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

获得化学专业研究仪器项目的这一奖项后，纽约州立大学科特兰分校的Jeffrey Werner教授和他的同事Christa Chatfield、Terence Fitzgerald、Patricia Conklin和Francis Rossi将获得一台具有集成液相色谱分离(LC/MS)的线性离子陷阱质谱仪。该建议旨在加强各级的研究和教育，特别是在下列领域：(A)利用蛋白质组学时间序列分析来优化生物反应器中开放的微生物群落，以生产延长碳链的商品化学品；(B)确定可用于减少与昆虫有关的作物损害的幼虫踪迹信息素；(C)阐明与嗜肺军团菌有关的环境生物膜形成的生理机制；以及(D)确定VTC3在植物抗坏血酸调节中的作用。在一个典型的实验中，这些组分流入质谱仪，在那里它们被电离成母离子，并测量它的碎片离子及其质量。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进一步碎裂光谱仪中产生的离子来提供额外的结构识别能力。作为一所以本科为主的机构，纽约州立大学科特兰分校的教职员工将本科生的研究经验作为其研究活动最重要的成果之一。拟议的工具将在三年的项目期内直接影响至少28名学生的研究经验，并在未来几年内影响更多的学生。校园能力增强带来的额外协同效益也将增加外部资金的竞争力，进一步促进和加强本科生的研究经验。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。他们对科学研究的真实叙述将激励未来的科学家从事作为大学生可以进行的前沿研究。归根结底，这些高中联系的目标是增强进入科学和技术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.