Acquisition of a High-Resolution Mass Spectrometer to Enhance the Interdisciplinary Research and Education at Claflin University
Abstract
Principal Investigator: Derrick Swinton, Ph.D. Institution: Claflin University Title: Acquisition of a High-Resolution Mass Spectrometer to Enhance the Interdisciplinary Research and Education at Claflin University Claflin University (CU) requests funds from the Department of Defense to acquire a high-resolution Quadrupole-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (QToF). The Mass Spectrometer is an essential instrument needed to support the research and educational programs ongoing at Claflin University. The instrument will be used to achieve the following objectives: 1) enhance the research and training infrastructure for faculty and students: 2) broaden the participation of women and minorities in STEM disciplines: 3) enable the development of new interdisciplinary and cross disciplinary courses: 4) improve the quality of graduating STEM students by enabling students to train on advanced instruments used in industry, thus preparing them for success in the workforce. Acquisition of the mass spectrometer will enable faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, the opportunity to engage in high quality materials science related research and education; attract students to STEM programs at Claflin University; and enable the university to provide a rigorous curriculum. The Mass Spectrometer will be integrated into the lectures and general laboratory curriculum of relevant courses, particularly Analytical Chemistry, Instrumental Analysis, and Biochemistry where mass spectrometry is currently taught from a fundamental and limited perspective. Acquisition of the instrument will enable faculty to delve deeper into advanced concepts and applications of the instrument in their respective courses. The current research program at Claflin consists of faculty in biology, bioinformatics, biochemistry and chemistry. These highly-qualified interdisciplinary cadres of faculty mentor the research of undergraduate and graduate students. Research interests of the faculty range from investigating antimicrobial peptide pathogen interactions, mycotoxins and bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in natural systems, NMR based metabolomics, structural basis for protein folding specificity and thermodynamic stability, identification of biomarkers using OMICÕs technology to predict stages of human diseases, nanoparticle-protein interactions, and other research projects related to materials science, proteomics, and metabolomics This abstract is approved for public release.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 04, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1910505
Entities
People
- Derrick J. Swinton
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Claflin University
- Office of the Secretary of Defense