A Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer Supporting Undergraduate Biomedical Research and Education

NIH RePORTER · NIH · S10 · $250,000 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract. Indiana State University serves a broad student base from diverse backgrounds. A large fraction (38%) of our students are Pell Grant eligible (47% of first-year, full-time freshmen). Our students are a mix of students from urban and rural environments including a large fraction from underserved communities. We are requesting an instrument consisting of a capillary gas chromatograph coupled to a high-resolution mass spectrometer capable of tandem mass spectrometry. The instrument will be used for chromatographic separation of complex mixtures; determination of molecular formulas from accurate mass measurement; identification of unknown compounds through electron impact and chemical ionization fragmentation patterns; and data-dependent tandem mass spectrometry and high sensitivity trace analysis using selected reaction monitoring. This instrument will replace a heavily used existing low- resolution instrument which is reaching the end of its serviceable life and which no longer meets our research needs. This instrument will support three faculty research projects across three departments involving three tenured faculty with extensive records of engaging undergraduates in research, two untenured faculty, one a new hire in biochemistry. These faculty projects will provide biomedically relevant research and teaching experiences to students across a range of backgrounds in chemistry, biology and environmental science including metabolomics and trace analysis. Research and Educational projects to be supported include 1. A Public Database for Discovery of Neuroactive Alkaloids in Poison Frogs, 2. Analysis of Pesticides and Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS/PFOS) in Game Animals, 3. Rationally Redesigning Cytochrome P450s for Direct C-H Amination 4. Lipidomics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa CYP168A1 Metabolism (CHEM 431L). 5. Techniques in Metabolomics and Proteomics These projects will engage 6-8 chemistry undergraduate and 1-2 biology/EES graduate students each year in research during our Summer Undergraduate Research Experiences (SURE) program. Use in laboratory courses will involve over 100 students each academic year in Sophomore Organic, Advanced Organic, Inorganic and Biochemistry as well as a new combined course in metabolomics and proteomics being developed. This state-of-the-art instrument and bioinformatics/chemoinformatics platforms will enhance the research environment at Indiana State University and enable our students to pursue graduate and professional degrees in biomedically relevant fields. The objectives in this project are relevant to the institutional missions of NIGMS, NINDS, NIMH and NCATS as well as other institutes not involved in the program such as NIEHS and NIDA.

Key facts

NIH application ID
10881305
Project number
1S10GM154292-01
Recipient
INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Principal Investigator
RICHARD W FITCH
Activity code
S10
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2024
Award amount
$250,000
Award type
1
Project period
2024-08-01 → 2025-07-31