High-throughput Liquid Chromatograph Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer

About This Grant

Health sciences research in the modern age has been revolutionized by automation and the high sensitivity of mass analysis provided by state-of-the-art quantitative mass spectrometry (MS) instruments. The Lumigen Instrument Center (LIC) at Wayne State University has a mission to provide researchers at the university and in the regional area with reliable user-based high throughput targeted MS analysis to elevate their research productivity. As part of the strategic plan of the Mass Spectrometry Laboratory in the LIC, the Mass Spectrometry Advisory Committee identified two current challenges for users. First, the number of targeted mass spectrometry analyses has drastically increased to over 13,000 analyses per year, which has dramatically affected user research productivity. Second, development of new methods to address the unique needs of individual users is limited due to the absence of new and powerful technologies, including high throughput automation and more sensitive triple quadrupole mass spectrometers. To address these challenges, this application requests funds for a high throughput solid phase extraction liquid chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (HT-SPE-LC-MSMS) at Wayne State University. The instrument will significantly enhance research accomplishment in mass spectrometry (MS) on our campus. First, the HT-SPE- LC-MSMS will increase the LIC's targeted mass spectrometry analysis rate. Second, the instrument will provide the only mass spectrometer in a shared facility on campus with high throughput, online solid phase extraction, targeted analysis capability, which will enable NIH-funded researchers to expand and transform their research activities and lower laboratory sample preparation costs. The multiple capabilities of the instrument will include cyanotoxin and cyanopeptides, mycotoxins, VOC metabolites, PFAS, hormones, endocrine disruptors, drugs of abuse, and ADME, API stability, and purity analyses. The instrument will support the research programs of at least 20 users at Wayne State University and the regional area, which include chemists, biologists, environmental scientists, and medical researchers. The HT-SPE-LC-MSMS will be housed and maintained in the LIC, which has strong institution support from the University, the Division of Research and Innovation, and the College of Liberal Arts and Science. The LIC has an exemplary record of instrument stewardship, with dedicated staff, facilities, and management to support the long-term use of the instrument. Importantly, the user-focused structure of the LIC will promote development of a unique array of new methods for each user's individual research projects. The acquisition of a HT-SPE-LC-MSMS is aligned with the long-term strategic plan of the Mass Spectrometry Facility at the LIC, which seeks to provide state-of-the-art and reliable MS instruments to implement innovative user-initiated projects at Wayne State University and local area community.