Demystifying Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography
To read the article we discussed, please visit: Chromatography Online
To learn more about Katelynn's lab, please visit: Nontargeted Separations Laboratory
The complex world of analytical chemistry often seems daunting to newcomers, particularly when it comes to advanced techniques like comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC). In a recent episode of the Concentrating on Chromatography podcast, David Oliva, General Manager of Organomation, interviewed Dr. Katelynn Perrault Uptmor, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at William & Mary, who is making remarkable strides in simplifying this powerful analytical technique for new users.
Meet the Expert: Dr. Katelynn Perrault Uptmor
Dr. Perrault Uptmor has rapidly established herself as a leading voice in separation science. As the recipient of the 2025 LCGC Emerging Leader in Chromatography Award, her contributions to the field have been recognized for their innovation and impact. After earning her Ph.D. in Forensic Analytical Chemistry from the University of Technology Sydney and completing postdoctoral research at the University of Liège in Belgium, she held a position at Chaminade University of Honolulu before establishing the Nontargeted Separations Laboratory at William & Mary in 2023.
Her research focuses on applying comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography to various fields, including forensic science, odor analysis, and natural product research. What makes her work particularly noteworthy is her commitment to making advanced analytical techniques more accessible to new users, a theme that resonated throughout the interview.
Understanding GC×GC: A Powerful Analytical Tool
During the interview, Dr. Perrault Uptmor provided a clear explanation of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography and how it differs from traditional one-dimensional GC. "Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography system is very similar to what most people know about one dimensional gas chromatography," she explained, before highlighting the key differences.
In traditional 1D-GC, a sample is injected, vaporized, and then separated on a single column based on the analytes' affinity for the stationary phase. The goal is for compounds to arrive at the detector one by one. However, when dealing with complex samples containing hundreds or thousands of compounds, this separation becomes challenging.
GC×GC addresses this limitation by adding a secondary separation step. As Dr. Perrault Uptmor described, "What we do is we collect what's coming out of the primary column, which is the exact same as the column that you'd see in 1D-GC. So you're collecting for short periods of time... and then you use like a fast injection onto a secondary column." This secondary column has a different stationary phase, allowing for separation based on a different retention mechanism and vastly increasing the separation capacity.
Simplifying Method Development for New Users
One of the key challenges in adopting GC×GC has been the perceived complexity of method development. Dr. Perrault Uptmor addressed this in her LCGC article, "Detangling the Complex Web of GC×GC Method Development to Support New Users," which formed the basis for much of the discussion.
"When GC×GC was initially being developed... there's a really common figure that has been thrown around in the GC×GC community for a long time that we like to friendly refer to as the spaghetti diagram because it shows the interplay of every single component of a GC×GC system," she noted. This complexity has been intimidating for many potential users.
Her approach focuses on simplifying the method development process into logical steps that minimize subjective decision-making. "I think what we were really trying to do with this article is show people that there is a very logical way to work through how you do your method development," she explained.
The workflow she presented starts with establishing a good one-dimensional separation, using modeling tools to predict chromatographic behavior, and then systematically optimizing key GC×GC parameters including the modulation period, oven ramp rates, and temperature offsets. This approach allows new users to develop functional methods quickly without getting overwhelmed by the complexity.
Real-World Applications: From Forensics to Food Analysis
The interview highlighted the diverse applications of GC×GC, which is gaining momentum across multiple fields. Dr. Perrault Uptmor's research predominantly focuses on forensic and food applications, analyzing "fingerprint residue, organic gunshot residue... how tissues decompose over time" as well as "beer and kombucha and a lot of things that ferment."
Beyond her specific research interests, GC×GC has become "a staple for petroleum analysis" and is seeing increased use in environmental applications such as "source apportionment for pollution" and "wildfire analysis". The development of standardized methods, such as the ASTM method for jet fuel analysis, demonstrates the growing acceptance of this technique in routine analytical workflows.
Pioneering Research with Undergraduate Students
One particularly inspiring aspect of Dr. Perrault Uptmor's work is her commitment to involving undergraduate students in cutting-edge research. At William & Mary, she leads a predominantly undergraduate research group, with some master's students, introducing them to separation science for the first time.
This integration of education and research exemplifies her dedication to nurturing the next generation of analytical chemists. By exposing students to advanced techniques like GC×GC early in their careers, she is helping to build a pipeline of skilled scientists familiar with these powerful analytical tools.
Forensic Applications: Pushing the Boundaries
During the interview, Dr. Perrault Uptmor expressed particular enthusiasm for her forensic research. "I'm always really excited about our forensic research, because I think there's just not a lot of people doing chromatographic research in the forensic space," she shared.
She highlighted the interesting dynamic between forensic practitioners, who prefer tried-and-true conventional methods, and researchers who seek novel approaches. Her current work on organic gunshot residue analysis addresses a significant challenge in forensic science: identifying gunshot residue from modern, heavy-metal-free ammunition that lacks the characteristic lead, barium, and antimony signature traditionally used for identification.
By applying GC×GC to analyze the organic components of gunshot residue, her research provides complementary data that can help forensic investigators determine whether a firearm has been discharged in an area. This work exemplifies how advanced analytical techniques can address evolving challenges in forensic science.
The Future of GC×GC: Increasing Accessibility
Throughout the interview, Dr. Perrault Uptmor emphasized the trajectory of GC×GC from a complex research technique to one that is increasingly accessible for routine analysis. "This technique is starting to become known pretty well. And so it's really at a point where we can start handing this over to people who are going to really benefit from it. With decent solid recommendations on how to use it appropriately," she noted.
Her work to simplify method development and provide clear recommendations for parameter optimization represents an important step in this evolution. By reducing the activation energy required to implement GC×GC successfully, she is helping to expand its use beyond specialized research settings and into routine analytical laboratories.
Conclusion: Bridging Research and Practice
Dr. Katelynn Perrault Uptmor's work exemplifies how researchers can bridge the gap between advanced analytical techniques and practical applications. By demystifying complex methods and making them accessible to new users, she is accelerating the adoption of powerful tools that can address real-world challenges across multiple fields.
Her commitment to education, combining research excellence with student mentorship, ensures that her impact extends beyond her own research outputs. As GC×GC continues to gain traction in forensic science, environmental analysis, petroleum characterization, and food analysis, Dr. Perrault Uptmor's contributions to method development and simplification will play a crucial role in expanding its reach and impact.
For new users interested in exploring GC×GC, her article "Detangling the Complex Web of GC×GC Method Development to Support New Users" offers a valuable roadmap to get started with this powerful analytical technique. With clear guidance and systematic approaches like those she advocates, the future of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography looks increasingly accessible for analysts across disciplines.