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Francisco Fernandez-Lima和Fahad Saeed团队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来源、通过控制光线穿透来保护水生生物、作为调动金属和水生污染物的媒介，具有至关重要的生态作用。使用新设计的分析协议，该项目正在解决长期存在的基本DOM科学/环境问题，并为研究界提供数据资源。该项目外展计划- FIUMASS -旨在与当地社区学院合作，加强学生（包括那些在科学领域代表性不足的学生）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，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，正在开发一个结合串联离子迁移谱法和超高分辨率傅立叶变换离子回旋共振质谱法（IMSn-FT-ICR MSn）的平台，以及数据采集、处理和可视化工具。现有的FIUMASS教育和推广计划正在扩大，包括与“在分子水平上跟踪环境变化”相关的课程。该计划的多层次方法整合了系列研讨会，本科和研究生水平的课程开发活动，实验室开放日活动，动手MS体验，MS视觉实验和面向少数族裔（URM）学生的暑期实习。该计划与当地社区学院和纽约理工大学的少数族裔项目协同合作，旨在加强对现代MS技术的学习和接触，并招募纽约理工大学的学生进入STEM领域。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，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。

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.