Research Equipment

Mass Spectrometry

Bruker Microflex LRF

MALDI-TOF

Bruker Microflex LRF

Contact: Andrew Galerneau
Location: ChemSci S002

This equipment is the highest-performance benchtop MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry system on the market. The MALDI-TOF Bruker Microflex LRF is sensitive enough to analyze biomolecules (e.g., DNA, proteins, peptides, and sugars) and large organic molecules (e.g., polymers, dendrimers, and other macromolecules), which tend to be fragile and fragment when ionized by more conventional methods. The instruments capabilities include both a reflective mode, for enhanced isotopic resolution, and a linear mode. Current departmental projects employing this instrument include analysis of polymers, analysis of trypsin-digested proteins, verification of synthesized oligomeric DNA, and mass verification of organic-synthesis targets.

Thermo Finnigan LCQ Advantage Ion-Trap

LC-MS

Thermo Finnigan LCQ Advantage Ion-Trap

Contact: Jerry Lutz
Location: GLRC

The ion-trap LC mass spectrometer is used to separate and identify molecules and their structure. Generally used for large, nonvolatile compounds with boiling points greater than 300 degrees Celsius, this instrument separates mixtures using liquid chromatography and then identifies components using a mass spectrometer detector.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Varian 400MHz

NMR

Varian 400MHz

Contact: Jerry Lutz
Location: ChemSci S004

The NMR is used to determine the structure of molecules. The instrument has capabilities to measure proton, carbon, fluorine, phosphorus and other elements (quad probe, broad-band probe, indirect detection probe). The use of this equipment requires a user fee ($8.00). Training is required prior to use of the instrument.

DNA/RNA Synthesizers

ABI 394, 8-Base/4-column
 

DNA/RNA Synthesizer

ABI 394, 8-Base/4-column

Contact: Shiyue Fang
Location: ChemSci 603

This instrument is used in the development of technologies for the synthesis of base-labile oligonucleotides (a molecule containing 220 nucleotides), non-chromatographic purification of synthetic oligonucleotides, and development of next-generation antisense drugs.

MerMade 6 DNA Synthesizer

MerMade 6 DNA Synthesizer (BioAutomation)

Contact: Shiyue Fang
Location: ChemSci 405

The MerMade 6 Oligonucleotide synthesizer is designed to synthesize DNA, RNA LNA oligonucleotides in a column format using standard or modified chemistries. It is an economical, versatile, medium-throughput platform that synthesizes DNA oligonucleotides with fast cycle times and very low reagent consumption. The MerMade 6 is capable of making a combination of standard, degenerate, and modified oligonucleotides in the same run with scales varying from 50 nmole to 5 umole and allows for real-time monitoring progression of DNA synthesis.

Optical Spectroscopy

Shimadzu GCMS-QP5050

GC-MS

Shimadzu GCMS-QP5050

Contact: Jerry Lutz
Location: ChemSci S002

The gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer instrument is designed to separate and identify molecules in compounds having boiling points less than 300 degrees Celsius. The GC-MS pattern of fragmentation is much more reproducible than that of an LC-MS; therefore, known molecules can be identified using the operating software, which uses a reference library. This instrument is capable of chemical ionization and can be used with a direct-insertion probe.

FTIR

Perkin Elmer, Spectrum One

Contact: Andrew Galerneau
Location: ChemSci 601

The FTIR spectrometer uses infrared radiation to vibrate the bonds between atoms found predominately in organic compounds. The frequency of these vibrations readily reveals the functional groups present in a molecule. Detailed structural information and identification can be obtained upon careful analysis of the infrared spectrum.

Horiba Jobin Yvon FluoroMax-4

Fluorometer

Horiba Jobin Yvon FluoroMax-4

Contact: Jerry Lutz
Location: ChemSci 408

Fluorometers measure the emission of molecules that absorb ultraviolet–visible (UV-VIS) radiation and then emit it at a longer wavelength.

Perkin Elmer Lamda 35

UV-VIS

Perkin Elmer Lamda 35

Contact: Jerry Lutz
Location: ChemSci 408

This spectrophotometer, capable of both quantitative and qualitative analysis, measures the absorbance of ultraviolet and visible light by molecules containing pi electrons. The instrument is connected with a Peltier research-grade temperature controller.

PTI Fluorescence System

Fluorescence and Phosphorescence Lifetimes

PTI Fluorescence System

Contact: Jerry Lutz
Location: ChemSci S014

This system utilizes a nitrogen laser to pump a chemical dye Laser which promotes samples into an excited state; then, using precisely timed delays and a photon multiplier as a detector, measures the intensity of the emission from the sample as it fluoresces/phosphoresces. A plot of the intensity verses delay time is then analyzed to determine the lifetime(s) of the sample's emissions.