Laser Ablation Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry of DNA

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This Grant for Exploratory Research is in the general area of analytical and surface chemistry and in the subfield of mass spectrometry. Professor Peter Williams of Arizona State University will study the production of molecular ion species from laser volatilization of frozen aqueous matrices of DNA. The goal is to minimize the fragmentation of the DNA and preserve the molecular weight distribution of the biological molecule. The development of a suitable means to use mass spectrometry to sequence biological molecules will result. Via the use of a novel energy deposition mechanism, both the absorptivity and the phase transformation thermodynamics of the matrix are used to preserve structure. The construction of a high resolution flight tube for time of flight mass spectrometry will allow immediate understanding of the role of laser energy deposition parameters on the minimization of fragmentation.