Purchase of an Electrospray/MALDI Q-TOF Hybrid Mass Spectrometer

University Of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville TN

Investigators

Abstract

With support from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) Program, the Department of Chemistry at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville will acquire an Electrospray/Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Quadrupole - Time of Flight (MALDI Q-TOF) Hybrid Mass Spectrometer. This instrument will be used for a) studies on the characterization of polymers and amyloid fibrils; studies of multiply charged anions; and for the synthesis and characterization of telechelic materials. In addition, investigators at Knoxville will investigate aminoglycoside antibiotic modifying enzymes; light regulation of plant development; and protein components of amyloid plaques. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry is the technique of choice for obtaining accurate molecular weights on molecules up to and over 300,000 daltons, with extremely high sensitivity. These studies utilizing the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer will have an impact in chemistry, biochemistry and materials research.