High-resolution Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) for Quantification of Biopolymers in Complex Matrices and Micropollutants in Water and Wastewater

我们建议购买一台新的带有光电二极管阵列检测器(PDA)的超高效液相色谱仪(UPLC)，以支持北不列颠哥伦比亚省大学(UNBC)的研究项目。我们需要在复杂的样品基质中以高灵敏度快速、高精度地检测小分子和高相对分子质量的生物聚合物。UPLC是UNBC至少五名研究人员的突出基础设施要求。收购该设备将支持的研究项目包括：从生物废水处理系统和生物固体中回收资源，去除城市废水中的微污染物，从北方昆虫微生物群中发现天然产品，营养物质、微量元素和有机污染物(如抗生素)在包气带的传输，以及疾病对树木健康和森林资源的影响。该系统配备了流动针式自动进样器、色谱柱加热器和PDA UV-Vis检测器。该设备能够处理多达四种溶剂的流动相、一台计算机、监视器、外围设备和操作软件。该软件可以对小分子和大分子进行定性和定量分析。拟议的系统将使方法开发和管理变得容易。我们的研究团队确保UPLC系统的安全，以准确识别和定量复杂样品中的小分子和聚合物，这一点至关重要。凭借这一最先进的系统获得的分辨率和分析速度，我们的团队将使用许多不同的分析物处理麻烦的矩阵和样品。与标准的高效液相色谱系统相比，该UPLC系统将提供先进的分析，灵活地研究各种样品，运行时间更短，分析物的灵敏度和选择性更高，从而实现更高的样品吞吐量。新的UPLC系统还将能够处理我们复杂样品中单个组分的所需浓度范围。在我们的研究计划中招聘的高素质人员(HQP)将接受如何使用UPLC系统的培训。经过培训，HQP将经常使用UPLC来研究从处理废水的好氧颗粒污泥系统中回收资源(生物聚合物和氨基酸)、去除市政废水中的微污染物、天然产品的发现、渗滤液和生物固体中抗生素的定量以及天然基质中的复杂化学混合物，如树叶和树皮。因此，申请者、共同申请者、合作者和其他用户将几乎连续使用所请求的UPLC。9名博士、16名硕士和28名本科生将在未来五年内接受设备培训。

We propose to purchase a new ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) with photodiode array detector (PDA) to support research programs at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). We need fast, high precision detection of both small molecules and high-molecular weight biopolymers with high sensitivity in complex sample matrices. The UPLC is a salient infrastructure requirement for at least five researchers at UNBC. The research programs to be supported by the acquisition of this equipment include: resource recovery from biological wastewater treatment system and biosolids, removal of micropollutants in municipal wastewaters, natural product discovery from Northern Boreal insect microbiomes, transport of nutrients, trace elements and organic contaminants (such as antibiotics) in the vadose zone, and impacts of diseases on tree health and forest resources. This system is equipped with a flow-through needle autosampler, a column heater, and a PDA UV-Vis detector. This equipment has the capability of handling up to four-solvent mobile phases, a computer, monitor, peripherals, and operational software. The software can analyze qualitatively and quantitatively both small and large molecules. The proposed system would allow easy method development and management. It is critical that our research team secures the UPLC system to accurately identify and quantify both small molecules and polymers in complex samples. With the resolution and analysis speed obtained from this state-of-the-art system, our team will process troublesome matrices and samples with many different analytes. Compared to standard high-performance liquid chromatography systems, this UPLC system would provide advanced analysis, flexibility to study a wide range of samples, shorter run times and increased sensitivity and selectivity of analytes allowing for a higher sample throughput. The new UPLC system will also be able to handle the desired range of concentrations for individual components in our complex samples. Highly qualified personnel (HQP) recruited in our research programs will receive training on how to use the UPLC system. After training, the HQP will frequently use the UPLC for research on resource (biopolymers and amino acids) recovery from aerobic granular sludge systems treating wastewater, removal of micropollutants in municipal wastewater, natural product discovery, quantification of antibiotics in leachates and biosolids, and complex chemical mixtures in natural matrices such as foliage and bark. Thus, the requested UPLC will be in almost continual use by the applicant, co-applicants, collaborator, and other users. 9 PhD, 16 Masters, and 28 undergraduate students will be trained on the equipment in the next five years.