MRI: Acquisition of an Accurate-Mass Quadrupole Time-of-Flight (Q-TOF) LC/MS for Multidisciplinary Research, Research Training, and Education at Tuskegee University

在主要研究仪器计划（MRI）和化学研究仪器计划（CRIF）的支持下，来自塔斯基吉大学的Marilyn Tourne教授和合作者将获得一台四极杆飞行时间液相色谱质谱计（Q-TOF- LC/MS）。一般来说，质谱（MS）是用于鉴定和表征嵌入在复杂基质中的少量化学物质的关键分析方法之一。在一个典型的实验中，这些成分流入质谱仪，在那里它们被电离成母离子和母离子的碎片离子，并测量它们的质量。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。带有液相色谱仪的仪器通过在混合物到达质谱仪之前将其分离来提供额外的结构识别能力。作为一个以本科生为主的机构，这所历史悠久的黑人大学（HBCU）的教师将本科生的研究经历作为他们研究活动最重要的成果之一。拟议的仪器将直接影响大量本科生在三年项目期间的研究经历，以及未来几年的研究经历。该仪器还将用于各种科学课程，包括有机、分析、仪器分析和生物化学。该奖项旨在加强各级的研究和教育，特别是在以下领域：(a)调查异常蛋白质-蛋白质关联；(b)开发利用过渡金属纳米颗粒（铂、钴和钌）生产乙醇生物燃料的新方法；(c)识别与选定靶点结合增强的设计小分子；(d)为市售乳化炸药及其残留物开发更简单的鉴定方法。

With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) and support from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation Program (CRIF), Professor Marilyn Tourne and collaborators from Tuskegee University will acquire a quadrupole, time-of-flight liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer (Q-TOF- LC/MS). In general, mass spectrometry (MS) is one of the key analytical methods used to identify and characterize small quantities of chemical species embedded in complex matrices. In a typical experiment, the components flow into a mass spectrometer where they are ionized into the parent ion and its fragment ions and their masses are measured. This highly sensitive technique allows detection and determination of the structure of molecules in a complex mixture. An instrument with a liquid chromatograph provides additional structural identification power by separating mixtures of compounds before they reach the mass spectrometer. As a primarily undergraduate institution, the faculty at this historically black university (HBCU) embraces undergraduate research experiences as one of the most important outcomes of their research activities. The proposed instrument will directly impact the research experiences of a large number of undergraduate students within the three-year project period, and many more in years to come. The instrument will also be used in a variety of science courses, including organic, analytical, instrumental analysis, and biochemistry.The award is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels, especially in areas such as (a) investigating aberrant protein-protein associations; (b) developing new methodology utilizing transition metal nanoparticles (Pt, Co, and Ru) for production of ethanolic biofuels; (c) identifying designed small molecules with enhanced binding to selected targets; and (d) developing simpler identification methods for commercially available emulsion explosives and their residues.