This project will provide a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) for use by members of the Biology and Chemistry departments at George Mason University. There is currently no mass spectrometer at the university. The purchase of a versatile, high performance GC-MS will permit the extension of several research activities that had previously been done off- campus at relatively high cost in both dollars and hours and will encourage development of new research areas for many of the faculty members. The acquisition of the GC-MS will also provide the opportunity for appropriate training of students through established chemical and biological instrumentation instructional programs at George Mason. Five co-principal investigators with experience in GC-MS techniques will immediately use the instrument for a broad range of applications, including studies of: 1) biochemical systematics of red algae; 2) accumulation and biotransformation of organometals in aquatic environments; 3) secondary compounds in leaves of spring ephemeral plants; 4) pyrolysis and oxidation of long chain alkylaromatic compounds; and 5) analysis of polar fractions of shale crudes. Numerous other uses of the GC-MS are proposed by other investigators who have not had previous direct experience with this instrument.
