MRI: Acquisition of a Mass Spectrometer System for Undergraduate Research at the University of St. Thomas and Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities

圣托马斯大学（UST）将获得离子阱液相色谱仪（离子阱LC-MS）系统，该系统来自主要研究仪器项目。该仪器将使双城联合学院（UST， Macalester学院，Augsburg学院和Hamline大学）的研究人员能够研究：i)新型光致变色化合物，同位素标记药物和新抗生素的合成；Ii)新型环烷和过渡金属介导的大环和笼形配合物的合成和表征；Iii .)天然水体中抗生素的光降解产物；Iv)使用微透析探针监测大气气溶胶和系统的化学性质。其他高级人员将利用该仪器进行材料化学、有机合成、法医化学、药物化学、神经科学和植物生理学等方面的研究。质谱是化学家用来识别和表征材料和化学物质的标准工具，通过精确测量它们在仪器中蒸发和电离时的质量和破碎模式。液相色谱是一种分离技术，在引入质谱仪之前将复杂的混合物分离成单独的成分。这些资料将由本科生在研究项目中实际使用。学生也将在实验课的教学中学习分析技术。

The University of St. Thomas (UST) will acquire an ion trap liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer (ion trap LC-MS) system with this award from the Major Research Instrumentation program. The instrument will enable researchers at the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (UST, Macalester College, Augsburg College, and Hamline University) to study: i.) the synthesis of novel photochromic compounds, isotopically-labeled drugs, and new antibiotics; ii.) the synthesis and characterization of novel cyclophanes and transition metal-mediated macrocyclic and cage complexes; iii.) photodegradation products of antibiotics in natural waters; iv.) the chemistry of atmospheric aerosols and systems being monitored using microdialysis probes. Other senior personnel will utilize the instrument for research in materials chemistry, organic synthesis, forensic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, neuroscience, and plant physiology.Mass spectroscopy is a standard tool used by chemists to identify and characterize materials and chemical species by accurate measurement of their mass and fragmentation patterns as they are vaporized and ionized in the instrument. Liquid chromatography is an isolation technique that separates a complex mixture into individual components before introduction to the mass spectrometer. This acquisition will be used hands-on by undergraduate students in research projects. Students will also be introduced to the analysis technique in laboratory course instruction.