Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Group

Our research program is centred on the development and application of on-line analytical techniques for the direct and continuous monitoring of key determinants of environmental and human health. The goal of this research is to provide direct-sampling platforms coupled to sensitive and selective detection systems, such as mass spectrometry to provide real-time, high precision measurements. Our research program has two thematic areas broadly characterized as 1) new directions in membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS) instrumentation and 2) new applications of real-time analytical data. Membrane introduction mass spectrometry uses a semi-permeable membrane to pre-concentrate analytes while rejecting the bulk of the sample matrix allowing on-line analysis without sample preparation. The 'faster, better, cheaper' analytical methods enabled by this research can be directly applied to the study of environmental chemistry, human exposure and material properties. The ability to monitor trace contaminants in real-time in environmental systems (e.g. indoor/outdoor air quality, drinking water disinfection by-products) is of paramount importance in understanding health risks and rapidly mitigating problems when they occur. Our leadership in the development of on-line measurement strategies has been demonstrated by the first published use of an enzyme-derivatized polymer membrane interface to monitor substrate concentrations in complex samples. We propose further innovations that will advance direct chemical measurement capabilities by coupling semi-permeable membrane interfaces with ambient spray ionization and tandem mass spectrometric strategies. Substantially faster chemical identification and quantification in complex samples also has direct application in emergency response scenarios, quality control and clinical diagnosis. Consequently, our research program has direct significance for environmental quality and human health.