Resource for Biomedical and Bio-Organic Mass Spectrometry
From BTRR
Overview
The focus of this resource is to provide access to state-of-the-art mass spectrometry (MS) instrumentation for researchers through collaborative research and service arrangements, maintain a broad range of MS instrumentation well-suited to studies of biomolecules, and educate students in the MS arts. A unique characteristic of this resource is the existence of one laboratory in the chemistry department and two laboratories in the medical school, one of which is devoted to proteomics.
Current Research
Instrument and method development in tandem quadrupole time-of-flight, ion trap, and Fourier transform MS (FTMS) are aims at the chemistry site. Special emphases are on the development of ionic liquid matrices for matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) and the use of FTMS as the mass analyzer for MALDI. In biophysics, the purpose is to determine structure and properties of peptides and proteins, with emphasis on H/D exchange and OH radical footprinting.
Studies of complex mixtures of lipids and proteins and investigations using stable isotope tracers are aims at the medical school site. A new laboratory for research proteomics was recently made part of the resource. Development of new methods for the analysis of posttranslational modifications and membrane glycoproteins are major goals of the proteomics laboratory. Specific applications are the metabolism of proteins, glucose, and fatty acids and the role of lipids in the biochemistry of insulin-producing cells.
