High Performance Analysis of Complex Organic Mixtures

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The primary focus of our research program is to design highly automated miniaturized and integrated instrumentation for the isolation of organic materials from complex matrices, as well as the subsequent separation, identification and quantification of these species. The development of new analytical separation methodology for rapid and efficient determination of organic substances in trace amounts poses a significant challenge to the contemporary analytical chemist, and has major implications not only for chemistry, but also for the biological and environmental sciences as well as medicine. Traditionally, a key component of trace methodology has been slow, labour-intensive sampling and sample preparation steps. We are actively pursuing solvent-free, “green” approaches that can integrate both sampling and sample preparation steps. This effort will lead to high throughput laboratory determination, as well as convenient field and in-vivo analysis. Long-term objective of our efforts is to move analytical chemistry "on-site", where the sample is located to facilitate low cost, rapid and accurate measurement and monitoring. We are investigating membrane, needle, and fibre configurations for this purpose. A significant, fundamental component of our research is to increase our understanding of the extraction processes by investigating primary mass transfer steps, developing mathematical models, and verifying said models by using experimental data. This approach allows us to develop convenient extraction devices, effective methods, and appropriate calibration procedures. In the next 5-year research program supported by the Discovery grant, we propose to develop a fundamental understanding of displacement phenomenon in direct SPME sampling to broaden the scope of its application to more challenging tasks, including metabolomics investigation of unstable cancer biomarkers, metabolomics investigations in microbiology, in-vivo and ex-vivo minimum invasive SPME sampling of saliva, and underwater SPME enrichment of biologically significant molecules. We will also develop an application of cold-fibre nanoparticle collection and Membrane Extraction with Sorbent Interface (MESI) for breath analysis. The other major direction of the research is to design whole column imaging detection methods for high efficiency short capillary separation techniques. The extension of the imaging work will result in the Schlieren Microscope technique, where the signal is proportional to concentration gradient rather than concentration level, which will emphasize the dynamics in the investigated living system. This approach could become a standard feature of microscopic investigation of living systems. The program will involve research collaboration whenever it assists in achieving our research objective. For example, the joint research effort with Professor Newman Sze from Nanyang Technological University from Singapore on melanoma biomarker discovery will assist our work with Professor Marcelo Cypel’s group at Toronto General Hospital, where surgeons develop unique in situ cancer treatment. Our fundamental work on underwater SPME sampling will be explored practically in collaboration with Professor Mark Servos from University of Waterloo in the Grand River ecosystem investigation, Professor Verena Tunnicliffe, from the University of Victoria in underwater discovery using remotely operated underwater vehicle, and Professor Luigi Mondello, from the University of Messina in investigation of accumulation of contaminants by large clams in Mediterranean Sea. One undergraduate, four graduate, three postdoctoral students and a research associate will be trained in the development and application of groundbreaking analytical technologies.