Core Capability - University of York
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
The Chemistry Department in York is one of University's largest research-led departments, with approximately 50 academic staff, 57-research fellows, 136 PhD (30 funded by EPSRC, 12 by NERC), and 14 MSc/MRes research students. Our chemical analyses are critical for the publication of research articles and these are made at a number of leading research centres for example, the York Centre of Excellence in Mass Spectrometry (CoEMS), York Centre for Magnetic Resonance (YCMR), York JEOL Nanocentre, and the Centre for Hyperpolarisation in Magnetic Resonance (CHyM). This bid is made for new/replacement equipment to support our leading research in the following activities:
NMR Spectroscopy: We seek funding for a 400 MHz solid state NMR system as a vital extension to our research activities, given the huge importance of solid/soft matter in numerous research and technological areas such as heterogeneous catalysis, green chemistry, materials and nano-science. In addition, we will contribute to solid state NMR methodology research, which will allow our hyperpolarization research to include NMR studies of surface species/catalysis, and also to the expansion of unconventional computational research (based on spin dynamics) that will be extended to much more complicated, time-dependent phenomena than is currently possible.
Mass Spectrometry: In collaboration with Bruker Daltonics, the Centre of Excellence in Mass Spectrometry (CoEMS) in York was supplied with a unique combination and breadth of instrumentation, the centre piece of which is our FT-ICR instrument, which was upgraded to the new solariX. FT-ICR is the method that provides the highest resolution and accuracy measurements in mass spectrometry. The specification of our current instrument (9.4T solariX) has a resolution of 1.5 x 10 sixth at m/z 400. With its MALDI and ESI sources, it is also capable of imaging MS. We now seek to upgrade the solariX to the even higher resolving power and accuracy required to capture the full range of information for increasingly complex natural mixtures like fossil- and bio-fuels and many other current analytical challenges such as the molecular-level characterization of atmospheric aerosols and probing intact proteins and protein assemblies.
Small Angle X-Ray Diffraction: "Soft-matter" comprises a family of differing materials from membrane lipids, detergents, polymers, and nanoparticles to liquid crystals; ie, systems integral to every-day-life. The properties and applications of such systems require detailed understanding of structure and local molecular organisation. Previously, structures were inferred from polarized light microscopy, however, as the complexities of the phases of functional materials increase modern X-ray diffraction has become the standard for structural characterisation. This request is directed at extending our cutting edge research on self-assembling systems, via the acquisition of a diffractometer with custom-made sample holders, to study phase structures in the bulk, in thin films, and in devices.
Fluorescence X-ray Spectroscopy: In 2009, UoY prioritised the purchase of a micro-X-ray fluorescence (Horiba XGT-7000 Micro XRF). The instrument provides non-destructive elemental analysis, beyond CHN (ppm levels), directly from the sample (solid or liquid) without digestion using hazardous strong acids (ie, mandatory for flame atomic absorption). The equipment is currently unusable and needs parts replacing and repair.
NMR Spectroscopy: We seek funding for a 400 MHz solid state NMR system as a vital extension to our research activities, given the huge importance of solid/soft matter in numerous research and technological areas such as heterogeneous catalysis, green chemistry, materials and nano-science. In addition, we will contribute to solid state NMR methodology research, which will allow our hyperpolarization research to include NMR studies of surface species/catalysis, and also to the expansion of unconventional computational research (based on spin dynamics) that will be extended to much more complicated, time-dependent phenomena than is currently possible.
Mass Spectrometry: In collaboration with Bruker Daltonics, the Centre of Excellence in Mass Spectrometry (CoEMS) in York was supplied with a unique combination and breadth of instrumentation, the centre piece of which is our FT-ICR instrument, which was upgraded to the new solariX. FT-ICR is the method that provides the highest resolution and accuracy measurements in mass spectrometry. The specification of our current instrument (9.4T solariX) has a resolution of 1.5 x 10 sixth at m/z 400. With its MALDI and ESI sources, it is also capable of imaging MS. We now seek to upgrade the solariX to the even higher resolving power and accuracy required to capture the full range of information for increasingly complex natural mixtures like fossil- and bio-fuels and many other current analytical challenges such as the molecular-level characterization of atmospheric aerosols and probing intact proteins and protein assemblies.
Small Angle X-Ray Diffraction: "Soft-matter" comprises a family of differing materials from membrane lipids, detergents, polymers, and nanoparticles to liquid crystals; ie, systems integral to every-day-life. The properties and applications of such systems require detailed understanding of structure and local molecular organisation. Previously, structures were inferred from polarized light microscopy, however, as the complexities of the phases of functional materials increase modern X-ray diffraction has become the standard for structural characterisation. This request is directed at extending our cutting edge research on self-assembling systems, via the acquisition of a diffractometer with custom-made sample holders, to study phase structures in the bulk, in thin films, and in devices.
