MRI: Acquisition of a MALDI TOF/TOF Mass Spectrometer with Imaging Capabilities to Advance Research and Education at Carnegie Mellon University

该奖项由主要研究仪器和化学研究仪器计划支持。卡内基梅隆大学正在购买一台基质辅助激光解吸/电离串联飞行时间（MALDI-TOF-TOF）质谱仪，以支持Mark Bier教授及其同事。一般来说，质谱（MS）是用于识别和表征复杂样品中少量化学物质的关键分析方法之一。MALDI TOF结合了温和的离子化（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质的完整离子）和检测模式，在广泛的质量范围内提供灵敏度和准确度之间的出色平衡。这种高灵敏度的技术可以识别和确定复杂混合物中分子的结构。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这种现代分析技术来扩大参与。它也被匹兹堡大学和其他区域机构的合作者以及工业用户使用。MALDI-TOF-TOF质谱仪还被奥克兰规划与发展公司学校的本科生和研究生以及针对低收入少数民族学生的暑期项目所采用。授予具有成像功能的MALDI-TOF-TOF质谱仪旨在加强各级研究和教育。它特别适用于研究开发基于蛋白质和核酸的分子的递送系统，这些分子具有用作药物的潜力，并用于改善原子转移自由基聚合（ATRP）。 该仪器还用于监测原子级精确的金和金基合金纳米团簇以及脂质过氧化和氧化应激的研究。该仪器还为研究人员提供核酸原位成像以及开发用于研究RNA-RNA和RNA-蛋白质相互作用的潜在治疗方法的工具，因为它们与辉瑞/BioNTech和Moderna的脂质纳米颗粒mRNA治疗方法有关，FDA已授予EUA（紧急使用授权）用于SARS-CoV-2疫苗。该质谱仪还用于手性γ肽核酸（PNAs）的设计和开发以及其他修饰核酸的研究。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. Carnegie Mellon University is acquiring a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF-TOF) mass spectrometer to support Professor Mark Bier and colleagues. In general, mass spectrometry (MS) is one of the key analytical methods used to identify and characterize small quantities of chemical species in complex samples. 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. 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 with this modern analytical technique. It is also used by collaborators at the University of Pittsburgh and other regional institutions as well as industrial users. The MALDI-TOF-TOF is also employed by undergraduate and graduate students and in a summer program targeting low-income minority students from Oakland Planning and Development Corporation School.The award of the MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometer with imaging capabilities is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels. It is especially useful for studies in the development of delivery systems for protein and nucleic acid-based molecules with potential to serve as drugs and for improving atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The instrumentation is also used for monitoring atomically precise gold and gold-based alloy nanoclusters and studies of lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress. The instrument also serves researchers imaging nucleic acids in situ and those developing tools for studying RNA-RNA and RNA-protein interactions for potential therapeutics since they are related to lipid nanoparticle mRNA therapeutics from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna that have been afforded EUA (emergency use authorization) by the FDA for use as SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. The mass spectrometer is also utilized in the design and development of chiral gamma peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) as well as in other studies of modified 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.