To meet future challenges in life sciences research, development of new bioanalytical technologies are required that provide more sensitive detection, detailed structural information, and higher throughput analyses. Bioanalytical technologies are being developed by many GST faculty, who are applying fundamental concepts from chemistry, physics, and engineering to applications in genome sciences. Mass spectrometry has become one of the most powerful tools in the biological sciences, with applications ranging from detection of drugs in serum to the analysis of proteins. Oak Ridge National Laboratory is home to one of the world's premier mass spectrometry research centers.
Research is conducted in fundamental and applied areas of biological mass spectrometry.
This research ranges from the study of the chemistry of ions in the gas-phase to the detection of trace quantities of targeted molecules in complex matrices. Instrument development is conducted to support the needs of the various research goals and is generally intended to lead to enhanced analytical capabilities. Particular emphasis has been placed in trapped ion techniques, such as Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance and quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometries. Similarly, ionization methods, such as electrospray and matrix-assisted laser desorption, are being studied to expand the fundamental understanding of the techniques and to expand the applicability of mass spectrometry to a broader range of bioanalysis problems. Now, instead of dissecting mice to assess alterations in internal organs, mice can be scanned in about 1 minute to identify diseased kidneys, to assess mass of fat pads for obesity testing, and to obtain other structural information.