Fundamental Investigations of Electrospray Mass Spectrometry

在化学系化学测量和成像项目的支持下，新奥尔良大学的Richard Cole教授和他的团队寻求通过建立在阴离子附着电喷雾质谱法开发方面的先前创新来研究改进电喷雾（ES）质谱法的方法；详细绘制ES发射极内的电流和电位分布；通过优化生物溶液中弱相关复合物的检测。努力包括“区域选择性”阴离子附着的发展，以选择性地检测特定的结合位点。这项研究将为提高检测和识别类固醇等化合物的能力提供一种手段。一个相关的目标是提高对食物中的单宁和唾液中的蛋白质之间的结合的理解；这为测定潜在单宁类食品添加剂的抗氧化能力损失提供了一种新的方法。推导一个数学模型来描述电喷雾装置内的电流和电位，将促进对电喷雾中电化学过程的基本理解。该项目扩展了新奥尔良大学和路易斯安那州泽维尔大学之间现有的合作伙伴关系。因此，这一努力将扩大和丰富这两个机构的研究生和本科生（包括代表性不足的群体的成员）的机会，特别是通过扩大对质谱的接触。

With support from the Chemical Measurement and Imaging Program in the Division of Chemistry, Prof. Richard Cole and his group at the University of New Orleans seek to investigate ways to improve electrospray (ES) mass spectrometry by building upon previous innovations in the development of anion attachment electrospray mass spectrometry; by detailed mapping of current and potential distributions within the ES emitter; and by optimization of detection of weakly-associated complexes in biological solutions. Efforts include development of "regioselective" anion attachment for selective detection of specific binding sites. This research will provide a means to improve the ability to detect and identify compounds such as steroids. A related aim is to improve the understanding of binding like that between tannins in food and proteins in saliva; this may provide a new means to gauge the loss in antioxidant capacity of potential tannin food additives. Derivation of a mathematical model to describe electrical current and potential within the electrospray device will advance the fundamental understanding of electrochemical processes in electrospray.The project expands an existing partnership between the University of New Orleans and Xavier University of Louisiana. This endeavor will thus enlarge and enrich opportunities for graduate students and undergraduates (including members of underrepresented groups) at both institutions, specifically by widening exposure to mass spectrometry.