With his extensive experience in industry, Ferguson will strengthen in particular the focus on pharma and biotech within the HIMS research theme of Analytical Chemistry. The special focus of his chair towards sustainability aligns well with the Research Priority Area Sustainable Chemistry, a key endeavour of the institute.

Reducing chemicals, solvents and energy use

Development and production of active pharmaceutical ingredients requires an immense number of analytical measurements. Testing their safety and efficacy, and optimizing and monitoring their production involves great amounts of chemicals, solvents, and energy, while producing considerable amounts of waste. These environmental burdens can be reduced along various lines, such as performing fewer, faster, and smaller miniaturized) analyses; minimizing or eliminating sample (pre-) treatment; and developing and implementing new analytical tools that are inherently more sustainable. 

With his chair in Sustainable Analytical Science, Ferguson hopes to progress sustainable analytical research in several areas, one of which is the development of in-silico modelling approaches that will minimise experimentation and thus reduce waste. Another is broadening the application of supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) which is a more benign technique than liquid chromatography, the current separation workhorse in many analytical applications. An important application area is the analysis of PFAS compounds (per fluorinated alkyl substances) that are currently under scrutiny from EU legislators. 

Ferguson’s contribution of ‘big pharma’ to the HIMS research theme of Analytical Chemistry will strengthen the unique position of the UvA analytical scientists. This also goes in a broader perspective for the cooperation with colleagues at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in CASA, the Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam. 

Real-world analytical challenges

Regarding education in the analytical sciences, Ferguson’s expertise in pharmaceutical analysis will improve the BSc and MSc teaching curricula in this field. He will also draw on a wider group of pharma colleagues to contribute with ‘real-world’ analytical challenges which are encountered during drug discovery and development, thus enriching the subject of analytical chemistry in the UvA/VU joint-degree chemistry programmes. 
 

See also

•    Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences
•    Research Priority Area Sustainable Chemistry
•    Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam (CASA)
•    Bèta Plus foundation (in Dutch)