Computerized design of separation strategies by reversed-phase liquid chromatography: development of DryLab software

The development of DryLab software is a special achievement in analytical HPLC which took place in the last 16 years. This paper tries to collect some of the historical mile stones and concepts. DryLab, being always subject to change according to the needs of the user, never stopped being developed. Under the influence of an ever changing science market, the DryLab development team had to consider not just scientific improvements, but also new technological achievements, such as the introduction of Windows 1.0 and 3.1, and later Windows NT and 2000. The recent availability of new 32-bit programming tools allowed calculations of chromatograms to be completed more quickly so as to show peak movements which result for example from slight changes in eluent pH. DryLab is a great success of interdisciplinary and intercontinental cooperation by many scientists.