With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, the Department of Chemistry at Saint John's University will acquire a liquid chromatograph with mass spectrometric detection, including atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and electrospray probes. This equipment will enhance research in a number of areas including a) isolation of bioactive natural products; b) quantification of pesticides and pesticide residues in the Sauk River watershed; c) analysis of biological mechanisms for drug resistance; d) modeling a trinuclear site in multicopper oxidases; e) oxidized LDL studies; f) DNA repair in Saccharomyces cerevisiae; g) identification of endothelial proteins involved in tight junction formation; and h) vitamin K status in female athletes.
Liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (LC-MS) is an extremely powerful technique used for the separation and analysis of complex mixtures. It has become almost indispensable in industry; therefore, it will be crucial in the preparation of students for careers in industry or graduate school. This instrument will also be used by students at the College of Saint Benedict (an all women's college) and students at Saint Cloud State University.
