MRI: Acquisition of a MALDI Tandem Mass Spectrometer (MALDI MS) as an analytical tool to support multidisciplinary research at University of South Carolina

University Of South Carolina At Columbia, Columbia SC

Investigators

Abstract

This award is supported by the Major Research Instrumentation and the Chemistry Research Instrumentation Programs. Professor Qian Wang and colleagues Linda Shimizu, Johannes Stratmann, Michael Walla, Chang Liu from the University of South Carolina - Columbia, are acquiring a matrix-assisted laser desorption / ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF-MS) equipped with a photodiode array. In general, mass spectrometry (MS) is one of the key analytical methods used to identify and characterize small quantities of chemical species in complex samples. MALDI TOF combines gentle ionization (ideal for producing intact ions of peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, synthetic polymers, and other similarly sized species) with a detection mode that offers an excellent balance between sensitivity and accuracy across a wide range of samples. The acquisition strengthens the research infrastructure at the university and within the regional. The instrument broadens participation by giving hands-on access to a diverse student population. The instrument is also used in outreach activities. The award is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels. It especially impacts studies correlating molecular structure, orientation and dynamics. Researchers use the MALDI-TOF-MS to study analysis of bioconjugation products of proteins and protein-based nanoparticles, supramolecular assemblies, nanoreactors and conjugated polymers, imaging of intracellular algal toxins, protein & DNA characterization, electronics and photophysics of metal-organic hybrids, organic ligand analysis , analysis of boronic acid modified peptides, molecular weight analysis of functional polymers, characterization of peptides and small proteins from microbes, study of plant-pathogen interactions, biosensors and biomarkers for clinical diagnosis, cell and tissue targeted drug delivery, study the protein interactions, imaging of vascular structures and tissue scaffolds, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics studies, imaging of vascular structures, imaging of vascular structures, analysis biodegradable polymers, dendrimer based biomaterials for tissue engineering applications, analysis of ligands for organometallic synthesis, analysis of insoluble organic molecules. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.