Fluorescence X-ray Spectroscopy: In 2009, UoY prioritised the purchase of a micro-X-ray fluorescence (Horiba XGT-7000 Micro XRF). The instrument provides non-destructive elemental analysis, beyond CHN (ppm levels), directly from the sample (solid or liquid) without digestion using hazardous strong acids (ie, mandatory for flame atomic absorption). The equipment is currently unusable and needs parts replacing and repair.
Planned Impact
The University of York's proposal is based on a collective approach by the N8 universities to the EPSRC Core Capability Call. This approach is in response to the Wakeham Review of efficiencies in research funding, a report was commissioned in 2011 to explore the benefits of wider collaboration across the universities represented by the group (Prof L. Georghiou, Sharing for Excellence and Growth, 2011, http://www.n8research.org.uk/research_areas/). This report identified a strong need of the N8 group to collaborate and co-ordinate on equipment and capital costs, where this is viable. The coordinated bid from the N8 Universities is in full alignment with this recommendation.
An asset-sharing programme has been developed to create an integrated database of assets that are available for the use of researchers throughout the N8. These systems describe the research equipment in detail, including its availability, procedures for access (eg health and safety and training) and how access would be charged to another institution. Through the implementation and utilisation of this system, equipment and instrumentation funded through this application will be leveraged for a greater impact across both the individual department and the N8 organisation than if it was provided to a single institution. Furthermore, as a result the N8 Collective will be able to continue to train chemists to a standard in order to enable them to compete on national and international levels on the most relevant equipment.
An asset-sharing programme has been developed to create an integrated database of assets that are available for the use of researchers throughout the N8. These systems describe the research equipment in detail, including its availability, procedures for access (eg health and safety and training) and how access would be charged to another institution. Through the implementation and utilisation of this system, equipment and instrumentation funded through this application will be leveraged for a greater impact across both the individual department and the N8 organisation than if it was provided to a single institution. Furthermore, as a result the N8 Collective will be able to continue to train chemists to a standard in order to enable them to compete on national and international levels on the most relevant equipment.
Organisations
Publications
Mandle RJ
(2016)
Does Topology Dictate the Incidence of the Twist-Bend Phase? Insights Gained from Novel Unsymmetrical Bimesogens.
in Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Mandle RJ
(2019)
Order parameters, orientational distribution functions and heliconical tilt angles of oligomeric liquid crystals.
in Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP
Mandle RJ
(2018)
A novel nematic-like mesophase induced in dimers, trimers and tetramers doped with a high helical twisting power additive.
in Soft matter
Mandle RJ
(2019)
Molecular Flexibility and Bend in Semi-Rigid Liquid Crystals: Implications for the Heliconical Nematic Ground State.
in Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Mandle RJ
(2015)
Apolar bimesogens and the incidence of the twist-bend nematic phase.
in Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Mandle RJ
(2016)
A twist-bend nematic to an intercalated, anticlinic, biaxial phase transition in liquid crystal bimesogens.
in Soft matter
Mandle RJ
(2018)
Designing Liquid-Crystalline Oligomers to Exhibit Twist-Bend Modulated Nematic Phases.
in Chemical record (New York, N.Y.)
Mandle RJ
(2018)
A Nanohelicoidal Nematic Liquid Crystal Formed by a Non-Linear Duplexed Hexamer.
in Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)
Mandle RJ
(2017)
Rational Design of Rod-Like Liquid Crystals Exhibiting Two Nematic Phases.
in Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Mandle RJ
(2016)
A Liquid Crystalline Oligomer Exhibiting Nematic and Twist-Bend Nematic Mesophases.
in Chemphyschem : a European journal of chemical physics and physical chemistry
Mandle RJ
(2017)
Combined Microscopy, Calorimetry and X-ray Scattering Study of Fluorinated Dimesogens.
in Scientific reports
Mandle RJ
(2016)
The Dependency of Nematic and Twist-bend Mesophase Formation on Bend Angle.
in Scientific reports
McGregor N
(2020)
Rational Design of Mechanism-Based Inhibitors and Activity-Based Probes for the Identification of Retaining a- l -Arabinofuranosidases
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
McGregor NGS
(2022)
Activity-based protein profiling reveals dynamic substrate-specific cellulase secretion by saprotrophic basidiomycetes.
