Acquisition of a Mass Spectrometer Instrument

Oakland University, Rochester MI

Investigators

Abstract

With this award from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities: Multi-user (CRIF:MU) program, Professor Arthur Bull and colleagues Ferman Chavez, Roman Dembinski, Greg Felton and John Finke from Oakland University will acquire a benchtop microfocus electrospray ionization time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) capabilities. The award will enhance research training and education at all levels, especially in areas of study such as (a) Josiphos-catalyzed homodimerization of ketoketenes having beta-lactones, (b) synthesis of modified nucleosides and their studies in short oligonucleotides, (c) probing the mechanism for cysteine dioxygenase through synthetic model studies, (d) structural studies of protein assemblies with hydrogen-deuterium exchange, (e) studies of damaging effects of radiation on DNA, and (f) electrocatalysis for alternative energy. Mass spectrometers (MS) are used to identify the chemical composition of a sample by measuring the mass of the molecular constituents in the sample after they are ionized and detected by the mass spectrometer. The time of flight (TOF) mass analyzer has high sensitivity and mass accuracy to assist the analyses and interpretation of the resultant data. This open access instrument will be available for training students in several departments in the use of this analytical tool. It will be used by undergraduate students in research and in laboratory instruction courses and in outreach to nearby institutions in southeastern Michigan such as Kettering University, the University of Michigan at Flint, Macomb Community College, Oakland Community College and Lawrence Technological University.