Implementation of mass spectrometry technique MALDI-TOF-TOF at the Center for Analytical Sciences of the University of São Paulo, Institute of Chemistry

• Grant number: 09/53851-2
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
• Start date: August 01, 2010
• End date: July 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Metabolism and Bioenergetics
• Principal Investigator: Paolo Di Mascio
• Grantee: Paolo Di Mascio
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• EMU web page: Página do Equipamento Multiusuário não informada
• Type of equipment: Tipo de Equipamento Multiusuário não informado
• Manufacturer: Fabricante não informado
• Model: Modelo não informado

Abstract

The objective of this project is the installation, at the USP Institute of Chemistry (IQ) Center for Analytical Sciences, of the maldi-tof-tof technique of mass spectrometry. The USP-IQ Center for Analytical Sciences was created in 1986 to meet the needs of USP-IQ researchers in the performance of techniques such as resonance spectrometry, mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Over time, the Center became a referral center within the academic community, not only within the state of São Paulo but in all of Brazil, providing services to the USP-IQ and to various research institutes and institutions of higher learning. In addition, the Center offers its services to private enterprises in the state of São Paulo, as a means of partnering with society in terms of the techniques of analysis that are not available on the market. The project envisions the installation of a highresolution mass spectrometer that combines, in a single instrument, the more advanced technology of maldi-tof-tof with high analytical power and versatility (high-resolution and determination of exact mass available for routine analyses in a user-friendly device). Mass spectrometry has become an extremely popular technique because of its versatility and broad variety of applications. Tandem mass spectrometry has promoted a revolution in this field. The great majority of mass spectrometry users have reacted favorably to the potential of this technique to meet the needs of their projects. However, the equipment required to perform the maldi-tof-tof technique is costly, and the expense is rarely justifiable for a single project. The USP-IQ Center for Analytical Sciences, being an institutional center for the support of research, is fully capable of managing the equitable sharing of its resources among the researchers at the USP-IQ, as well as with those working at other public institutions or in the private sector. (AU)