in Biotechnology for biofuels and bioproducts
Mertelj A
(2018)
Splay nematic phase
Mertelj A
(2019)
Orientational Order in the Splay Nematic Ground State
Mertelj A
(2018)
Splay Nematic Phase
in Physical Review X
Muñoz-Rodriguez M
(2023)
In the footsteps of Ohthere: biomolecular analysis of early Viking Age hair combs from Hedeby (Haithabu)
in Antiquity
Myburgh E
(2024)
TORC1 is an essential regulator of nutrient-controlled proliferation and differentiation in Leishmania.
in EMBO reports
Möller SR
(2022)
CRISPR/Cas9 suppression of OsAT10, a rice BAHD acyltransferase, reduces p-coumaric acid incorporation into arabinoxylan without increasing saccharification.
in Frontiers in plant science
Nam O
(2024)
A protein blueprint of the diatom CO2-fixing organelle.
in Cell
Oates NC
(2021)
A multi-omics approach to lignocellulolytic enzyme discovery reveals a new ligninase activity from Parascedosporium putredinis NO1.
in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Ogunbanwo OM
(2022)
High Concentrations of Pharmaceuticals in a Nigerian River Catchment.
in Environmental toxicology and chemistry
Olea-Ozuna R
(2024)
Genes required for phosphosphingolipid formation in Caulobacter crescentus contribute to bacterial virulence
in PLOS Pathogens
Olea-Ozuna RJ
(2021)
Five structural genes required for ceramide synthesis in Caulobacter and for bacterial survival.
in Environmental microbiology
Paskulin L
(2024)
Leave no stone unturned: Exploring the metaproteome of beerstone for the identification of archaeological beer production
in Journal of Archaeological Science
Pesante G
(2021)
Characterisation of the enzyme transport path between shipworms and their bacterial symbionts.
in BMC biology
Pesante G
(2023)
Acrylic acid and DMSP lyases in the green algae Ulva
in Algal Research
Pickles I
(2024)
Precision Activity-Based a-Amylase Probes for Dissection and Annotation of Linear and Branched-Chain Starch-Degrading Enzymes
in Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Pocock EE
(2018)
Molecular shape as a means to control the incidence of the nanostructured twist bend phase.
in Soft matter
Raghavendran V
(2020)
A microbubble-sparged yeast propagation-fermentation process for bioethanol production.
in Biotechnology for biofuels
Rey-Iglesia A
(2023)
Antlers far and wide: Biomolecular identification of Scandinavian hair combs from Ribe, Denmark, 720-900 CE
in Journal of Archaeological Science
Richards S
(2021)
Introducing affinity and selectivity into galectin-targeting nanoparticles with fluorinated glycan ligands
in Chemical Science
Rodrigues AM
(2021)
Pinus pinaster Early Hormonal Defence Responses to Pinewood Nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) Infection.
in Metabolites
Rodriguez-Barucg Q
(2024)
Environmental fluoxetine promotes skin cell proliferation and wound healing.
in Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
Sabbadin F
(2018)
An ancient family of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases with roles in arthropod development and biomass digestion.
in Nature communications
Sabbadin F
(2021)
Secreted pectin monooxygenases drive plant infection by pathogenic oomycetes.
in Science (New York, N.Y.)
Schröder SP
(2019)
Dynamic and Functional Profiling of Xylan-Degrading Enzymes in Aspergillus Secretomes Using Activity-Based Probes.
in ACS central science
Scott CJR
(2024)
Parascedosporium putredinis NO1 tailors its secretome for different lignocellulosic substrates.
in Microbiology spectrum
Scott NWJ
(2021)
A Dichotomy in Cross-Coupling Site Selectivity in a Dihalogenated Heteroarene: Influence of Mononuclear Pd, Pd Clusters, and Pd Nanoparticles-the Case for Exploiting Pd Catalyst Speciation.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Sherlock D
(2019)
Identification of the First Gene Transfer Agent (GTA) Small Terminase in Rhodobacter capsulatus and Its Role in GTA Production and Packaging of DNA.
in Journal of virology
Sia S
(2023)
Unusual mesomorphic behaviour of silyloxy-linked chiral bimesogens
in Liquid Crystals
Simpson F
(2017)
Investigating the Cusp between the nano- and macro-sciences in supermolecular liquid-crystalline twist-bend nematogens
in Journal of Materials Chemistry C
| Description | This grant was to upgrade the equipment base in the department. This has been achieved. |
| Exploitation Route | The new equipment is in constant use and underpins many current scientific investigations |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Chemicals Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | This award was to upgrade key departmental equipment. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2013 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Impact Types | Economic |