MRI: Acquisition of a High Resolution, Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer to Enable Research and Education at the Interface of Chemistry and Biology

该奖项由主要研究仪器和化学研究仪器计划支持。来自南卡罗来纳州哥伦比亚大学的Ken Shimizu教授及其同事Qian Wang、Michael Walla、托马斯Makris和Norma Frizzell获得了一台配备一系列附件的高分辨率四极杆飞行时间质谱仪（HR-Q-ToF-MS）。一般来说，质谱（MS）是用于识别和表征嵌入复杂基质中的少量化学物质的关键分析方法之一。在典型的实验中，组分流入质谱仪，在那里它们被电离成母离子及其碎片离子，并测量它们的质量。这种高灵敏度的技术可以检测和确定复杂混合物中分子的结构。带有液相色谱仪的仪器通过在化合物到达质谱仪之前分离化合物的混合物来提供额外的结构鉴定能力。在四极杆质量分析器中，有四个彼此平行的圆柱形杆，它们负责基于它们的质荷比（m/z）过滤样品离子。离子的分离是基于它们在施加到棒上的振荡电场中的轨迹的稳定性。此次收购加强了大学和地区的研究基础设施。该仪器通过利用这一现代分析技术让不同的学生参与研究和研究培训，扩大了参与。它提供培训机会，教师和学生从邻近的历史上黑人大学（HBCU），如本尼迪克特学院，南卡罗来纳州州立大学，和克拉夫林大学。该工具支持与许多当地公司和政府机构建立伙伴关系，该提案旨在加强各级的研究和教育。它特别适用于通过选择性官能化天然产物的碳-氢键而获得的化合物的表征，以及用于探索蛋白质组装、生物缀合化学和生物材料科学。该仪器对于研究蛋白质琥珀酸化和蛋白质硫醇残基的非酶化学修饰，以及研究废水再利用，水力压裂和燃煤电厂排放对饮用水的影响至关重要。质谱仪用于鉴定维持足够的细胞内必需金属铁水平和巯基-二硫化物氧化还原平衡的线粒体控制所需的机制。该仪器还用于确定植物对环境胁迫的反应，了解神经元之间的连接，并破译调节细胞质动力蛋白（一种沿着细胞微管移动的细胞骨架运动蛋白）的分子途径。该奖项反映了NSF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 Ken Shimizu from University of South Carolina Columbia and colleagues Qian Wang, Michael Walla, Thomas Makris and Norma Frizzell have acquired a high-resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (HR-Q-ToF-MS) equipped with a series of attachments. 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. In a quadrupole mass analyzer, there are four cylindrical rods parallel to each other which are responsible for filtering sample ions, based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). Ions are separated based on the stability of their trajectories in the oscillating electric fields applied to the rods. The acquisition strengthens the research infrastructure at the University and regional area. The instrument broadens participation by involving diverse students in research and research training using this modern analytical technique. It provides training opportunities to faculty and students from neighboring Historically Black College Universities (HBCUs) such as Benedict College, South Carolina State University, and Claflin University. The instrument supports partnerships with many local companies and government agencies.The proposal is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels. It is especially useful for the characterization of compounds obtained by selectively functionalizing carbon-hydrogen bonds of natural products, and for exploring protein assembly, bioconjugation chemistry, and biomaterials sciences. The instrument is essential for studying protein succination and non-enzymatic chemical modification of protein thiol residues, and for studying the impacts of wastewater reuse, hydraulic fracturing, and coal-fired power plant discharges on drinking water. The mass spectrometer is used for the identification of mechanisms needed to maintain adequate intracellular levels of the essential metal iron and mitochondrial control of thiol-disulfide redox balance. The instrument is also used to determine plants response to environmental stress, for understanding connections amongst neurons, and deciphering the molecular pathways regulating cytoplasmic dynein, a cytoskeletal motor protein that move along microtubules in cells.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.