Fundamental Processes in Electron Capture Dissociation: Peptides, Polymers and Fullerenes

一个分子的结构决定了它的反应性，在生物分子的情况下，决定了它的功能。因此，能够阐明分子结构是很重要的。质谱法是一种能够测量分子质量的技术。结构信息可以通过将分子碎片化并测量其组成部分的质量来收集。分子解离后对碎片进行质量测量称为串联质谱法。电子捕获解离（ECD）是近年来发展起来的一种串联质谱技术，它在多肽和蛋白质的结构分析中显示出许多优点。然而，ECD发生的机制尚未明确定义，我们无法确定我们是否意识到这种分析技术的潜力。此外，ECD的其他分子结构还没有得到全面的解决。拟议的工作将解决ECD作为一种分析技术，在更广泛的背景下比以前的调查。我们将定义特定肽、聚合物和富勒烯的ECD行为。主要成果将是更好地了解幼儿发展的机制。因此，将有可能优化ECD性能并获得各种分子结构的最大结构信息。

A molecule's structure defines its reactivity and, in the case of biomolecules, its function. It is therefore important to be able to elucidate molecular structure. Mass spectrometry is a technique which enables measurement of the mass of a molecule. Structural information may be gleaned by fragmenting the molecule and measuring the masses of its constituent parts. Dissociation of a molecule followed by mass measurement of the fragments is known as tandem mass spectrometry. Several established techniques exist for inducing fragmentation however each has limitations, such as the inability to cleave certain chemical bonds.Electron capture dissociation (ECD) is a recently developed tandem mass spectrometry technique which shows a number of advantages for the structural analysis of peptides and proteins. However, the mechanism by which ECD occurs is not clearly defined and we cannot be certain that we are realising the potential of this analytical technique. Furthermore, the ECD of other molecular structures has not been comprehensively addressed.The proposed work will address ECD as an analytical technique in a broader context than previous investigations. We will define the ECD behaviour of particular peptides, polymers and fullerenes. The main outcome will be a better understanding of the mechanisms of ECD. As a result, it will be possible to optimise ECD performance and gain maximum structural information for a variety of molecular structures.