MRI: Acquisition of a MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometer at Fairfield University

在主要研究仪器计划（MRI）的奖励和化学研究仪器计划（CRIF）的支持下，费尔菲尔德大学的Jillian Smith-Carpenter教授和他的同事Matthew Kubasik、John Miecznikowski、Aaron Van Dyke和Catherine Andersen获得了一个矩阵辅助激光解吸/电离飞行时间质谱仪（MALDI-TOF质谱仪）。一般来说，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。激光撞击嵌入样品的惰性基质，使样品汽化和电离。离子进入质谱仪，在质谱仪中测量母离子及其碎片离子的质量。在飞行时间仪器中，离子被电场加速，以便进一步表征。MALDI TOF结合了温和的电离（非常适合产生肽，蛋白质，核酸，碳水化合物，合成聚合物和其他类似大小的物种的完整离子）与检测模式，在广泛的质量范围内提供了灵敏度和准确性之间的良好平衡。碰撞引起的离解促进了分子离子在气相中的破碎。这种高度敏感的技术可以识别和确定复杂混合物中的分子结构。此次收购加强了大学和地区的研究基础设施。该仪器通过让不同的学生参与使用这种现代分析技术的研究和研究培训，扩大了参与范围，并与布里奇波特大学和康涅狄格州西南部的许多实验室的学生共享。该奖项旨在加强各级的研究和教育，特别是在以下领域：(a)获得二硫交联肽低聚物和聚集体的聚合物分布；(b)探索蛋白质标记的小分子策略；(c)了解高密度脂蛋白在调节免疫活性中的作用；(d)发展α二烷基化氨基酸的固相肽合成和(e)发展水过渡金属催化剂。

With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) and support from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation Program (CRIF), Professor Jillian Smith-Carpenter from Fairfield University and colleagues Matthew Kubasik, John Miecznikowski, Aaron Van Dyke and Catherine Andersen have acquired a matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer). In general, mass spectrometry (MS) is one of the key analytical methods used to identify and characterize small quantities of chemical species embedded in complex matrices. A laser impinging on the inert matrix embedded with the sample, vaporizes and ionizes the sample. The ions pass into the mass spectrometer where the masses of the parent ion and its fragment ions are measured. In a time-of-flight instrument the ions are accelerated by an electric field to allow further characterization. MALDI TOF combines gentle ionization (ideal for producing intact ions of peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, synthetic polymers, and other similarly sized species) with a detection mode that offers an excellent balance between sensitivity and accuracy across a wide mass range. The collision-induced dissociation facilitates fragmentation of molecular ions in the gas phase. This highly sensitive technique allows identification and determination of the structure of molecules in a complex mixture. The acquisition strengthens the research infrastructure at the University and regional area. The instrument broadens participation by involving diverse students in research and research training with this modern analytical technique and is shared with students at the University of Bridgeport and numerous laboratories in Southwestern Connecticut. The award is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels, especially in areas such as (a) obtaining the polymeric distribution of disulfide cross-linked peptide oligomers and aggregates; (b) exploring small molecule strategies for protein labeling; (c) understanding the role of high-density lipoproteins in the regulation of immune activity; (d) developing solid-phase peptide synthesis of alpha,alpha-dialkylated amino acids and (e) developing aqueous transition metal catalysts.