Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

The funding requested in this application will be used to acquire a matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight/time of flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF/TOF MS). This instrument will be used by several researchers to advance work on: 1) development and implementation of new, rapid, sensitive and selective analytical methods for chemical analysis of small molecules, and 2) characterization of biomolecules and novel synthetic materials (i.e., molecules, complexes and polymers). Compounds/molecules that will be analyzed in this work pose risks to the environment or human health, or represent potential commercial or scientific value, for example, compounds that are chemically-active (e.g. catalysts), biologically-active (e.g. nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals) or are functional materials (e.g. biopolymers, new materials for energy use or storage, etc.). The use of MALDI- MS for sensitive and high throughput analysis of small molecules is still not common, but it is anticipated that the ground-breaking methods developed in this work will be useful for environmental protection, where mitigation and control of toxic compounds in the environment rely on rapid, sensitive analytical methods, and for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical analysis, where rapid screening methods are necessary for quality assurance. The methods for analysis water-borne contaminants will provide a means for broader screening programs and better assessment of the state of the environment and water supplies in Canada. Furthermore, the analytical capabilities of the system will be essential for research on development of more environmentally-friendly chemical processes (green chemistry, green catalysts), development of new pharmaceuticals or nutraceuticals, and more productive use of waste products like wood and fish waste; all outcomes of economic value. Another important benefit to Canada will be the high-quality training and hands-on experience provided on this instrument to tens of undergraduate and graduate students each year. The resulting skill-set is consistently in demand in medicine, industrial R&D, environmental analysis, etc.