Acquisition of an Electrospray Mass Spectrometer

田纳西大学寻求支持，通过增加一个三重四极电喷雾(ES)液相色谱(LC)/MS系统来扩大化学质谱学(MS)中心。ES对于更广泛的应用是必要的，特别是那些涉及生化系统特性的应用。该仪器还将用于溶剂化作用和其他影响ES灵敏度的化学因素的基础研究，并用于研究可溶聚合物尺寸选择毛细管电泳法的机理。由于ES谱的特征是多次充电，所提出的4,000质量/电荷(m/z)范围对应于远远超过105的实际质量范围。鉴于ES的特殊优势(包括亚毫微摩尔敏感度)，这比目前的名义能力增加了几个数量级，实际改进了两个数量级。该系统将适应广泛的色谱溶剂和流速，便于在微尺度和常规分析分离方面的工作。该仪器的串联MS功能将提供对所有分析物化合物的结构洞察，即使是对未溶解或部分溶解的混合物的个别组分。

The University of Tennessee seeks support to expand the Chemistry Mass Spectrometry (MS) Center by adding a triple quadrupole electrospray (ES) liquid chromatography (LC)/MS system. ES is needed for expanded applications, particularly those involving characterization of biochemical systems. The instrumentation will also be used for fundamental studies of solvation and other chemical factors affecting ES sensitivity; and for investigation of the mechanism of soluble polymer size-selective capillary electrophoresis. Since ES spectra are characterized by multiple charging, the proposed 4,000 mass-to-charge (m/z) range corresponds to a practical mass range well in excess of 105. This constitutes an order-of-magnitude increase relative to current nominal capabilities, and a two order of magnitude practical improvement, in light of the special strengths (including sub-femtomole sensitivity) of ES. The system will accommodate a wide range of chromatographic solvents and flow rates, facilitating work in microscale and conventional analytical separations. The tandem MS capabilities of the instrument will provide structural insight across the full range of analyte compounds, even for individual components of unresolved or partially resolved mixtures.