This award from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities Program will assist the Department of Chemistry at University of Florida acquire an electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometer. This equipment will enhance research in a number of areas including the following: (1) dynamic measurement of neuropeptides in vivo, (2) synthesis and characterization of synthetic and biological peptides and proteins, (3) electroactive polymers and aquathermolysis, (4) biocatalytic synthesis and biocatalytic conversion of aromatic wastes into useful compounds, and (5) analogs oligonucleotides and nucleosides bearing non-standard bases and modified bridging groups. Mass spectrometry (MS) is a technique used to probe intimate structural details and to obtain the molecular compositions of a vast array of organic,bioorganic, and organometallic molecules. The addition of the technique of electrospray extends the range of MS to proteins and nucleic acid molecular weights far beyond any other technique. The use of electrospray ionization in combination with high resolution provides the latest techniques available in mass spectrometry. It affords the chemist one of the most powerful tools available for the characterization of compounds. The acquisition of this capability in mass spectrometry is essential for the prosecution of frontier research in many fields of chemistry.
