MRI: Acquisition of a Liquid Chromatograph, Quadrupole, Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer to Enhance Undergraduate Research and Education in the Chemical and Biochemical Sciences

该奖项由主要研究仪器和化学研究仪器项目支持。伍斯特学院正在购买一台液相色谱仪，四极杆，飞行时间质谱仪（LC-Q-TOF-MS）来支持Paul Edmiston教授和他的同事Jennifer Faust。一般来说，质谱（MS）是用于鉴定和表征复杂样品中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，离子的质量被测量。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。在质谱法的飞行时间（TOF）方法中，离子的质荷比是通过已知强度的电场加速离子的方式来确定的。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。它还为该机构的许多本科生提供培训机会，并作为K-12实践研究参与以及课程嵌入式研究项目的资源，旨在根据学院STEM成功计划的指导扩大多样性。该仪器也被附近机构的研究人员使用，如圣克劳德州立大学、奥伯林学院、凯尼恩学院、阿什兰大学和丹尼森大学。质谱仪的奖励旨在加强各级的研究和教育。仪器的获取影响了人类影响的地表水中药物转化产物的鉴定。LC-Q-TOF-MS被圣克劳德州立大学的一名研究人员用于研究夏威夷河口的人为化合物。此外，质谱仪还为研究全氟烷基物质（PFAS）在环境中的命运和迁移以及探索雨水中有机成分的多相反应提供了信息。质谱仪还用于分析蛋白质交联剂，以鉴定蛋白质二硫异构酶的氧化还原伙伴，并用于研究果蝇精液蛋白质差异分配的影响因素。最后，利用该仪器研究精氨酸激酶在细菌中的代谢作用，并利用非天然氨基酸生成荧光成像的发色团。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. The College of Wooster is acquiring a liquid chromatograph, quadrupole, time-of-flight mass spectrometer (LC-Q-TOF-MS) to support Professor Paul Edmiston and colleague, Jennifer Faust. In general, mass spectrometry (MS) is one of the key analytical methods used to identify and characterize small quantities of chemical species in complex samples. In a typical experiment, the components flow into a mass spectrometer where they are ionized and the ions' masses 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 (TOF) method of mass spectrometry, the mass-to-charge ratio of an ion is determined by the way in which ions are accelerated by an electric field of known strength. 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 at this institution and serves as a resource for K-12 hands-on research engagement as well as course-embedded research projects designed to broaden diversity as guided by the STEM Success Initiative at the college. The instrument is also utilized by researchers at nearby institutions such a St Cloud State University, Oberlin College, Kenyon College, Ashland University, and Denison UniversityThe award of the mass spectrometer is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels. The instrument acquisition impacts identification of pharmaceutical transformation products in human-impacted surface waters. The LC-Q-TOF-MS is used for investigations of anthropogenic compounds in Hawaiian estuaries by a researcher from St Cloud State University. In addition, the mass spectrometer provides information for studying the fate and transport of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment and exploring multiphase reactions of organic components in rainwater. The mass spectrometer is also used to analyze protein cross-linkers to identify redox partners of protein disulfide isomerases and for studying the factors influencing differential allocation of seminal fluid proteins in the fruit fly, D. melanogaster. Finally, the instrument is utilized to study the metabolic role of arginine kinases in bacteria and the use of unnatural amino acids to generate chromophores for fluorescence imaging.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.