Purchase of a MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometer for Research and Education

在化学研究仪器和设施（CRIF）计划的支持下，丹佛大学化学系将获得一台基质辅助激光解吸电离-飞行时间（MALDI-TOF）质谱仪。该仪器将用于各种各样的研究项目，包括a）负责正确/不正确的蛋白质折叠的结构和热力学性质; B）卤素导致市政水过滤系统中使用的聚酰胺膜降解的机制; c）分子支架的光裂解;和d）参与脑对疼痛和应激的控制的镇痛神经肽激素的翻译后加工和修饰。 基质辅助激光解吸电离（MALDI）飞行时间（TOF）质谱是获得高达和超过300，000道尔顿的分子的精确分子量的首选技术，具有极高的灵敏度。因此，MALDI-TOF质谱仪的使用已成为涉及生物分子的研究中的标准技术。 在丹佛大学，这种仪器不仅将被研究生用于他们的研究，而且还将被本科生用于实验室课程，学生与教授在项目导向的团队中合作，进行涉及蛋白质和其他大分子的纯化和表征的实验。

With support from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) Program, the Department of Chemistry at the University of Denver will acquire a Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption Ionization - Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometer. This instrument will be used in a wide variety of research projects, including a) structural and thermodynamic properties responsible for the proper/improper protein folding; b) the mechanisms by which halogens cause degradation of polyamide membranes used in municipal water filtration systems; c) photocleavage of molecular scaffolds; and d) posttranslational processing and modification of analgesic neuropeptide hormones involved in the management of pain and stress by the brain. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry is the technique of choice for obtaining accurate molecular weights on molecules up to and over 300,000 daltons, with extremely high sensitivity. Use of a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer has therefore become a standard technique in studies involving biomolecules. At the University of Denver, this instrument will be used not only by graduate students in their research but also by undergraduates in laboratory courses where students work with professors in project-oriented teams that conduct experiments involve the purification and characterization of proteins and other macromolecules.