MRI: Track 1 Acquisition of a MALDI-TOF/TOF Mass Spectrometer for Research and Training at College of Charleston

该奖项由主要研究仪器计划和化学研究仪器计划支持。来自查尔斯顿学院的Jay Forsythe、Michael Giuliano、Brooke Van Horn、Wendy Cory和Yu Gong教授将获得一台矩阵辅助激光解吸/电离串联飞行时间（MALDI-TOF/TOF）质谱仪。质谱法是一种检测和表征样品混合物中化学物质的强大技术。具体来说，MALDI-TOF/TOF质谱法非常适合分析多种类型的分子-生物聚合物，合成聚合物/塑料，药物，染料-并提供其结构组成的基本信息。该仪器将实现新的研究方向，鼓励新的合作，并促进研究培训，不仅为查尔斯顿学院多样化的本科生和研究人员，而且为南卡罗来纳州低国家地区的学生和研究人员。该奖项有望加强整个查尔斯顿学院及其他学院的研究和教育。MALDI-TOF质谱法涉及化学物质转化为气相离子，在高真空下加速通过无场区域。然后从飞行时间获得离子质量电荷比（m/z）值。该仪器将在反射器TOF模式下提供大于10,000的分辨率（全宽度，一半最大值）和低ppm的质量精度；这些能力对各种研究项目至关重要，如药物在环境中的命运、生物相容性材料、多肽的结构、功能和进化。在TOF/TOF采集模式下，选择飞行中的离子并将其碎片化以进行结构分析。与氩气等中性气体的碰撞提高了碎裂的效率，从而提高了结构细节的水平。该奖项的影响是深远的，包括但不限于通过路易斯·斯托克斯少数民族参与联盟（LS-AMP）项目增加未被充分代表的人参与研究，通过提供现代仪器的实践培训，更好地为学生在临床、工业或研发实验室的未来职业做好准备，以及为该地区没有或有限的质谱资源的其他机构提供机会。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。

This award is supported by the Major Research Instrumentation Program and the Chemistry Research Instrumentation Program. Professors Jay Forsythe, Michael Giuliano, Brooke Van Horn, Wendy Cory, and Yu Gong from College of Charleston will acquire a matrix-assisted laser desorption / ionization – tandem time of flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF) mass spectrometer. Mass spectrometry is a powerful technique to detect and characterize chemical species in sample mixtures. Specifically, MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry is well suited for analyzing molecules of numerous types – biological polymers, synthetic polymers / plastics, pharmaceuticals, dyes – and to provide essential information on their structural composition. This instrument will enable new research directions, encourage new collaborations, and boost research training not only for a diverse undergraduate student and researcher population at the College of Charleston but also for students and researchers across the Lowcountry region of South Carolina.This award is expected to enhance research and education throughout College of Charleston and beyond. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry involves the conversion of chemical species to gas-phase ions that are accelerated through a field-free region under high vacuum. Ion mass-to-charge (m/z) values are then obtained from flight times. The instrument will provide greater than 10,000 resolving power (full width, half maximum) and low-ppm mass accuracy in reflector TOF mode; these capabilities are critical for a variety of research projects such as the fate(s) of pharmaceuticals in the environment, biocompatible materials, and the structure, function, and evolution of polypeptides. In TOF/TOF acquisition mode, ions in flight are selected and fragmented for structural analysis. Collisions with neutral gas such as argon increase the efficiency of fragmentation and, thus, the level of structural detail. Impacts of this award are far-reaching and include but are not limited to increasing participation of underrepresented persons in research through the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LS-AMP) program, better preparing students for future careers in clinical, industrial, or R&D labs by providing hands-on training with modern instrumentation, and access for other institutions in the region with no or limited mass spectrometry resources.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.