Ion mobility mass spectrometer for proteomics facility

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Mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical method that is used to identify and quantify compounds from a huge variety of materials, for example, identify enzymes engaged with degradation of waste in soil, or to understand how a cell can divide into two. Mass spectrometry can be used on any type of molecule that can carry a positive or negative charge and is stable in the gas phase at high vacuum. In the Proteomics Research Technology Platform at the University of Warwick we use mass spectrometry to study proteins, which we usually break into small pieces called peptides to make high throughput, large-scale analysis feasible. Proteins provide many vital functions in our bodies from making structures like collagen to working as enzymes to digest our food. In this proposal, we request a new type of mass spectrometer that can separate charged molecules (ions) by their 'shape' (really cross-collisional dimension) as well as separating ions by mass and charge, as all mass spectrometers do. This extra ability, called ion-mobility, would provide us with a very flexible and exciting instrument, ideal for measuring and quantifying peptides from liquid solutions. Ion mobility means that we would be able to distinguish between very similar peptides that have the same mass, but have, for example, a different order of amino acids, like PEPTIDE and PPEETID. This would be a great improvement over our current instrumentation, where we sometimes see evidence that we have accidently fragmented two different peptides at the same time, which makes the result (the scan) more difficult to interpret. If funded, we would prioritise time for researchers in BBSRC science areas, such as meeting challenges in Food Security, by deciphering how protein signalling helps plants defend themselves against pathogens. Or by understanding fundamental challenges in how life works, for example in discovering the molecular details of how a yeast cell divides into two using a contractile ring. We have already developed innovative tools to help teach students and explain mass spectrometry to the public. For example, our animation and "ping-pong ball mass spectrometer" are very popular at open days and can be found on youtube. If funded, we would create new tools to demonstrate ion mobility and invite you to visit us on one of our open days in 2021.