MRI: Acquisition of a MALDI/FT-ICR mass spectrometer for multidisciplinary research

Bowdoin College, Brunswick ME

Investigators

Abstract

With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, the Department of Chemistry at Bowdoin College will acquire a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometer equipped with external matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) and electron ionization (EI) sources. Faculty at Bowdoin College, Bates College and the University of Southern Maine will have access to this equipment, which will enhance research in a number of areas including a) studies of gas-phase ion-molecule reactions; b) identification of biological, polymeric, and organometallic synthetic targets; and c) characterization of samples that include neurons from marine invertebrates, plant pigment extracts, soil samples, and oil residues from archaeological collections. 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. This instrument will serve as a vehicle to educate students and faculty about the new technologies of MALDI and FT-ICR mass spectrometry. In addition, because this instrumental technique is well suited for the analysis of a wide range of samples, the FT-ICR will catalyze new approaches to research and new research activities in disciplines such as neuroscience, ecology, biology, environmental studies and archaeology.