MRI: Acquisition of a MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometer

波士顿大学（BU）的Mark Grinstaff教授将获得一台微型maldi - tof质谱仪（micro-MALDI-TOF），该质谱仪是由化学研究仪器和设施（CRIF）项目共同资助的化学主要研究仪器项目授予的。该建议旨在加强各级的研究和教育，特别是在以下领域：(a)二血红素细胞色素c过氧化物酶的电化学；(b)抑制致病性生物膜的抑菌涂层；(c)多芳烃（PAH）带的合成和反应性；(d)纳米粒子功能化策略的改进；(e)蛋白质相互作用的抑制剂和激活剂的研究。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。剑桥大学查尔斯河校区目前的质谱分析能力存在一个严重的缺口，因为那里没有支持生命过程、化学和纳米技术化学研究所需的那种仪器。查尔斯河校区的新仪器将直接影响和加强40多名研究生，10名本科生和10名博士后研究人员的项目。这台新仪器将提供给波士顿大学的其他科学家和教育工作者，以及与波士顿大学合作推进教育和研究的伊曼纽尔学院等外部机构。

With this award from the Chemistry Major Research Instrumentation Program that is co-funded by the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) Program, Professor Mark Grinstaff from Boston University (BU) will acquire a micro-MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer (micro-MALDI-TOF). The proposal is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels, especially in areas such as (a) electrochemistry of diheme cytochrome c peroxidases; (b) bacteriophobic coatings for inhibition of pathogenic biofilms; (c) synthesis and reactivity of polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) belts; (d) improvement of nanoparticle functionalization strategies; and (e) studies of inhibitors and activators of protein-protein interactions.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. A critical gap exists in the current mass spectrometric capabilities on the BU Charles River Campus because there is no instrument of the type needed to support chemical research in the life processes, chemistry and nanotechnology. The new instrument on the Charles River Campus would directly and immediately impact and enhance the projects of more than 40 graduate, 10 undergraduate, and 10 post-doctoral researchers. The new instrument would be available to other scientists and educators at BU, as well as outside institutions such as Emmanuel College, with whom BU has partnered in advancing education and research.