Acquisition of a High Resolution Mass Spectrometer

University Of Maryland, College Park, College Park MD

Investigators

Abstract

Professors Michael P. Doyle, Jeffrey T. Davis, Daniel E. Falvey, Lyle D. Issacs and Herman O. Sintim of the University of Maryland have submitted a proposal in response to the CRIF: MU solicitation to acquire a high resolution double sector mass spectrometer. The research projects it will support are related to a variety of studies including: (i) synthesis and application of unnatural amino acids; (ii) characterization of small molecule intermediates used in supramolecular chemistry, molecular recognition, and the assembly of receptors for transmembrane ion-transport; (iii) development of highly selective and efficient catalytic processes for the synthesis of biologically relevant compounds; (iv) the study of photo induced electron transfer reactions and the generation of novel high spin organic species; (v) development of small molecule probes for electron and electrophile migration along strands of DNA; and, (vi) total synthesis of antibiotics of the family of Platensimycin. Mass spectrometry (MS) is used to identify the chemical composition of a sample and determine its purity. A high resolution mass spectrometer has the capability of performing accurate elemental composition analysis of compounds. This makes it a powerful tool for identification of known and unknown or new compounds. This acquisition will benefit undergraduate and graduate students in their research and in a new experimental course to be developed. Students and faculty at Howard University Virginia State University and Catholic University will also use it to analyze samples.