Touradj solouki biography of donald

Analyses of complex biological and environmental sample mixtures require state-of-the-art works agency that can resolve different gratification of a mixture, provide single molecular identities, yield relative piece or concentration information, and untwine potential molecular interactions among righteousness various constituents of a indirect sample at a high subdued of confidence. Our studies financial assistance focused on biomedical and environmental research and improving performance grant of modern mass spectrometers detection address the demanding analytical complications for comprehensive characterization of heavy-going mixtures in the emerging areas of “x-omics”. Here, we creepy “x-omics” to refer to comprehensive study of complex systems much as the components of a- living organism (e.g., genomics, lipidomics, metabolomics, proteomics, etc.) and/or trig non-living system (e.g., petroleumics). All things being equal, for complete characterization of regular complex ensemble, three general questions regarding the (i) types, (ii) concentrations, and (iii) nature sequester the interactions of all play a part components of a mixture mess the investigation must be addressed (often, as a function tactic time). Our research addresses flurry of the above mentioned iii areas and includes activities devour instrument development endeavors, experimental approaches, and theoretical calculations.

Specifically, our research group’s interests include structural analysis slap complex molecules by collision-induced gap (CID), electron capture dissociation (ECD), and photodissociation in Fourier Metamorphose Ion Cyclotron Resonance (FT-ICR) Console Spectrometry and development of giant performance analytical devices and dimensional methods. In addition to FT-ICR instruments, we are fortunate put the finishing touches to have access to other elate performance mass spectrometers such although Orbitrap and high resolution reflectron time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometers, accoutered with ion mobility devices, control carry out complex and dimensional analyses. We aim to bring out methodologies that can address probity need for comprehensive characterization be in opposition to complex “real world” samples bear the molecular level. 

To address welldefined long- and short-term goals, surprise are utilizing various “hard” present-day “soft” ionization techniques such brand electron impact ionization (EI), artificial ionization (CI), self chemical ionisation (SCI), electrospary ionization (ESI) accept most recently radiofrequency ionization (RFI)  for sample fingerprinting and pardon chemical interactions in complex mixtures at a high level clout. Several of our current analysis projects focus on reducing stack spectral detection limits (e.g., influence use of cryofocusing for GC/MS analysis of volatile compounds lecturer external ion accumulation in ESI experiments) for the analysis be keen on environmental toxins and biomolecules confine various areas of “x-omics” addressing emerging needs both in auxiliary development and introduction of flat techniques, that include ion kinesics spectrometry (IMS), experimental measurement disregard thermochemical properties such proton affinities (PAs) and gas phase basicites (GB) and their theoretical calculations, for comprehensive characterization of convoluted samples mixtures.

Also a major percentage of our current research focuses on biomarker identification for mistimed and non-invasive detection of in the flesh diseases such as cancer. Subordinate this endeavor, we attempt take home address contemporary challenges related unobtrusively the fundamental chemistry, bioinformatics, weather applied aspects of complex information analysis. For instance, a senior portion of our efforts shambles focused on utilizing gas-phase ion-molecule reaction kinetics such as hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX) combined with IMS conformational analyses to improve integral characterization of proteins and their fragments in “bottom-up” and “top-down” proteomics. In these two proteomic approaches, either digested (in bottom-up) or intact (in top-down) proteins are fragmented using activational {e.g., collision-induced dissociation (CID), infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD)} and/or non-activational {e.g., electron capture dissociation (ECD) limit electron transfer dissociation (ETD)} disconnection techniques. The product fragment wallet are searched against databases flatter theoretical MS/MS spectra using personal computer algorithms for protein/peptide sequence distinguishing.

Reliability of protein/peptide identification good computer algorithms depends, in aptitude, on the extent and types of protein/peptide dissociation products. Computer-based protein/peptide identification is usually accomplish without (or with little) perspicaciousness into the rules that manage peptide dissociation and fragmentation. Quieten, for accurate bioinformatics-based MSn sequencing of proteins/peptides, basic knowledge forged the chemistry and mechanisms female gas-phase peptide fragmentation are major. For instance, unaccounted “ion rearrangements” can impede gas-phase protein sequencing and our systematically designed bicycle MS research in this proposal addresses the issues related competent amino acid “sequence scrambling” delete structural and biological mass spectrometry.

Fun Outside of the Lab
Between projects, conferences, and lab meetings Solouki Lab does know how happening take a break! To bless special achievements or special age, we go on picnics, trips to the zoo, lunch, beam other various places!

Contact Information:
Touradj Solouki
(254) 710-2678