MRI: Acquisition of a Liquid-Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS) for Research and Training at Grand Valley State University

该奖项由主要研究仪器项目和化学研究仪器项目支持。大谷州立大学的劳拉·霍克教授及其同事香农·比罗斯、安德鲁·兰茨、保罗·库克和达莉拉·科瓦奇正在购买一台紧凑型液体色谱仪质谱仪(LCMS)，该仪器只有一个四极杆质量分析器。该质谱仪配备了一系列电离源，如电喷雾电离(ESI)、大气压化学电离/大气固体分析探头(APCI/ASAP)以及薄层色谱(TLC)平板阅读器。通常，质谱仪是用于识别和表征复杂样品中的少量化学物种的关键分析方法之一。在一个典型的实验中，这些成分被加热并流入质谱仪，在那里它们被电离。离子的质量测量得非常准确。这种高度灵敏的技术使研究复杂混合物中的分子结构成为可能。带有液体色谱仪的仪器可以在混合物到达质谱计之前将其分离。各种电离源为所分析的样品类型提供了额外的灵活性。此次收购加强了该大学和该地区的研究基础设施。该仪器通过让不同的学生群体参与研究和使用这种现代分析技术进行研究培训，扩大了参与度。这一工具的获得支持了许多女性和代表性不足的调查人员。它还为本科生提供培训机会，其中许多是第一代学生。该乐器为学生提供了使用重要乐器的经验，这些乐器是他们在职业生涯中随身携带的。该质谱计的获奖旨在加强各级的研究和教育。它尤其影响对有益的淀粉样蛋白的研究，淀粉样蛋白是折叠成各种形状的蛋白质的聚集体。该仪器用于评估内在无序区域在蛋白质结构和功能中的作用，以及用于分离稀土(F)元素等关键元素的配体的发展。质谱仪被用于研究使细菌中的抗生素失活的酶，并用于开发用于电池的有机流动电池电解液。该仪器还服务于研究生物质转化为商品化学品的研究人员和寻找蛋白质粘着斑激酶靶标的研究人员。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This award is supported by the Major Research Instrumentation and the Chemistry Research Instrumentation Programs. Professor Laura Hawk from Grand Valley State University and colleagues Shannon Biros, Andrew Lantz, Paul Cook and Dalila Kovacs are acquiring a compact a liquid-chromatograph mass-spectrometer (LCMS) having a single quadrupole mass analyzer. The mass spectrometer is equipped with a series of ionization sources such as electrospray ionization (ESI), an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/atmospheric solid analysis probe (APCI/ASAP), as well as a thin layer chromatography (TLC) plate reader. 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 samples. In a typical experiment, the components are heated and flow into a mass spectrometer where they are ionized. The ions' masses are measured very accurately. This highly sensitive technique allows the structure of molecules in complex mixtures to be studied. An instrument with a liquid chromatograph can separate mixtures of compounds before they reach the mass spectrometer. The various ionization sources provide added flexibility with regard to the types of samples that are analyzed. The acquisition strengthens the research infrastructure at the University and regional area. The instrument broadens participation by involving diverse groups of students in research and research training using this modern analytical technique. This instrument acquisition supports many female and underrepresented investigators. It also provides training opportunities to undergraduate students, many of whom are first-generation students. The instrument gives students experience using vital instrumentation that they carry with them into their careers. The award of this mass spectrometer is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels. It especially impacts studies of beneficial amyloids which are aggregates of proteins that become folded into various shapes. The instrument is used to evaluate the role of intrinsically-disordered regions in protein structure and function as well as the development of ligands for the separation of critical elements such as rare earth (f) elements. The mass spectrometer is employed in studies of enzymes that inactivate antibiotics in bacteria and for the development of organic flow cell electrolytes for batteries. The instrument also serves researchers investigating the conversion of biomass into commodity chemicals and those looking for targets of the protein focal adhesion kinase.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.