Acquisition of an LC Ion-Trap Mass Spectrometer for Interdisciplinary Chemical Analysis

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy NY

Investigators

Abstract

With this award from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) Program, the Department of Chemistry at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute will acquire an LC Ion-Trap Mass Spectrometer for Interdisciplinary Chemical Analysis. This equipment will enhance research in a number of areas including a) the sequencing of peptides and characterization of synthetic small-molecule protein cofactors; b) separation and identification of oligonucleotides synthesized on clay; c) prostaglandin and leukotriene separations and identification of free radicals trapped with nitrone spin traps; d) analysis of lake and river surface microlayers; e) structural elucidation of combinatorial biocatalysts; and f) structure determination of photodegraded environmental pollutants. 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 biotechnology and environmental chemistry.