Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) are industry-standard methods for measuring lipid and non-lipid biomolecules and chemical compounds from a variety of matrices. Because fatty acids and lipids are involved in many cellular processes in all living things, proper understanding of these processes requires accurate measurements from experimental samples. HPLC/UPLC (hereafter referred to as HPLC) is a high-resolution, reliable, and cost-effective method of performing these important analytical measurements. We are requesting funding for a major upgrade to our comprehensive, multi-lab HPLC program. This includes (1) an Agilent 1260 Infinity II HPLC (UPLC) system, with (2) an external Agilent Evaporative Light Scattering Detector (ELSD). This HPLC system with ELSD will replace an aging system in which the HPLC and ELSD are 20 and 24 years old, respectively. The Lipidomics Core Facility is highly subsidized by the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and the University of Alberta, and provides affordable lipid analytical services to university researchers across faculties and departments. The requested funding will provide strong support to this initiative, benefitting not only the 3 applicants and the Lipidomics Core Facility, but also many other investigators who study lipids. The collaborative nature of the applicants' shared HPLC infrastructure is a unique and highly -functional arrangement that benefits all parties who are directly and indirectly involved. Improving the reliability of the HPLC analyses performed in the Lipidomics Core will allow faster turnaround times and elimination of time and money wasted due to unreliable equipment. This will allow the Facility to further develop and expand the analytical methodology offered. The new HPLC system will be the primary lipid analytical instrument in the Core, and will be used extensively by Core personnel and trainees from PI labs including those of the applicants. More broadly, HPLC is an important and heavily- used technique in academia, government, and industry. In addition to its use in measuring lipids and other basic research applications, HPLCs are widely used for research and development in the oil & gas, alternative energy, foods and flavours, cosmetics, healthcare, pharmaceutical, and environmental industries. Trainees who learn to operate and analyze data from HPLC instruments gain skills that are incredibly valuable for their future careers. The in-depth knowledge gained by using HPLCs in a research setting is invaluable in producing highly-qualified personnel (HQP) who progress into productive careers in academia, government, industry, and more.