Research Overview
Our interest is in leveraging optimized analytical chemistry techniques to learn more about the metabolomic complications that arise from diabetes. We employ a variety of analytical techniques to investigate correlated metabolic processes. We develop novel chemical tagging, neutron-encoded tagging, and isobaric tagging to enhance the sensitivity and detection of small molecules of interest. We also engage supercritical fluids, nanospray, and LC to improve chromatography. while using microfluidic devices to approach a more accurate reflection of the vasculature.
Multiplexing for simultaneous screening of 96 samples in one run.
Chemical tagging with 96 unique neutron-encoded amine tags eases the metabolomic workflow and allows for absolute quantitation. A metabolic screen for carboxylic acids was performed on mammalian cells deprived of various nutrients and showed 24% RSD and analysis of 288 samples in 2 hours.
Supercritical fluid nanospray
Nanospraying supercritical fluids coupled to a mass spectrometer using capillaries of 25, 50, and 75 μm internal diameter allowed for improved detection sensitivity. It gave insights on difference in electrospray ionization mechanisms.
Chemical Tagging of Metabolites for Quantitative Metabolomics
No single analytical method can interrogate the entire metabolome due to its chemical diversity and wide dynamic range; we are developing a derivatization scheme aimed at boosting signal intensity and decreasing competing ionization for the entirety of the metabolome.
Mimicking the Vasculature using an Online Microfluidic Culture and Lysing Platform
Microfluidic devices provide an improved biomimmetic environment for culturing endothelial cells to reflect an improved model of the vasculature. It does so by having channel dimensions, flow, and shear stress on the same order of magnitude as blood vessels.