architecture allows the analytical column to be replaced independently while retaining the heating platform.
This approach provides a practical way to combine column installation, thermal control, and reusability within a single nanoLC workflow.
Balancing Performance, Usability, and Reusability
The ASMS 2026 comparison demonstrated that each of the evaluated plug-and-play nanoLC systems has distinct characteristics.
According to the study, Vendor T provided the simplest operation and best user experience, while Vendor I combined strong usability with good chromatographic performance but showed slightly lower heating efficiency.
The MicrOmics ColuMate system demonstrated balanced performance across heating efficiency, chromatographic separation, and reusability, supporting its potential as a practical reusable platform for nanoLC workflows.
Rather than focusing on a single performance characteristic, these results highlight the importance of evaluating the entire LC-MS interface—including column architecture, emitter geometry, thermal performance, chromatography, usability, and reusability.
Designing Practical NanoLC Workflows
For MicrOmics, the ASMS 2026 study demonstrates how the design of the complete column system can influence day-to-day nanoLC-MS performance.
Effective thermal control, chromatographic performance, emitter design, and practical column replacement all contribute to the usability of a nanoLC platform.
The ColuMate system is designed around this integrated approach, combining a reusable clamshell heater with replaceable column cartridges to support flexible nanoLC-MS proteomics workflows.
About the Study
Poster:
Effect of Emitter, Particle and Heater Design on Integrated-Column for LC-MS-Based Proteomics
Authors:
Nathaniel B. Axtell, Thy Truong, and Xiaofeng Xie
Affiliation:
MicrOmics Technologies LLC, Spanish Fork, Utah
Presented at:
ASMS 2026
Full Poster:
Effect of Emitter, Particle and Heater Design on Integrated-Column for LC-MS-Based Proteomics (PDF)
Acknowledgment
This research was supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Contract 75N91023C00027. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
Conflict of Interest
The authors are employees of MicrOmics Technologies with financial interest in the company.
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