Multidimensional Mass Spectrometry Methods for the Study of Polymer Structures, Architectures, and Interactions

在化学系化学测量和成像项目的支持下，阿克伦大学的Chrys wesdemotis教授和他的团队将开发用于合成聚合物微观结构表征的多维质谱方法。液相色谱和离子迁移率分离将与串联质谱相结合，以表征新型两亲性物质、杂化材料、糖共聚物、可生物降解聚合物和自组装大分子系统。最终目标是准确识别相应的成分、连通性和结构，以确定控制宏观性能的结构元素，从而促进为特定任务设计先进材料。许多合成聚合物是为生物医学应用而设计的。这些物质对细胞来说是不可见的，除非蛋白质附着在它们的表面。该项目的第二个目标是探测与合成聚合物相互作用的蛋白质是否发生变化，并量化用于生物医学和临床用途的聚合物上的蛋白质粘附。第三个相关目标涉及探测合成聚合物表层方法的进步，以便确定由环境因素或分离现象引起的变化。计划研究的一个主要动机是需要对阿克伦大学及其在俄亥俄州东北部的工业合作伙伴为工业和临床目的生产的新材料进行敏感的化学分析。在这个项目中开发的方法将帮助化学家设计和生产性能更好、商业上重要的材料，用于各种用途，如医疗植入物、药物输送化合物和高性能塑料。与此同时，计划中的研究活动将教育和培训美国本科生、研究生和研究生，包括来自代表性不足群体的学生，学习现代材料研究和质谱技术，这两个领域的就业机会不断增加，对国家的技术进步至关重要。

With support from the Chemical Measurement and Imaging Program in the Division of Chemistry, Professor Chrys Wesdemiotis at the University of Akron and his group will develop multidimensional mass spectrometry methodologies for the microstructure characterization of synthetic polymers. Liquid chromatography and ion mobility separation will be combined with tandem mass spectrometry to characterize novel amphiphiles, hybrid materials, glycopolymers, biodegradable polymers, and self-assembled macromolecular systems. The ultimate goal is accurate identification of the corresponding compositions, connectivities, and architectures in order to ascertain the structural elements that control macroscopic properties and, thus, facilitate the design of advanced materials for specific tasks. Many synthetic polymers are engineered for biomedical applications. These materials are invisible to cells unless proteins attach to their surface. A second goal of this project is to probe if changes occur to proteins that interact with synthetic polymers and to quantify protein adhesion on polymers prepared for biomedical and clinical use. A third, related objective concerns the advancement of methods that probe the surface layer of synthetic polymers, so that alterations resulting from environmental factors or segregation phenomena can be determined.A major motivation for the planned studies is the need for sensitive chemical analyses of the novel materials produced for industrial and clinical purposes at the University of Akron and its industrial partners in Northeast Ohio. The methods developed in this project will help chemists to design and produce better performing and commercially important materials for a variety of uses such as medical implants, drug delivery compounds, and high performance plastics. At the same time, the planned research activities will educate and train American undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students, including students from underrepresented groups, in modern materials research and mass spectrometry techniques, two areas with growing employment opportunities that are vital for the nation's technological progress.