Exploring Switzerland's excellence in analytical science and the groundbreaking research presented at ANAKON 2011
Imagine being able to detect a single harmful molecule in a swimming pool of water, identify thousands of proteins from a tiny blood droplet, or map the chemical composition of a single cell. This isn't science fiction—it's the fascinating world of analytical science.
This field is dedicated to gathering chemical information that helps solve some of humanity's greatest challenges. In Switzerland, this discipline thrives at the intersection of cutting-edge research and practical application, supported by world-class academic institutions and a vibrant pharmaceutical industry.
The ANAKON 2011 conference, held at ETH Zürich, showcased this excellence, bringing together over 500 scientists to share breakthroughs that are quietly reshaping medicine, environmental protection, and fundamental research 1 .
Identifying substances at incredibly low concentrations with precision instruments.
Uncovering the composition of complex mixtures in environmental and biological samples.
At its core, analytical science focuses on obtaining both quantitative and qualitative information at the elemental or molecular level 1 . Think of it as a form of "chemical detective work"—where the clues are molecules, and the detectives are scientists using sophisticated instruments to uncover their secrets.
The second optimizes and applies commercially available instruments to support critical research in environmental studies, biology, and medicine—particularly in the booming "omics" fields like proteomics and metabolomics that aim to understand all the molecules in living systems 1 .
As analytical tools become more powerful, affordable, and user-friendly, they've increasingly become commodities. However, this accessibility comes with a challenge: significantly more training is required to use these sophisticated tools effectively.
There's also a growing concern about maintaining independent fundamental research capabilities beyond what commercial instrument manufacturers develop. Without such academic research, scientists risk becoming dependent on commercially driven innovations rather than pursuing questions driven purely by scientific curiosity 1 .
Switzerland's strength in analytical science stems from its collaborative network of institutions, each bringing unique capabilities to the table. The landscape includes Universities of Applied Sciences (in Eastern Switzerland, Northwestern Switzerland, Sion, and Zürich), cantonal Universities (Bern, Fribourg, Genève, Neuchâtel, Lausanne, and Zürich), and the prestigious Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology in Lausanne and Zürich 1 .
This multi-layered approach combines theoretical research with practical application, creating an environment where fundamental discoveries can quickly transition to real-world solutions. The country's strong chemical and pharmaceutical industry provides additional momentum, with many scientists relying on analytical techniques in their daily work, even if their high-quality research doesn't always result in published papers 1 .
ETH Zürich, EPF Lausanne
Focus: Fundamental research, instrument development
Universities of Bern, Geneva, Zurich
Focus: Interdisciplinary applications, method development
Eastern Switzerland, Northwestern Switzerland
Focus: Practical applications, industry collaboration
Among the many analytical tools available, mass spectrometry has emerged as a particularly powerful technique widely available across Swiss institutions 1 . This technology acts as a "molecular weighing scale" that can identify substances with incredible precision by measuring the mass of molecules and their fragments.
Its applications range from detecting environmental pollutants to identifying unknown substances in forensic investigations and understanding disease mechanisms.
In 2011, Switzerland had the honor of hosting ANAKON for the first time, on the Hönggerberg campus of ETH Zürich 1 . Organized by the German, Swiss, and Austrian Chemical Societies, this event stands as one of Europe's largest and most important meetings in analytical science and related fields.
The conference was a resounding success, attracting over 500 scientists and featuring more than 20 companies exhibiting their latest products and services 1 .
Scientists Attended
Exhibiting Companies
Time in Switzerland
The conference program was "packed with state-of-the-art research and development" across numerous specialized sessions 1 . These included:
To understand how analytical scientists work, let's examine a hypothetical but representative experiment inspired by research presented at ANAKON 2011. Imagine the challenge of detecting and identifying trace levels of pharmaceutical pollutants in a river system.
These substances, though present at extremely low concentrations, can potentially impact aquatic life and human health. Traditional methods might miss these compounds or require time-consuming sample collection and laboratory analysis.
Researchers collect water samples from multiple points along a river—upstream and downstream from urban areas and water treatment plants.
The water samples are carefully filtered to remove solid particles, then concentrated using solid-phase extraction cartridges that capture the molecules of interest while excluding interfering substances.
The concentrated sample is introduced into a liquid chromatograph, which separates the complex mixture into individual components based on how quickly they move through a specialized column.
The separated compounds then enter a mass spectrometer, which ionizes the molecules and measures their precise mass, creating unique "molecular fingerprints" that identify each substance.
Sophisticated software compares the results against databases of known compounds and helps interpret the data to both identify known pharmaceuticals and potentially discover unexpected pollutants.
| Reagent/Material | Function in Analysis |
|---|---|
| Solid-phase extraction cartridges | Concentrate target molecules from water samples while removing interfering substances |
| Chromatography solvents | Carry samples through separation columns and create conditions for optimal compound separation |
| Ionization reagents | Help convert analyte molecules into charged ions for mass spectrometry analysis |
| Reference standards | Provide known compounds for comparison to identify and quantify unknown substances |
The results of such experiments can be both quantitative (exactly how much of each pharmaceutical is present) and qualitative (identifying exactly which compounds are in the sample). For instance, a researcher might find that concentrations of certain medications increase significantly downstream from wastewater treatment plants, providing crucial data for environmental regulation and water treatment optimization.
| Pharmaceutical Compound | Upstream Concentration (ng/L) | Downstream Concentration (ng/L) |
|---|---|---|
| Carbamazepine | 5.2 | 48.7 |
| Diclofenac | 12.6 | 105.3 |
| Ethinylestradiol | <0.5 | 8.9 |
| Metoprolol | 7.8 | 65.4 |
The future of analytical science lies in its continued evolution as a multidisciplinary field. Progress now requires expertise spanning chemistry, physics, biology, and informatics 1 .
The massive datasets generated by modern instruments demand sophisticated computational tools and artificial intelligence to extract meaningful patterns and transform raw data into actionable knowledge.
Perhaps most importantly, innovative public-funded research in analytical science does more than drive technological progress—it also provides high-level education for the next generation of young scientists 1 .
As the field continues to evolve, these students will become the innovators developing solutions to challenges we haven't yet imagined.
Analytical science education creates experts who can bridge the gap between fundamental research and practical applications, ensuring continued innovation in fields ranging from medicine to environmental protection.
Analytical science may operate behind the scenes, but its impact touches nearly every aspect of modern life. From ensuring the safety of our drinking water and the efficacy of medications to unlocking the mysteries of biological systems, this field provides the essential data that drives decision-making across science and society.
The vibrant research community in Switzerland, exemplified by the groundbreaking work presented at ANAKON 2011, continues to push the boundaries of what we can measure, understand, and ultimately achieve. The next time you hear about a medical breakthrough or environmental protection measure, remember the "invisible detectives" of analytical science who provided the crucial evidence that made it possible.