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项目和化学研究仪器项目支持。马里兰大学帕克分校的Peter Nemes教授和他的同事Daniel Falvey、Lyle Isaacs、Lisa TaneyHill和Scott Juntti正在获得一台具有电喷雾电离能力的高分辨率高压液体色谱质谱计(HR-HPLC-ESI-MS)。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。在电喷雾技术中，高压被施加到液体上以产生气雾剂。这种电压有助于从大分子中产生离子，因为它避免了大分子在电离时发生碎裂的倾向。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。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。通过研讨会和课程现代化以及与鲍伊州立大学的合作，在共享质谱分析设备中测量生物和有机小分子的新能力对哥伦比亚特区-马里兰州-弗吉尼亚州地区的科学家和学生产生了广泛影响。质谱仪的获奖旨在加强各级的研究和教育。它尤其影响胚胎发育的代谢效应因子和神经系统功能中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新陈代谢，以及神经脊和牙齿胎盘细胞的分子机制。此外，MS还为寻找下一代酶动力学同位素效应和研究将蛋白质分子从大细胞结构中分离出来的含有Valosine的蛋白质(VCP)的结合剂提供了有用的信息。该质谱仪还可用于设计有效的分子客体化合物的合成方法。这个奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，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，被认为是值得支持的。

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.