High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for interdisciplinary research

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A high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system will allow interdisciplinary research groups at UOIT to analyze and purify a range of compounds including low molecular weight signaling molecules, bacterial metabolites, peptides, oligonucleotides and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). The equipment is essential for the research programs of four research groups, and will provide opportunity for training graduate students and highly qualified research personnel within the broader UOIT research community. The Strap research group has been working to identify key signaling molecules involved in plant-microbe interactions as well as the microbial contribution to biomass turnover. This research will have a positive impact on Canadian agriculture and will aid in the development of improved cellulosic feedstock for use in biosolvent production. In addition, the Strap research group in collaboration with the Kumar research group has identified and partially purified novel, bioactive microbial compounds effective against a broad spectrum of human pathogens. The acquisition of an HPLC system is necessary to purify these compounds for structural determination. This research will significantly impact Canadian society by providing new knowledge about microbial resistance mechanisms and will allow for identification of new therapeutic targets to deal with highly resistant pathogens. The Bonetta research group aims to understand mechanisms that govern cell wall synthesis and assembly in plants. An HPLC will allow characterization of cell wall mutants through determination of oligosaccharide profiles of wall material. The insights gained from this research will be crucial to the development of cell wall derived products such as plastics, fibres, and fuels, which have the potential to improve the sustainability of Canada's natural resources and environmental quality. The Desaulniers research group is investigating the effect of novel chemical modifications on stability and efficacy of siRNA to develop therapeutic agents to treat infections. HPLC is necessary for purification of newly synthesized modified siRNAs for subsequent structure-function experiments.