Instrumentation for the Analysis of Biogenic Organic Compounds

该奖项支持七名研究人员购买气相色谱-质谱仪(GC-MS)和质子转移反应-质谱仪(PTR-MS)，用于研究生物挥发性有机化合物的生态、演化和生物化学。虽然GC-MS通常被称为化学鉴定的“黄金标准”，但它的使用非常耗时，通常需要45分钟才能完全分析一个样品。因此，该仪器不适合于测定生物合成、排放或周转的快速变化的动力学，特别是挥发性有机化合物。然而，PTR-MS可以检测流动空气样本中的挥发性化合物，并可以连续工作数月，从而实现长期、连续的测量。由于该仪器缺乏区分两种相同质量的化合物的能力，因此它的使用通常需要同时使用GC-MS进行化合物验证。将得到这些仪器支持的研究项目包括：(1)研究森林生态系统的挥发性有机化合物排放，包括它们对大气中臭氧形成的影响，以及随后臭氧返回森林的影响；(2)作为植物细胞新陈代谢和林木对大气二氧化碳增加反应的晴雨表的生物来源挥发性有机化合物；(3)环烯醚萜苷作为食草动物威慑作用的研究，包括新陈代谢糖苷作为吸引草食动物寄生虫和捕食者的挥发性线索的可能作用；(4)植物中萜类合成的群体遗传学研究，以及萜类(通常与植物防御有关)作为传粉者引诱剂的可能作用的研究；以及(5)为了识别筑巢对象和其他形式的交流的目的，在真社会性蜜蜂中进化地选择表面蜡的研究。这些仪器将用于研究生和博士后的研究培训。此外，预计这些工具将在支持本科生培训活动方面发挥核心作用，包括由NSF资助的本科生研究经验计划，教师用户将参与其中。

This award supports the purchase of a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) and proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometer (PTR-MS) for studies of the ecology, evolution and biochemistry of biogenic volatile organic compounds by seven investigators. While the GC-MS is often called the "gold standard" of chemical identification, its use is time consuming, often taking 45 min to analyze one sample completely. Thus the instrument does not lend itself to determination of rapidly changing dynamics in biosynthesis, emission or turnover, especially for volatile organic compounds. However, the PTR-MS can detect volatile compounds in a flowing air sample and can operate continuously for months, allowing for long-term, continuous measurements. Because this instrument lacks the ability to discriminate between two compounds of identical mass, its use often requires parallel use of GC-MS for compound validation. The research projects to be supported by the instruments include: (1) studies of volatile organic compound emissions from forest ecosystems, including their impact on ozone formation in the atmosphere, and subsequent deposition of ozone back to the forest; (2) biogenic volatile organic compounds as barometers of plant cellular metabolism and forest tree response to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide; (3) studies of iridoid glycosides as deterrents of herbivory, including the possible role of metabolized glycosides as volatile cues for attracting parasites and predators of herbivores; (4) studies of the population genetics of terpene synthesis in plants and of the possible role of terpenes (which are typically associated with plant defense) as pollinator attractants; and (5) studies of the evolutionary co-option of surface waxes in eusocial bees for purposes of nestmate recognition and other forms of communication. The instruments will be used in research training of graduate and postdoctoral students. Additionally, the instruments are expected to serve a central role in supporting undergraduate training activities, including an NSF-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program in which faculty users participate.