Fundamental Investigations of Electrospray Mass Spectrometry

在化学系化学测量和成像计划的支持下，新奥尔良大学的Richard Cole教授和他的团队试图研究如何改进电喷雾(ES)质谱学，方法是在阴离子附着式电喷雾质谱仪开发的先前创新的基础上，通过详细绘制ES发射器内的电流和电位分布图，以及通过优化生物溶液中弱缔合络合物的检测。这些努力包括开发用于选择性检测特定结合位点的“区域选择性”阴离子附着物。这项研究将提供一种手段，以提高检测和识别类固醇等化合物的能力。一个相关的目的是提高对食品中单宁与唾液中蛋白质之间结合的理解；这可能提供一种新的手段来衡量潜在单宁食品添加剂的抗氧化能力的损失。推导出描述电喷雾装置内电流和电势的数学模型将促进对电喷雾电化学过程的基本理解。该项目扩大了新奥尔良大学和路易斯安那州泽维尔大学之间的现有合作伙伴关系。因此，这一努力将扩大和丰富两所大学的研究生和本科生(包括代表不足的群体的成员)的机会，特别是通过扩大对质谱学的接触。

With support from the Chemical Measurement and Imaging Program in the Division of Chemistry, Prof. Richard Cole and his group at the University of New Orleans seek to investigate ways to improve electrospray (ES) mass spectrometry by building upon previous innovations in the development of anion attachment electrospray mass spectrometry; by detailed mapping of current and potential distributions within the ES emitter; and by optimization of detection of weakly-associated complexes in biological solutions. Efforts include development of "regioselective" anion attachment for selective detection of specific binding sites. This research will provide a means to improve the ability to detect and identify compounds such as steroids. A related aim is to improve the understanding of binding like that between tannins in food and proteins in saliva; this may provide a new means to gauge the loss in antioxidant capacity of potential tannin food additives. Derivation of a mathematical model to describe electrical current and potential within the electrospray device will advance the fundamental understanding of electrochemical processes in electrospray.The project expands an existing partnership between the University of New Orleans and Xavier University of Louisiana. This endeavor will thus enlarge and enrich opportunities for graduate students and undergraduates (including members of underrepresented groups) at both institutions, specifically by widening exposure to mass spectrometry.