Acquisition of a MALDI/TOF Mass Spectrometer For Research and Education in Biochemistry and Chemistry

Vassar College, Poughkeepsie NY

Investigators

Abstract

With support from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, the Department of Chemistry at Vassar College will acquire a MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometer. This equipment will enhance research in a number of areas including a) the identification of trapped intermediates during the refolding of tick anticoagulant peptide; b) the identification and characterization of organometallic complexes of giant fullerenes; c) the molecular weight determination of novel synthetic polymers; and d) the analysis and identification of organic archaeological materials. Mass spectrometry (MS) is a technique used to probe intimate structural details and to obtain the molecular compositions of a vast array of organic, bioorganic, and organometallic molecules. The results from these studies will have an impact in a number of areas including materials chemistry, polymer processing and biology.