One of the most powerful tools available to those who dabble in complex, biologically active organic molecules is the mass spectrometer (MS). For longer chain biodiesel precursors, biopolymers, and similar molecules, The Ohio State University Department of Chemistry now has a new Bruker micrOTOF MS that can expand research capabilities critical to the synthesis and purification needed for research in green chemistry and related fields. Researcher, Dr. Craig Forsyth, was recruited to OSU to bring innovative MS-based work to the Department. The micrOTOF and Bruker maldiTOF mass spectrometers are part of the Chemistry Department’s new shared MS lab that supports his work on complex molecule synthesis, and are available to campus researchers and companies associated with the Ohio BioProducts Innovation Center (OBIC).

According to Forsyth, the micrOTOF “is tremendous and gives experimentalists extremely fast data on the chemical composition of their molecules of interest.” Dr. Forsyth is studying biologically active, natural compounds with unique structures indigenous to the biological environment. Such molecules could have potential medical applications after they have been completely characterized – which is how the MS advances the work.

"On chemical biology fronts, we are engaged in defining the structural bases for selective protein serine-threonine inhibition; elucidating the mode and mechanism of action of the phorboxazole, thyrsiferyl, and apratoxin natural products; and developing broad antibody-based assays for the detection of marine toxins," says Forsyth. With support from OBIC, the output of this research has potential applications in developing assays for foodstuffs. Similarly, the work could also proceed towards synthesizing toxins that could be used as biomedical tools.

Companies and organizations affiliated with OBIC can gain access to the micrOTOF MS facility. All users, independent of experience level will need to obtain training from the facility personnel to ensure that the MS equipment is used optimally and obtains as much appropriate data as possible.

The Ohio State University's Department of Chemistry includes over 40 faculty members and a nationally recognized undergraduate and graduate program, with comprehensive facilities and equipment in five divisions: analytical, inorganic, organic, physical and biological. Interdisciplinary collaborations have led to development of the NSF-Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center (polymer science and nanotechnology), NSF-Environmental Molecular Sciences Institute, and an NSF- Industry University Cooperative Research Center (sensors). Faculty members have played leadership roles in establishing the Ohio Supercomputer Center and the Campus Chemical Instrumentation Center. Research includes the innovative use of inorganic and organic catalysts in the polymerization of biobased polymers to produce desirable product properties, as well as novel bio-based polymer blends.

The Ohio BioProducts Innovation Center (OBIC) is a new research initiative that integrates academia and industry toward the development of renewable specialty chemicals, polymers/plastics and advanced materials. The Center was funded in 2005 by the Ohio Department of Development through an $11.5 million Wright Center of Innovation (Third Frontier) award, leveraged with matching funds from external partners. OBIC was created to develop novel germplasms; connect related agricultural and chemical industry components; accelerate commercialization; increase jobs and economic growth/stability; catalyze strategic investments in renewable feedstocks and value-added chemicals and polymers; work with industry to create value chains for bioproducts; leverage platform building blocks/chemicals to create a bioproducts innovation pipeline; and create platform technologies.

OSU Dept of Chemistry

OSU MS Facility in the Chemistry Dept