Acquisition of A Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometer

该奖项由2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（Public Law 111-5）资助。凭借化学研究仪器和设施：多用户计划（CRIF：MU）的这一奖项，罗切斯特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，用于研究生物聚合物、常规聚合物和聚合物类材料等大分子。此次收购将用于各种研究，包括：a）血红素蛋白的构象变化和动力学研究; B）铁的不饱和反应催化复合物的探索; c）理解引起蛋白质结构和功能的分子识别原理; d）新型半导体纳米材料的物理特性研究; e）对核酸二级结构的机理研究，导致在表面上的选择性吸附; f）从序列信息快速预测RNA结构的研究; g）研究获得非挥发性配体的分子质量信息，以构建天然物质，例如apoptolidin和nakadomarin A.MALDI-TOF-质谱法是用于以极高的灵敏度获得非常大的分子的精确分子量的首选技术。因此，MALDI-TOF质谱仪的使用已成为标准技术，特别是在涉及生物分子和聚合物的研究中。这项研究将在许多领域产生重大影响，特别是化学和生物化学。该仪器将成为教学和研究的一个组成部分，包括参加夏季研究项目的本科和高中教师使用。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).With this award from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities: Multiuser program (CRIF:MU), the Chemistry Department at the University of Rochester will acquire a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometer for the study of large molecules such as biopolymers, regular polymers and polymer-like materials. The acquisition will be used in a variety of research studies including: a) the study of conformational changes and dynamics of heme proteins; b) exploration of unsaturated, reactive catalytic complexes of iron; c) understanding the principles of molecular recognition that give rise to the structure and function of proteins; d) investigations of the photophysical properties of novel semiconductor nanometer scale materials; e) mechanistic studies of the secondary structure of nucleic acids leading to selective adsorption on surfaces; f) investigations to rapidly predict RNA structure from sequence information; g) studies to obtain molecular mass information on non-volatile ligands to construct natural substances such as apoptolidin and nakadomarin A.MALDI-TOF-mass spectrometry is the technique of choice for obtaining accurate molecular weights on very large molecules, with extremely high sensitivity. Use of a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer has therefore become a standard technique, especially in studies involving biomolecules and polymers. This research will have a significant impact in a number of areas, especially chemistry and biochemistry. This instrument will be an integral part of teaching as well as research, including use by undergraduate and high school teachers who participate in summer research programs.