MRI: Acquisition of a Liquid Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer for Research and Education in the Rural Western Illinois Region

该奖项由主要研究仪器和化学研究仪器项目支持。美国西伊利诺伊大学的宋立国教授和他的同事Jenq-Kuen Huang （WIU）、Meshack Afitlhile （WIU）、蒙茅斯学院的Audra Sostarecz和昆西大学的Caitlin Deskins获得了一台高分辨率四极杆、飞行时间、液相色谱质谱仪（Q-TOF-LCMS）。一般来说，质谱（MS）是用于鉴定和表征复杂样品中嵌入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离子，然后测量离子的质量。这种高度灵敏的技术可以研究复杂混合物中的分子结构。带有液相色谱仪的仪器可以在混合物到达质谱仪之前将其分离。在飞行时间法中，离子的质荷比是通过时间测量来确定的，在时间测量中，离子被已知强度的电场加速。这个加速度导致一个离子和其他带电的离子具有相同的动能。此次收购加强了大学和地区的研究基础设施。该仪器通过使用这种现代分析技术使不同群体的学生参与研究和研究培训，从而扩大了参与范围。它还为许多本科生提供培训机会，包括那些来自代表性不足群体的学生，并将作为一种区域资源，为邻近的大学、农业协会和需要法医分析的机构提供服务。该建议旨在加强各级的研究和教育。特别是对毛发中滥用药物的痕量分析、植物油的自热自燃过程的研究、抗菌分子结构-功能的Langmuir单层膜研究。通过CRISP/Cas9基因组编辑，质谱仪帮助研究人员研究胆固醇诺卡菌NRRL 5767的二次醇脱氢酶的代谢工程，以及研究蛋白酶抑制剂lepeptin的缓慢ph依赖性平衡。该仪器对于分析挥发性化合物（如面包中的挥发性化合物）也是必不可少的。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This award is supported by the Major Research Instrumentation and the Chemistry Research Instrumentation programs. Professor Liguo Song from Western Illinois University (WIU) and colleagues Jenq-Kuen Huang (WIU), Meshack Afitlhile (WIU), Audra Sostarecz from Monmouth College, and Caitlin Deskins from Quincy University have acquired a high-resolution quadrupole, time-of-flight, liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer (Q-TOF-LCMS). 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 samples. In a typical experiment, the components flow into a mass spectrometer where they are ionized into ions and then the masses of the ions are measured. This highly sensitive technique allows the structure of molecules in complex mixtures to be studied. An instrument with a liquid chromatograph can separate mixtures of compounds before they reach the mass spectrometer. In the time-of-flight method, the mass-to-charge ratio of an ion is determined by the way of a time measurement in which ions are accelerated by an electric field of known strength. This acceleration results in an ion having the same kinetic energy as any other ion that has the same charge. The acquisition strengthens the research infrastructure at the University and regional area. The instrument broadens participation by involving diverse groups of students in research and research training using this modern analytical technique. It also provides training opportunities to many undergraduate students including those from underrepresented groups and will serve as a regional resource serving neighboring universities, agricultural associations and in institutions that need forensics analyses.The proposal is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels. It especially impacts trace level analysis of drugs of abuse in hair, investigation of the self-heating and spontaneous ignition process of vegetable oils, and investigations of the structure-function of antibacterial molecules with Langmuir monolayer films. The mass spectrometer aids researchers studying metabolic engineering of secondary alcohol dehydrogenase from the bacterium nocardia cholesterolicum NRRL 5767 via CRISP/Cas9 genome editing and those investigating the slow pH-dependent equilibrium of protease inhibitor leupeptin. The instrument is also essential for the analyses of volatile compounds such as those in breads.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.