A grant has been awarded to Dr. Vicki Wysocki at the University of Arizona to design and construct an improved quadrupole-time-of-flight (Q-TOF) tandem mass spectrometer (MS-MS) designed to include two complementary activation methods, surface-induced dissociation (SID; surface target) and collision-induced dissociation (CID; gaseous target). Two biological measurement challenges that will be addressed by the proposed instrument are (1) protein identification from complex mixtures with improvements in numbers of total correct identifications and (2) analysis of glycoconjugates, specifically glycosphingolipids, from complex mixtures without prior deglycosylation. The proposed instrument will consist of the following components: a combination ion source (atmospheric MALDI and micro/nanoESI); a quadrupole mass analyzer to select ions of interest for activation; a surface for surface-induced dissociation; a hexapole for collision-induced dissociation or for trapping of surface-activated ions; and an orthogonal TOF chamber for analysis of product ions produced by CID or SID. This project will result in an instrument with several enhanced capabilities and in an excellent training experience for project members. The instrument will provide high sensitivity, flexibility in ion activation, a high duty cycle, high resolution and high mass accuracy for product ions, and fast acquisition of spectra (compatible with microcapillary LC introduction into the ESI source). Successful development of this instrument will have a significant impact on proteomics research.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Biological Infrastructure (DBI)
Application #
0244437
Program Officer
Helen G. Hansma
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2003-06-01
Budget End
2007-05-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$525,795
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Arizona
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Tucson
State
AZ
Country
United States
Zip Code
85721