Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

We request funds to purchase an ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (UHPLC-TQMS) for accurate chemical quantification. UHPLC-TQMS is a well-established analytical platform that provides extremely sensitive, reproducible, and precise molecular measurements with great robustness, which is urgently needed for a variety of research applications. Operated and maintained in the UBC Chemistry Mass Spectrometry Facility, this LC-MS will help address the high and unmet demand for quantitative chemical, metabolite, and protein analysis by researchers across UBC. Applicants are from the Departments of Chemistry, Zoology, and the Faculty of Land & Food Systems, and conduct important research in the areas of metabolomics and mass spectrometry (Tao Huan), natural product biosynthesis (Katherine Ryan), protein biochemistry (Suzana Straus), real-time chemical reaction monitoring (Jason Hein), chemical biomarkers (David Chen), trace levels of organic pollutants (Allan Bertram), comparative physiology (Katie Marshall) and molecular food safety (Barbara Stefanska). In addition to creating new and maintaining existing research, collaboration and funding opportunities for (1) targeted metabolomics, (2) detection and quantification of trace levels of chemicals, and (3) protein quantification, the instrument will also provide hands-on training for at least 91 highly qualified personnel (HQP). The Department of Chemistry has deemed a TQMS as a critical purchase and is supporting this application with substantial matching funds. The proposed instrument will be an important workhorse for the next several decades, adding great value to the university and its employees through the training of HQP and by fostering research excellence in several areas of chemistry and beyond.