MRI-R2: Acquisition of an LCMS System to Enhance Undergraduate Research that Interfaces Chemistry and Biology

该奖项是根据2009年《美国复苏和再投资法案》(公法111-5)提供资金的。凭借该奖项，詹姆斯·麦迪逊大学的Kevin P.Minbiole及其同事Daniel M.Downey、Reid N.Harris、Gina M.MacDonald和Debra L.Mohler将获得一台液体色谱仪接口质谱仪(LC-MS)。该仪器将用于本科生研究活动和高级本科生化学课程。将进行的研究项目包括青蛙和火蜥蜴皮肤细菌抗真菌代谢物的表征，谢南多河流域内分泌受体化合物的测定，血液中神经递质代谢物的测量，以及DNA和染色质之间相互作用的研究。与加拉德特大学和玛丽·鲍德温学院的合作将允许聋人和重听学生以及相当数量的女性参与重要的研究工作。LC-MS结合了液相色谱的物理分离能力和质谱学的质量分析能力。液体色谱仪将混合物分离成其分子组分。这些成分流入质谱仪，在那里测量它们的质量和碎片的质量。这种高度灵敏的技术可以检测和确定复杂混合物中的分子结构。该奖项提供的仪器将为教师和本科生提供在化学和生物学的界面上进行重要的合作研究的机会。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). With this award from the Major Research and Instrumentation (MRI) program, Kevin P. Minbiole and colleagues Daniel M. Downey, Reid N. Harris, Gina M. MacDonald and Debra L. Mohler of James Madison University will acquire a liquid chromatograph interfaced mass spectrometer (LC-MS). The instrument will be used in undergraduate research activities and in advanced undergraduate chemistry classes. Projects to be investigated include characterization of anti-fungal metabolites from the skin bacteria of frogs and salamanders, determination of endocrine receptor compounds in the Shenandoah River watershed, measurement of neurotransmitter metabolites in blood, and studies of the interactions between DNA and chromatin. Collaborations with Gallaudet University and Mary Baldwin College will allow deaf and hard of hearing students as well as substantial numbers of women to participate in important research endeavors. A LC-MS combines the physical separation capability of liquid chromatography with the mass analysis ability of mass spectrometry. The liquid chromatograph separates a mixture into its molecular components. These components flow into a mass spectrometer where their masses, and those of their fragments, are measured. This highly sensitive technique allows detection and determination of the structure of molecules in a complex mixture. The instrumentation provided by this award will provide faculty and undergraduate students the opportunity to pursue significant collaborative investigations at the interface of chemistry and biology.