Mass Spectrometry Resource for the Study of Biological Complexity

History of MSRSBC (1999 - present) 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | next page

Mass Spectrometry Resource for the Study of Biological Complexity at Virginia Commonwealth University

The Department of Chemistry began developing a Mass Spectrometry Resource Center (MSRC) to support research in chemistry, the life sciences and the Massey Cancer Center in 1999. The College of Humanities and Sciences and the Department of Chemistry provided funds to renovate 1,018 sq ft of space that had been occupied by a departmental glass blowing shop. These costs included installation of an independent HVAC system and costs associated with acquisition of a JEOL-HX-110 mass spectrometer that was donated by Genentech, Inc. This was a high resolution MS with electron impact, chemical ionization, and fast-atom bombardment source accessories.

Following installation of the JEOL-HX-110 MS, Dr. David C. Muddiman organized the preparation and submission of a Chemical Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) Proposal to the Chemistry Division of the National Science Foundation. The instrument being requested was a Micromass Q-Tof™ 2 quadrupole /time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometer with Electrospray Ionization (ESI) source. Dr. Muddiman brought together proposals from six faculty in the Department of Chemistry, participation of the National Cancer Institute-designated Massey Cancer Center that is directed by Dr. Gordon D. Ginder, and the support of the Vice Provost of Life Sciences, Dr. Thomas F. Huff.