Analytical Science@Loughborough
Research Portfolio
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Advanced Systems: Design and Development of Next Generation Measurements
Working towards plastic instruments, μ-fabricated ion mobility systems
Looking at the processes and engineering systems required to deliver disposable single use ion mobility systems for use in clinical, in-vivo and fieldwork applications.
Superheated water extraction and chromatography
We have described how "superheated" water can be used, without organic modifiers, as a mobile phase for reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Such a system is easy to operate, with only minor adjustments being necessary to the set up of the HPLC system itself. The use of a superheated water mobile phase is an environmentally friendly Green solvent and offers a number of important benefits; such as the use of low wavelength UV detection or flame-based GC detectors, as well as the prospects of enhanced separations through increased efficiencies. A particularly interesting aspect has been the linkage of superheated heavy water (D2O) with NMR (NMR-MS) to give interference free on-line NMR spectra.
Temperature programming has been utilized for the separation of complex mixtures to increase peak capacity and efficiency equivalent to gradient elution. A number of materials have been examined as potential stationary phases for these studies and the work has been extended to the use of superheated water as a novel extraction solvent.
Laser ablation and laser desorption MS
Development of new interfaces to enable robust sampling and analysis of biological substrates and planar separation media.
Mixed Physics Modelling Fundamental studies on ICP-MS instrumentation
Mathematical modelling of new detection systems, interfaces and traps with the aim of producing a paradigm shift in technique performance.
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Strategic Priorities: Meeting national needs and overcoming technical barriers.
Valid Analytical Measurement with Ion Mobility Spectrometry
In-trap derivatisation
Recovery of highly active VOC species such as biogenic amines and low-carbon number aldehydes from complex matrices.
Molecular modelling and mass spectrometry of metallo-biomolecules
This is a collaborative project with the British University in Egypt aimed at employing mass spectrometry and molecular modelling to establish the structure of biologically active metallo-peptides.
Determination of dithiocarbamate additives in rubber
Metals ions have been used as complexing agent to improve the analysis of zinc dithiocarbamates used as rubber additives.
Trace analysis of food stuffs
Studies are being carried out into methods for trace level analysis in foods.
Improved quantitative methods for biomolecules
Coupling the power of ICP-MS to separation methods to improve the quantitative analysis of bio-molecules such as phosphorylated proteins and DNA, including work on elemental and nano-particle tagging of biomolecules for improved detection. For example, tagging a 25-mer oligonucleotide with gold nanoparticles (via streptavidin-biotin linkage) gave 800x increase in sensitivity compared to quantification via phosphorus measurement.
Novel Methodologies and Applications for Isotope Dilution by Quadrupole ICP-MS
A collaborative project with the British Geological Survey on improving the performance of isotope dilution analysis by Q-ICP-MS of environmental analytes such as U.
Counterfeit detection
Development of volatile labels and associated detection systems for embedded labels to prove provenance and authenticity of high value consumer non-durables. pharmaceuticals, fuels, and software for example.
Human vitality and viability
Detection of trapped people following massive urban collapse. Production of VOC profiles of trapped and injured humans and the development of detection systems to enable first responders and rescuers to assess the presence and condition of trapped casualties under destroyed buildings.
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Clinical, in-vivo and pharmaceutical studies
Development of clinical assays for Pt based chemotherapy
This collaborative project with Dr G D Jones at Leicester University seeks to quantify Pt-DNA adduct formation to predict and monitor the outcome of Pt-based chemotherapy.
Determination of phytoestrogens in saliva
Development of sensitive and specific methods for the determination of low levels (pmol.l-1) of phytoestrogens in saliva by LC-MS and immunoassay, in collaboration with the Department of Human Sciences as part of a study into possible correlation between phytoestrogen consumption and Alzheimer's disease.
Investigation of the role of zinc in age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
Collaboration with researchers at the Institute of Ophthalmology (University College London) investigating the formation of deposits in the retina of AMD patients. We are looking at zinc distribution in retinal tissue using laser ablation ICP-MS, and using various separation and MS methods to study interactions of zinc with proteins (particularly complement factor H) believed to be instrumental in the formation of these deposits.
Breath and sweat analysis
Combining advanced adaptive sampling methodologies for the recovery of VOC from the exhaled breath and skin of human participants our goal is the delivery of next generation fieldable in-clinic methodologies for patient and subject assessment.
Further information is available from: Professor Colin Creaser, Department of Chemistry, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU (c.s.creaser@lboro.ac.uk), or email the centre direct at analytical.science@loughborough.
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