MRI: Acquisition of an LC-MS/MS to Enable Research and Training for Chemistry and Biology Students at SUNY Cortland

通过化学主要研究仪器项目的奖励，来自纽约州立大学科特兰分校的Jeffrey Werner教授及其同事Christa Chatfield、Terrence Fitzgerald、Patricia Conklin和Francis Rossi将获得一台集成液相色谱分离（LC/MS）的线性离子阱质谱仪。该提案旨在加强各级的研究和教育，特别是在以下领域：(a)使用蛋白质组学时间序列分析来优化生产长碳链商品化学品的生物反应器中的开放微生物群落；(b)鉴定可用于减少虫害对作物损害的幼虫踪迹信息素；(c)阐明嗜肺军团菌环境生物膜形成的生理机制；(d)确定VTC3在植物体内抗坏血酸调节中的作用。质谱（MS）是用于鉴定和表征嵌入在复杂基质中的少量化学物质的关键分析方法之一。在一个典型的实验中，这些成分流入质谱仪，在那里它们被电离成母离子和母离子的碎片离子，并测量它们的质量。这种高度灵敏的技术可以检测和确定复杂混合物中的分子结构。具有串联能力的仪器通过在光谱仪中产生的离子进一步破碎提供额外的结构识别能力。作为一个以本科生为主的机构，纽约州立大学科特兰分校的教师将本科生的研究经历作为他们研究活动最重要的成果之一。提议的仪器将直接影响至少28名学生在三年项目期间的研究经验，并在未来几年更多。校园能力增强所带来的额外协同效益，也将提高获得外部资助的竞争力，进一步促进和提高本科生的研究经历。本科生研究人员将前往高需求学区，与高中生分享他们的经验。他们对科学探究的真实叙述将激励未来的科学家们作为一个大学生可以做的前沿研究。这些高中联系的最终目标是增强进入科技领域的学生的多样性。

With this award from the Chemistry Major Research Instrumentation Program, Professor Jeffrey Werner from SUNY Cortland and colleagues Christa Chatfield, Terrence Fitzgerald, Patricia Conklin and Francis Rossi will acquire a linear ion trap mass spectrometer with integrated liquid chromatography separation (LC/MS). The proposal is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels, especially in areas such as (a) use of proteomics time series analysis to optimize open microbial communities in a bioreactor producing extended carbon chain commodity chemicals; (b) identification of larval trail pheromones that could be exploited to reduce insect-related crop damage; (c) elucidation of the physiological mechanisms of environmental biofilm formation involving Legionella pneumophila; and (d) determination of the role of VTC3 in the regulation of ascorbic acid in plants.Mass Spectrometry (MS) is one of the key analytical methods used to identify and characterize small quantities of chemical species embedded in complex matrices. In a typical experiment, the components flow into a mass spectrometer where they are ionized into the parent ion and its fragment ions and their masses are measured. This highly sensitive technique allows detection and determination of the structure of molecules in a complex mixture. An instrument with tandem capability provides additional structural identification power through further fragmentation of ions produced in the spectrometer. As a primarily undergraduate institution, SUNY Cortland's faculty embraces undergraduate research experiences as one of the most important outcomes of their research activities. The proposed instrument will directly impact the research experiences of at least 28 students within the three-year project period, and many more in years to come. The added synergistic benefit of enhanced capabilities on campus will also increase competitiveness for external funding, further facilitating and enhancing undergraduate research experiences. Undergraduate researchers will travel to high-needs school districts to share their experiences with high school students. Their authentic narratives of scientific inquiry will inspire future scientists as to the leading-edge research one can do as a college student. Ultimately, the goal of these high school connections is to enhance the diversity of students entering science and technology fields.