LASER SPECTROSCOPY OF JET SUPERCOOLED BIOMOLECULES

生物医学研究和分析中的许多重要问题都是由 缺乏相似大小的生物分子的选择性检测方法， 结构不同，功能不同。 例如，歧视 异构肽仍然是一个难题。 最近的事态发展 激光解吸/激光电离质谱（LD/LIMS）已经摆脱了 这一领域的一些光，但更多的新方法，以加强检测 显然需要有选择性。 这里提出的研究描述了 氨基离子化光谱新技术的发展 酸和小肽。 该装置（已在建设中， 波多黎各大学）将采用标准设计工具， LD/LIMS。 重点将放在识别和分类夏普 光谱特征，这将指纹的许多氨基酸中， 波长范围为205 - 260 nm。 同分异构体的碎裂模式 寡肽也将作为激光电离的函数进行测量 动力. 该研究项目的长期目标是开发新的有用的 用于表征生物分子的方法，并创建物理 蛋白质与远紫外光相互作用的模型。 本提案中描述的强大技术有许多用途， 关于大分子的光谱学。 作为我们的集体 专业知识的发展，这种方法将扩大到其他 生物医学研究中的重要问题。 该研究项目提供了一个强大的学生支持组件， 强调最先进技术的实际操作培训， 以下领域：光学和激光方法，真空技术，计算机 硬件和软件，以及质谱分析。

Many important problems in biomedical research and analysis result from the lack of selective detection methods of biomolecules of similar size and structure, but different function. For example, the discrimination of isomeric peptides remains a difficult problem. Recent developments in Laser Desorption/Laser Ionization Mass Spectroscopy (LD/LIMS) have shed some light on this area, but more new methodologies to enhance detection selectivity are clearly needed. The research proposed here describes the development of new techniques based on the ionization spectroscopy of amino acids and small peptides. The apparatus (already under construction at the University of Puerto Rico) will employ a standard design instrument for LD/LIMS. The concentration will be on identifying and classifying sharp spectral features which will fingerprint many of the amino acids in the wavelength region from 205-260 nm. Fragmentation patterns of isomeric oligopeptides will also be measured as a function of laser ionization power. The long term goals of this research project are to develop new useful methodologies for characterizing biomolecules, and to create physical models for the interactions of proteins with light in the far ultraviolet. The powerful technique described in this proposal has many uses with respect to the spectroscopy of large molecules. As our collective expertise develops, this methodology will be extended towards other important problems in biomedical research. The research project provides a strong student support component by emphasizing hands-on training in state-of-the-art techniques in the following areas: Optical and laser methods, vacuum technology, computer hardware and software, and mass spectrometry.