This award from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities Program will assist faculty in the Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University to upgrade the Data Acquisition and Processing Systems for two High Resolution and one ESI Mass Spectrometers. The mass spectrometers will support research projects focused on the generation of synthetic peptides, screening of combinatorial peptide libraries, characterization of synthetic mimics for beta sheet initiation, synthesis of organometallics to mimic enzyme containing metal active sites, selective alkylation of cysteine containing proteins and peptides by alkylphenols, synthesis of complex natural products, characterization of bioremediation proteins, metal-ligand complexation, and genetically engineered synthesis of vitamin B12.
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 protein and nucleic acid molecular weights far beyond any other technique. The use of electrospray ionization in combination with high resolution provides the latest technique 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.
