Purchase of a Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Mass Spectometer

这份来自化学研究仪器和设施（CRIF）项目的合同将帮助卡内基梅隆大学化学系获得一台MALDI-TOF质谱仪。该设备将加强研究，包括：(1)聚合物表征；(2)具有新型电、磁、光性能的固态有机材料的设计、合成与表征；(3)特种聚合物的生物催化合成；(4)肽核酸低聚物的表征。质谱（MS）是一种用于探测内部结构细节和获得大量有机、生物有机和有机金属分子的分子组成的技术。基质辅助激光解吸电离（MALDI）技术的加入将质谱的范围扩展到非挥发性分子，如蛋白质和核酸。它为化学家提供了表征化合物的最有力的工具之一。在质谱中获得这种能力对于在许多化学领域进行前沿研究是必不可少的。

This award from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) Program will assist the Department of Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University to acquire a MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometer. This equipment will enhance research which includes (1) polymer characterization; (2) design, synthesis and characterization of solid state organic materials with novel electrical, magnetic and optical properties; (3) biocatalytic synthesis of specialty polymers; and (4)characterization of peptide nucleic acid oligomers. Mass spectrometry (MS) is a technique used to probe intimate structural details and to obtain the molecular compositions of a vast array of organic, bioorganic, and organometallic molecules. The addition of the technique of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) extends the range of MS to non-volatile molecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids. It affords the chemist one of the most powerful tools available for the characterization of compounds. The acquisition of this capability in mass spectrometry is essential for conducting frontier research in many fields of chemistry.