Purchase of a Tandem Mass Spectrometer for Research in Chemistry

化学研究仪器和设施(CRIF)计划和多学科活动办公室(OMA)颁发的这一奖项将帮助犹他大学化学系获得串联质谱仪。该设备将加强以下领域的研究：(1)通过编码组合合成与RNA结合的聚酰胺；(2)基于2‘-脱氧核苷的含磷分子；(3)与RNA结合的蛋白质和多肽的分析；(4)金属酶MutY对DNA错配的识别和修复；以及DNA和RNA结构中鸟嘌呤的氧化烷基化和降解。质谱仪(MS)是一种用于探测大量有机、生物有机和有机金属分子的内部结构细节和获得其分子组成的技术。电喷雾技术的加入将MS的范围扩展到蛋白质和核酸的相对分子质量，远远超过了任何其他技术。电喷雾电离与高分辨率相结合的使用提供了质谱学中可用的最新技术。它为化学家提供了表征化合物的最强大的工具之一。在质谱学中获得这种能力对于开展许多化学领域的前沿研究是至关重要的。

This award from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) Program and the Office of Multidisciplinary Activities (OMA) will assist the Department of Chemistry at University of Utah to acquire a tandem mass spectrometer. This equipment will enhance research in a number of areas including the following: (1) RNA-binding polyamides via encoded combinatorial synthesis, (2) phosphorus-containing molecules based on 2'-deoxynucleosides, (3) analysis of RNA-binding proteins and peptides, (4) DNA mismatch recognition and repair by metalloenzyme MutY, and oxidative alkylation and degradation of guanine in DNA and RNA structures. Mass spectrometry (MS) is a technique used to probe intimate structural details and to obtain the molecular compositions of a vast array of organic, bioorganic, and organometallic molecules. The addition of the technique of electrospray extends the range of MS to proteins and nucleic acid molecular weights far beyond any other technique. The use of electrospray ionization in combination with high resolution provides the latest techniques available in mass spectrometry. It affords the chemist one of the most powerful tools available for the characterization of compounds. The acquisition of this capability in mass spectrometry is essential for the prosecution of frontier research in many fields of chemistry.