MRI: Acquisition of a MALDI/FT-ICR mass spectrometer for multidisciplinary research

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With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, the Department of Chemistry at Bowdoin College will acquire a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometer equipped with external matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) and electron ionization (EI) sources. Faculty at Bowdoin College, Bates College and the University of Southern Maine will have access to this equipment, which will enhance research in a number of areas including a) studies of gas-phase ion-molecule reactions; b) identification of biological, polymeric, and organometallic synthetic targets; and c) characterization of samples that include neurons from marine invertebrates, plant pigment extracts, soil samples, and oil residues from archaeological collections. 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. This instrument will serve as a vehicle to educate students and faculty about the new technologies of MALDI and FT-ICR mass spectrometry. In addition, because this instrumental technique is well suited for the analysis of a wide range of samples, the FT-ICR will catalyze new approaches to research and new research activities in disciplines such as neuroscience, ecology, biology, environmental studies and archaeology.