Winthrop University will acquire a matrix assisted laser desorption time of flight mass spectrometer (MALDI TOF-MS)) with this award from the Major Research Instrumentation program. The instrument will enable researchers at Winthrop to provide insights into the role of arginine methylation in the function of High Mobility Group A1 (HMGA1) protein. It will be used to probe the structure and function of a new class of peptide hormone receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2. The requested instrumentation will also be used to identify novel secreted xyalanses and characterize their products for use as biocatalysts in the degradation of biomass. In addition, the ability of Winthrop University to participate in the environmental monitoring of the Catawba River will be boosted by the ability to rapidly identify specific biomarkers from indicator organisms in the basin.
Mass spectroscopy is a basic tool used by chemists to identify and characterize materials and chemical species by accurate measurement of their mass and fragmentation patterns as they are vaporized and ionized in the instrument. MALDI-MS is a vaporization technique using a laser that volatilizes the sample to be ionized in the mass spectrometer. This acquisition will be used hands-on by undergraduate students in research projects. Students will also be introduced to the analysis technique in laboratory course instruction.
