MRI: Acquistion of a Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Tandem Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer

该奖项是根据2009年《美国复苏和再投资法案》(公法111-5)提供资金，用于购买配备LC-MALDI定位系统的基质辅助激光解吸/电离串联飞行时间质谱仪(MALDI TOF/TOF MS)，供一般用户进行研究、教育和培训。该仪器支持多学科，将应用于广泛的材料，包括生物分子(蛋白质、多肽、碳水化合物、寡核苷酸、脂类)、大有机分子(合成聚合物)和无机材料(纳米颗粒)。主要研究工作包括：将串联MALDI MS分析应用于若干研究项目，包括核酸自由基前体及其产生的DNA和RNA损伤产物的表征；对血红蛋白和脊椎动物带3蛋白质进行简便高通量的测序；通过评估X射线对各种金属蛋白晶体的辐射诱导降解作用，增加对金属蛋白质结构分析的结晶学方法的知识；开发将MALDI MS应用于单细胞成像的技术/方法；促进对与DNA复制和修复相关的大分子组件的分析；以及对木质纤维材料的结构进行详细的表征，这是其他分析手段无法获得的。这些项目将促进与周围科学界的合作。所有项目成果的详情将通过托莱多大学的网页和同行评议的期刊上公布。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).Funding was provided to acquire a Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Tandem Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (MALDI TOF/TOF MS) equipped with a LC-MALDI spotting system for general user access for research, education, and training. The instrument supports multiple disciplines and will be applied to a wide range of materials including biomolecules (proteins, peptides, carbohydrates, oligonucleotides, lipids), large organic molecules (synthetic polymers) and inorganic materials (nanoparticles). The main research efforts involve the adaptation of tandem MALDI MS analyses to a number of research projects including the characterization of nucleic acid radical precursors and the resultant DNA and RNA damage products; the facile and high-throughput sequencing of hemoglobin and vertebrate band 3 protein; to enhance the knowledge of crystallographic methods for metalloprotein structural analyses by evaluating the radiation-induced degradative effects of X-rays on various metalloprotein crystals; to develop techniques/methodologies for applying MALDI MS to imaging of single cells; to facilitate of analyses of macromolecular assemblies associated with DNA replication and repair; and for the detailed characterization of the structure of lignocellulosic materials, which is unattainable by other analytical means. These projects will foster collaboration with the surrounding scientific community. Details of outcomes of all projects will be available through University of Toledo webpages for each PI/Co-PI, and in peer-reviewed journals.