MRI: Acquisition of a High-Resolution Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Tandem Mass Spectrometer for Advancing Research and Education at the University of Maryland College Park

该奖项由主要研究仪器和化学研究仪器计划支持。来自马里兰州大学帕克分校的Peter Nemes教授及其同事丹尼尔·法尔维、莱尔·艾萨克斯、丽莎·塔尼希尔和斯科特·容蒂正在获得一种具有电喷雾电离能力的高分辨率高压液相色谱质谱仪（HR-HPLC-ESI-MS）。 一般来说，质谱（MS）是用于识别和表征复杂样品中嵌入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，成分流入质谱仪，在那里它们被电离成离子，并测量离子的质量。这种高灵敏度的技术可以研究复杂混合物中的分子结构。带有液相色谱仪的仪器可以在化合物到达质谱仪之前将其分离。在电喷雾技术中，将高电压施加到液体以产生气溶胶。该电压可用于通过避免大分子在电离时碎裂的倾向而从大分子产生离子。此次收购加强了大学和地区的研究基础设施。该工具通过利用这一现代分析技术使不同群体的学生参与研究和研究培训，扩大了参与。此次收购还为该机构的许多本科生和研究生以及博士后研究员提供了培训机会。在共享的质谱设施中测量小生物和有机分子的新能力通过研讨会以及课程现代化和与鲍伊州立大学的合作对哥伦比亚-马里兰-弗吉尼亚地区的科学家和学生产生了广泛的影响。授予质谱仪的目的是加强各级的研究和教育。它特别影响胚胎发育的代谢效应物和神经系统功能中的激素代谢物活性的研究。该仪器还用于研究肝脏中的线粒体代谢以及神经嵴和牙基板细胞中的分子机制。此外，MS提供了有用的信息，用于搜索下一代酶动力学同位素效应，并为研究粘合剂的含缬氨酸的蛋白质（VCP），分离蛋白质分子从大的细胞结构。质谱仪也被用来通知分子客体化合物的有效合成的设计。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值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 Peter Nemes from the University of Maryland College Park and colleagues Daniel Falvey, Lyle Isaacs, Lisa Taneyhill and Scott Juntti are acquiring a high-resolution, high-pressure liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization capabilities (HR-HPLC-ESI-MS). 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 flow into a mass spectrometer where they are ionized into ions and the ions' masses are measured. 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. In the electrospray technique a high voltage is applied to a liquid to create an aerosol. This voltage is useful to produce ions from large molecules by avoiding the propensity of macromolecules to fragment when ionized. 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. The acquisition also provides training opportunities to many undergraduate and graduate students as well as postdoctoral fellows at this institution. The new capability to measure both small biological and organic molecules in a shared Mass Spectrometry Facility has a broad impact on scientists and students in the District of Columbia-Maryland-Virginia region through workshops as well as curriculum modernization and collaborations with Bowie State University. The award of the mass spectrometer is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels. It especially impacts studies of metabolic effectors of embryonic development and hormone metabolite activity in nervous system functions. The instrumentation is also used for research on mitochondrial metabolism in the liver as well as molecular mechanisms in neural crest and dental placode cells. In addition, the MS provides information useful for the search of the next generation enzymatic kinetic isotope effects and for studying binders for the valosine-containing protein (VCP) that segregate protein molecules from large cellular structures. The mass spectrometer is also used to inform the design of efficient syntheses for molecular guest compounds. It is also utilized in investigations of electrophilic nitrogen containing species and their reactivity with proteins and nucleic acids.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.