Virtual Tour of the Instrumentation Laboratory
Mass Spectrometry Instrumentation
GCxGC-TOF MS
Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry is used to perform non-targeted analysis of relatively non-polar contaminants and metabolites.
LC-MS/MS (1)
Relatively polar molecules including some metabolites are quantified using liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry.
LC-MS/MS (2)
A more sensitive model of the LC-MS/MS system.
GC-MS
Gas chromatography coupled to quadrupole mass spectrometry is used to quantify persistent organic pollutants and other relatively non-polar molecules.
LC-Q/TOF MS
Liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry is used to perform non-targeted analysis of relatively polar contaminants and metabolites.
LC-ICP MS
Metals are quantified using liquid chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
Mercury Analyzer
Mercury is quantified on a specialized instrument.
Sample Preparation Equipment
SPE
Solid phase extraction is used to isolate and concentrate molecules of interest from liquid matrices.
PLE
Pressurized liquid extraction isolates molecules of interest from solid/semi-solid matrices.
Microwave
Microwave extraction isolates molecules of interest from solid/semi-solid matrices.
GPC
Gel permeation chromatography is used to separate molecules of interest from co-extracted lipids.
Large volume nitrogen evaporator (TurboVap)
Uses a controlled temperature bath and nitrogen gas vortex to concentrate target analytes in liquid matrices to a desired volume.
Small volume nitrogen evaporator (Reacti-Therm III)
A nitrogen blowdown evaporator used to concentrate molecules of interest in small volumes of liquid matrices, typically prior to instrumental analysis.
Software
Some of our research projects require the development of custom software to process and summarize data. Most code is written in R and Python and is publicly released. For example, custom software is used to:
- Analyze non-targeted mass spectrometry data to assist with compound identification and generate mass spectral libraries.
- Process quantitative mass spectrometry data to determine target compound concentrations and evaluate data quality objectives.
Packages & Libraries
R package for organic/biological mass spectrometry.
Collection of mass spectral libraries for compound identification.