Proposal

Narrative

The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry seeks to enhance the problem-solving and analytical skills of its students by including a series of discovery-based experiments involving high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS). MR-MS is a powerful technique for analytical chemistry and biochemistry, involving structural elucidation of molecules (natural products and other organic compounds), application for determining protein structures and protein modifications during disease (proteomics), and studies of metabolic pathways. At present, HR-MS is taught to undergraduates at FAU on a theoretical level, as no HR-MS exists on the Boca Raton, Davie, or Jupiter campus. Incorporation of HR-MS will be within BCH 3103L, CHM 4139L, and CHM 2211L. As an example of a specific application, in CHM 2211L, the students could be given a mixture of 3 unknown organic compounds and then apply HR-MS to identify the compounds. They then validate their understanding of the compound identification by drawing the fragmentation pattern for each compound in HR-MS. Each student can process and obtain 3 MS spectra in a matter of minutes. We can easily obtain the results for 20 students in about an hour. For BCH 3103L, students could be given a protein that contains a specific posttranslational modification. They would then use the HR-MS fragmentation pattern to identify the modification. Students actively participating in DIS (CHM 4905) and the Honors Program will receive practical training in applying HR-MS to their systems of interest. This will facilitate their research projects and streamline their productivity. The request for this HR-MS instrument purchase is well aligned within the different programs that compose the FAU strategic pillars (I-HEALTH, Marine Science, and Neuroscience).

Facilities

No renovations or upgrades are needed. The Orbitrap HR-MS will be located on the Jupiter campus, building MC17, room 213.

Hardware Requirements

No hardware requirements are needed.

Software Requirements

No software requirements are needed.

Personnel Costs

There are no personnel costs. The Orbitrap HR-MS will be housed in the I-HEALTH Analytical Core Facility. The I-HEALTH Analytical Core Facility is overseen by Dr. Dorota Tokmina-Roszyk. Dr. Tokmina-Roszyk will oversee the instrument purchase, installation and maintenance. Dr. Tokmina-Roszyk was hired to operate and service the instruments in the I-HEALTH Analytical Core Facility and train faculty, students, and postdoctoral associates in the use of the instruments. Dr. Tokmina-Roszyk’s salary is entirely covered by I-HEALTH.

Other Costs

The Orbitrap HR-MS costs $394,700 (see attached quotation). Of this amount, $150,000 is being paid from a grant ("Research University Alzheimer’s Research Using Exablate Neuro-focused Ultrasound," Gregg B. Fields, Program Director) and $144,700 is being paid from I-HEALTH. Thus, the request for the FAU Technology Fee support is $100,000.

Timeline

We would like the HR-MS instrument to be ready and available for use at the start of Fall semester of 2023. In the event of this proposal being funded the installation of HR-MS hardware will be completed by a Thermo Scientific representative immediately after its delivery. The Thermo Scientific will also provide training on the instrument use and experimental design after completion of installation. No assistance from Information Technology (IT) staff will be required.

Sustainability

Dr. Tokmina-Roszyk’s salary is entirely covered by I-HEALTH. The costs of the weekly and annual maintenance will be covered from the laboratory fees for teaching purposes and common funds for research from the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. The Department also has two endowments, the Kresge Foundation Science Initiative Grant Fund and the Margaret S. Kramer Chemistry Endowment, that are specifically for instrument maintenance and repair. I-HEALTH receives support for instrument maintenance through lease agreements in the biotechnology incubator located on the Jupiter campus.

Resource Matching

The Orbitrap HR-MS costs $394,700 (see attached quotation). Of this amount, $150,000 is being paid from a grant ("Research University Alzheimer’s Research Using Exablate Neuro-focused Ultrasound," Gregg B. Fields, Program Director) and $144,700 is being paid from I-HEALTH. Thus, the request for the FAU Technology Fee support is $100,000.

Implementing Organization

I-HEALTH will implement the project.