Biochemical, Organic, Physical, Analytical, and Inorganic Mass Spectrometry

Colby College, Waterville ME

Investigators

Abstract

Chemistry (12) Teaching through research is a guiding principle in the institution's NSF-AIRE recognized program. A requested ion trap mass spectrometer with electrospray and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization interfaces (LC/MS) prepares the students at this institution to be creative, independent, and well-trained scientists. This instrument provides a novel linkage and enhancement of the full chemistry curriculum using experiments some of which are adapted from standard literature. Mass spectrometry is used in general chemistry for characterization of transition metal complexes. In organic chemistry students do natural products isolation and structure characterization. In physical chemistry proton affinities in gas phase and solution are studied. In Instrumental Analysis the fundamentals of the ionization and mass analysis processes are discussed. Biochemistry students use LC/MS in protein sequencing. These LC/MS-enhanced curricular components allow the introduction of exciting and important new approaches to chemistry, including combinatorial chemistry, solid-phase synthesis, and computer aided molecular design. The program in combinatorial chemistry links the Organic, Physical, Instrumental, and Biochemistry courses to map the active site of the proteolytic enzyme papain. Students in the Organic Chemistry course use solid-phase synthesis to make resin-bound combinatorial mixtures of papain substrates. These mixtures are analyzed in Instrumental Analysis for structure and purity, and in Biochemistry in a kinetic assay. The results of the papain assay are used for QSAR and receptor modeling studies in Physical Chemistry. Beyond curricular developments, the instrument is used to significantly enhance student/faculty research opportunities.