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
Brabham RL
(2020)
Rapid sodium periodate cleavage of an unnatural amino acid enables unmasking of a highly reactive a-oxo aldehyde for protein bioconjugation.
in Organic & biomolecular chemistry
Keenan T
(2020)
Profiling Substrate Promiscuity of Wild-Type Sugar Kinases for Multi-fluorinated Monosaccharides.
in Cell chemical biology
Ferreira TR
(2020)
PRMT7 regulates RNA-binding capacity and protein stability in Leishmania parasites.
in Nucleic acids research
Lia A
(2020)
Partial catalytic Cys oxidation of human GAPDH
in Wellcome Open Research
Richards SJ
(2020)
Introducing affinity and selectivity into galectin-targeting nanoparticles with fluorinated glycan ligands.
in Chemical science
Brabham R
(2020)
Correction: Rapid sodium periodate cleavage of an unnatural amino acid enables unmasking of a highly reactive a-oxo aldehyde for protein bioconjugation
in Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry
Sturm S
(2020)
The structure of the Drosophila melanogaster sex peptide: Identification of hydroxylated isoleucine and a strain variation in the pattern of amino acid hydroxylation.
in Insect biochemistry and molecular biology
McGregor NGS
(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
Souter P
(2020)
Identification of mesenchymal stromal cell survival responses to antimicrobial silver ion concentrations released from orthopaedic implants.
in Scientific reports
Lia A
(2020)
Partial catalytic Cys oxidation of human GAPDH to Cys-sulfonic acid.
in Wellcome open research
Rodrigues AM
(2021)
Pinus pinaster Early Hormonal Defence Responses to Pinewood Nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) Infection.
in Metabolites
Leadbeater DR
(2021)
Mechanistic strategies of microbial communities regulating lignocellulose deconstruction in a UK salt marsh.
in Microbiome
Goodby J
(2021)
Janus mesophases of matter
in Liquid Crystals
Chidwick HS
(2021)
Reconstitution and optimisation of the biosynthesis of bacterial sugar pseudaminic acid (Pse5Ac7Ac) enables preparative enzymatic synthesis of CMP-Pse5Ac7Ac.
in Scientific reports
Sabbadin F
(2021)
Secreted pectin monooxygenases drive plant infection by pathogenic oomycetes.
in Science (New York, N.Y.)
Gaffney I
(2021)
Metabolomic Approaches to Studying the Response to Drought Stress in Corn (Zea mays) Cobs.
in Metabolites
Hauser JR
(2021)
Pyrene Tags for the Detection of Carbohydrates by Label-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation Mass Spectrometry*.
in Chembiochem : a European journal of chemical biology
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
Olea-Ozuna RJ
(2021)
Five structural genes required for ceramide synthesis in Caulobacter and for bacterial survival.
in Environmental microbiology
Pocock EE
(2021)
Experimental and Computational Study of a Liquid Crystalline Dimesogen Exhibiting Nematic, Twist-Bend Nematic, Intercalated Smectic, and Soft Crystalline Mesophases.
in Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Fritsch L
(2021)
Carbosilane terminated alkoxycyanobiphenyls for bistable scattering mode LCDs
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 |