Maximising Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry at Southampton Chemistry

用最简单的术语来说，质谱法是一种称量化合物或分子的技术。这是通过中性化合物带电的初始阶段实现的。这被称为电离，一旦电离，这些物质（离子）可以使用磁场和/或电场分离。对于单个化合物的分析可以很简单，但当处理混合物时，需要其他技术。混合物需要分离以识别单个组分;这基本上是分离科学，并且有许多不同的方法来实现这一点。最常见的是色谱法，这是一种分离许多不同形式的化学混合物的方法。可以使用气体或液体进行分离。离子迁移率是另一种分离科学技术，在这里，单个物质（离子）由于其形状的差异而被分离。色谱、离子迁移率和质谱的组合提供了用于分析复杂混合物的最强大的现代仪器。（已经安置在南安普顿化学的质谱设施中），需要训练有素的，敬业的，专业的操作员，以充分发挥能力，并展示这种尖端的科学仪器的能力。该提案将资助一个新的两年全职专业分析师职位。这个人将最初设计和实施通用的实验方案，并培训现有的工作人员和早期采用者研究人员。这项研究与南安普顿和英国其他离子迁移质谱仪的主要生物学焦点不同。新任命者将为当地和区域的高级研究项目开发定制方法，并通过开发培训活动和与研究人员合作制作开放获取出版物来吸引其他研究人员。

In its simplest terms mass spectrometry is a technique for weighing compounds or molecules. This is achieved through an initial stage where the neutral compound becomes charged. This is called ionisation, and once ionised, these species (ions) can be separated using magnetic and/or electric fields. For individual compounds analysis can be simple, but when dealing with mixtures other technologies are required. The mixtures need to be separated to identify the individual components; this is fundamentally separation science and there are a number of different ways to undertake this. The most common is called chromatography, which is a method of separating many different forms of chemical mixtures. Separations can be undertaken using gases or liquids. Ion mobility is another separation science technique, here individual species (ions) are separated because of differences in their shape. Combination of chromatography, ion mobility and mass spectrometry affords the most powerful modern day instrumentation for the analysis of complex mixtures.The intrinsic complexity of an ion mobility mass spectrometer, such as the Synapt G2Si (already housed in the mass spectrometry facility at Southampton Chemistry), requires a highly trained, dedicated, specialist operator to fully maximise the capacity and showcase the capability of this cutting edge scientific instrumentation. This proposal will fund a new two year full-time position for a specialist analyst. This person will initially design and implement generic experimental protocols and train existing staff and early adopter researchers. This research differs from the predominantly biological focus of other ion mobility mass spectrometers across Southampton and the UK. The new appointee will develop bespoke methods for advanced research projects, locally and regionally, and also engage other researchers by developing training activities and working with researchers to produce open-access publications.