Development of Multidimensional Ion Mobility-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (IMSn-FT-ICR MSn) Tools for the Characterization of Complex Mixtures

在化学系化学测量和成像项目的支持下，以及环境化学科学和环境工程项目的部分共同资助下，佛罗里达国际大学的弗朗西斯科·费尔南德斯-利马和法赫德·赛义德的研究小组正在开发新的分析检测和处理工具，用于分析复杂混合物，重点是溶解有机物（DOM）。DOM是从陆地环境向水生生态系统输送生物可利用碳的基本来源，作为水生微生物的营养源，通过控制光穿透保护水生生物，以及作为移动金属和水生污染物的介质，DOM发挥着至关重要的生态作用。该项目使用新设计的分析协议，正在解决长期存在的DOM科学/环境问题，并为研究界提供数据资源。FIUMASS项目的推广计划旨在与当地社区学院合作，加强学生（包括理科学生）对现代分析技术的学习和接触，该团队旨在开发和整合互补的多维分析分离和数据处理工具，用于在分子结构水平上表征复杂混合物，重点是溶解有机物（DOM）。为此，正在开发一种结合串联离子迁移谱和超高分辨率傅里叶变换离子回旋共振质谱（IMSn-FT-ICR MSn）的平台，沿着数据采集、处理和可视化工具。目前正在扩大FIUMASS现有的教育和外联方案，以包括与“在分子一级跟踪环境变化”有关的课程。该计划的多层次方法集成了研讨会系列，本科和研究生水平的课程开发活动，实验室开放活动，实践MS经验，MS视觉实验和夏季实习，为代表性不足的少数民族（URM）的学生提供。与当地社区学院和URM少数民族项目在FIU协同工作，该计划旨在加强学习和接触现代MS技术，并招募URM学生进入STEM。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估来支持。

With support from the Chemical Measurement and Imaging program in the Division of Chemistry, and partial co-funding from the Environmental Chemical Sciences and the Environmental Engineering programs, the groups of Francisco Fernandez-Lima and Fahad Saeed at Florida International University are developing new analytical detection and processing tools for the analysis of complex mixtures, with a focus on dissolved organic matter (DOM). DOM is the fundamental source of bioavailable carbon transported from terrestrial environments to aquatic ecosystems and plays a crucial ecological role as a source of nutrients for aquatic microorganisms, as protection for aquatic organisms by controlling light penetration, and as a medium to mobilize metals and aquatic contaminants. Using newly devised analytical protocols, the project is addressing long-standing basic DOM science/environmental questions and providing a data resource for the research community. The project outreach program – FIUMASS - seeks to enhance learning and exposure to modern analytical techniques for students (including those underrepresented in science) in partnership with local community colleges.The team aims to develop and integrate complementary, multidimensional analytical separations and data processing tools for the characterization of complex mixtures at the molecular structural level, with a focus on dissolved organic matter (DOM). To this end, a platform combining tandem ion mobility spectrometry and ultra-high-resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (IMSn-FT-ICR MSn) is being developed, along with data acquisition, processing, and visualization tools. The existing FIUMASS educational and outreach program is being expanded to include offerings related to “Following Environmental Transformations at the Molecular Level.” The program’s multi-level approach integrates seminar series, curriculum development activities at the undergraduate and graduate level, laboratory open-house events, hands-on MS experiences, and MS visual experiments and summer internships for students from underrepresented minorities (URM). Working synergistically with local community colleges and URM minority programs at FIU, this plan seeks to enhance learning and exposure to the modern MS techniques and to recruit URM students into STEM.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.