Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

We request funding towards the purchase of a high-pressure liquid chromatography high-resolution tandem-mass spectrometry system (HPLC-HR-MS/MS). ******This instrument system is essential to all aspects of Dr. Denina Simmons' research program in the Aquatic Omics Lab at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (Ontario Tech), which is funded by the Canada Research Chairs program (Tier II) and NSERC (Discovery grant, Discovery Accelerator Supplement, and a Launch Supplement). The requested system will also fundamentally expand the established research program of Dr. Jean-Paul Desaulniers which is funded by four NSERC programs (Discovery Grant (DG), 2 Collaborative Research Development (CRD) Grants, and an I2I grant). ******The HPLC-HR-MS/MS system will be used to enable large-scale and high-throughput sequencing, measurement, and characterization of both large and small biomolecules (i.e. oligonucleotides, proteins, metabolites, and drugs) that are present complex biological plasma and tissue samples, in relatively pure solutions after synthesis reactions, or in environmental matrices such as water and sediment. There is no other available instrumentation that is suitable for such a diverse and demanding array of analyses, and nearby facilities with similar capabilities do not have enough time available to support the number of hours required by Drs. Simmons' research program, nor to do provide the flexiblity required by both Dr. Simmons and Dr. Desaulniers to perform new bioanalytical method development. Thus, a delay in the acquisition of this equipment will cause a substantial impediment to the start-up of Dr. Simmons' research program and the expansion of Dr. Desaulniers' established research.******Dr. Simmons' research program focuses on non-lethal methods for environmental effect monitoring; she explores the impacts of household contaminants, mining and industrial waste, as well as climate-driven aquatic stressors like harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, and invasive species on the health of wild fish populations. Dr. Desaulniers' research program involves developing novel synthetic oligonucleotides that can be used as therapeutic treatments for diseases that occur due to the over expression of genes, and creating novel modifications that improve delivery and reduce non-target effects.******Over the next 5 years, the requested equipment will support the training of at least 30 highly qualified personnel (including undergraduate students) in the combined research groups of Dr. Simmons and Dr. Desaulniers. Training for all HQP will include hands-on use of the instrument, as well as the statistical data analysis and interpretation of large and complex spectral data-sets, using bioinformatics and chemoinformatics software. Both Dr. Simmons and Dr. Desaulniers make effort provide training and research opportunities and that are inclusive to all people and create research teams that are balanced in gender, cultural, and social diversity.*****