New directions and applications of membrane introduction mass spectroscopy (MIMS)

我们的研究计划集中在开发和应用在线分析技术，以直接和持续地监测环境和人类健康的关键决定因素。这项研究的目标是提供与灵敏和选择性检测系统(如质谱仪)相耦合的直接采样平台，以提供实时、高精度的测量。我们的研究计划有两个主题领域：1)膜引入质谱仪(MIMS)仪器的新方向；2)实时分析数据的新应用。膜引入质谱仪使用半透膜预浓缩分析物，同时排除大部分样品基质，无需样品制备即可进行在线分析。本研究提供的“更快、更好、更便宜”的分析方法可直接应用于环境化学、人体暴露和材料性质的研究。能够实时监测环境系统中的痕量污染物(例如室内/室外空气质量、饮用水消毒副产品)，对于了解健康风险并在问题发生时迅速缓解问题至关重要。我们在开发在线测量策略方面的领先地位已经通过首次公开使用酶衍生聚合物膜界面来监控复杂样品中的底物浓度而得到证明。我们提出了进一步的创新，通过将半透膜界面与环境喷雾电离和串联质谱学策略相结合，来提高直接化学测量能力。复杂样品中显著更快的化学鉴定和定量也直接应用于应急方案、质量控制和临床诊断。因此，我们的研究项目对环境质量和人类健康具有直接意义。

Our research program is centred on the development and application of on-line analytical techniques for the direct and continuous monitoring of key determinants of environmental and human health. The goal of this research is to provide direct-sampling platforms coupled to sensitive and selective detection systems, such as mass spectrometry to provide real-time, high precision measurements. Our research program has two thematic areas broadly characterized as 1) new directions in membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS) instrumentation and 2) new applications of real-time analytical data. Membrane introduction mass spectrometry uses a semi-permeable membrane to pre-concentrate analytes while rejecting the bulk of the sample matrix allowing on-line analysis without sample preparation. The 'faster, better, cheaper' analytical methods enabled by this research can be directly applied to the study of environmental chemistry, human exposure and material properties. The ability to monitor trace contaminants in real-time in environmental systems (e.g. indoor/outdoor air quality, drinking water disinfection by-products) is of paramount importance in understanding health risks and rapidly mitigating problems when they occur. Our leadership in the development of on-line measurement strategies has been demonstrated by the first published use of an enzyme-derivatized polymer membrane interface to monitor substrate concentrations in complex samples. We propose further innovations that will advance direct chemical measurement capabilities by coupling semi-permeable membrane interfaces with ambient spray ionization and tandem mass spectrometric strategies. Substantially faster chemical identification and quantification in complex samples also has direct application in emergency response scenarios, quality control and clinical diagnosis. Consequently, our research program has direct significance for environmental quality and human health.