Two-Dimensional Nano Liquid Chromatograph with Nanospray Source for ThermoFisher Q Exactive Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer

生物化学分析能力对于理解生物系统中的分子事件至关重要。测量的分析物还可以作为生物标志物或对诸如生长和衰老等事件的生理适应的指标，但也可以作为关于锻炼和营养的挑战。 质谱技术对于这些复杂的生化分析至关重要，这些分析对于组学类型的活动（包括蛋白质表征）以及检查代谢物和脂质的研究是必要的。 Ken Stark博士目前在运动机能学系拥有质谱仪设备，但仪器陈旧且有限。具体地说，该系统无法进行识别天然生物化合物结构所需的产物片段分析。 滑铁卢大学化学系质谱设施（UWMSF）目前拥有能够进行串联质谱的Q Exactive（四极杆轨道阱），但需要纳米级液相色谱仪（NanoLC）来提高灵敏度。 将nanoLC添加到前端将允许样品以极低的流速（约200- 500 nL/min，而当前为200µL/min）引入Q Exactive，这将允许分离和鉴定测量复杂的脂质，蛋白质和营养代谢物样品所需的。 这些分析目前在滑铁卢大学校园内不可用。这些设备对于几个研究项目至关重要，但也是必要的，使本科生和研究生的适当培训。

Biochemical analytical capabilities are essential for understanding molecular events in biological systems. Measured analytes can also serve as biomarkers or indicators of physiological adaptations to events such as growth and aging, but also challenges in regard to exercise and nutrition. Mass spectrometry techniques are critical for these complex biochemical analyses that are necessary for omic-type activities including protein characterization, and studies examining metabolites and lipids. Dr. Ken Stark currently has mass spectrometry equipment in the Department of Kinesiology, but the instrument is old and limited. Specificially, the system cannot perform product-fragment analysis necessary to identify the structure of native biological compounds. The University of Waterloo Mass Spectrometry Facility (UWMSF) in the Department of Chemistry presently has a Q Exactive (quadrupole-orbitrap) capable of tandem mass spectrometry, but requires a nanoscale liquid chromatograph (NanoLC) to increase the sensitivity. Adding the nanoLC to the front-end will allow samples to be introduced into the Q Exactive at an extremely low flow rate (~200-500nL/min compared to current 200µL/min) that will allow for separation and identification required to measure complicated lipid, protein and nutrient metabolite samples. These analyses are presently not available on the University of Waterloo campus. This equipment is critical for several research programs, but also necessary to enable proper training of undergraduates and graduate students.