SFU is seeking a Gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) for analysis of organic compounds.
Research Overview:
Our research is focused on chemoreception (mostly olfaction, the sense of smell) in insects and mites. We study pheromone olfaction in the gypsy moth, host detection in other moths, general and pheromone olfaction in bees and host detection in varroa mites. As part of that research we synthesize and analyze pheromones and other odorants. We also analyze trimethylsilyl derivatives of various odorants and lipids (e.g. fatty acids). Compounds that interest us in terms of GC-MS include: hydrocarbons (C12-C25), monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, fatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, green leaf volatiles and volatile aromatic compounds (e.g. phenylpropanoids, dialkoxybenzenes).
We also research mechanisms and new reactions of cytochrome P450cam. In this program we are interested in monoterpenes and their derivatives, endosulfan and its derivatives (e.g. endosulfan diol, lactone or ether), as well as phenolic compounds (which are analyzed as trimethylsilyl ethers).
In both projects we sometimes generate stable isotope labeled compounds, for which we need to quantify the label incorporation. Furthermore, we need high sensitivity, for example, when tracking volatiles in a bee hive or emanating from a plant.
The main users of the GC-MS will be trainees at the undergraduate, graduate (M. Sc. and Ph. D.) and postdoctoral levels. Trainees learn routine use of the instrument and daily monitoring, as well as maintenance procedures, such as pump oil changes, GC maintenance and filament assembly change. Therefore, the instrument should be very robust and relatively easy to maintain. For our work we mostly use 30 m x 0.25 mm and 0.25 um “5” (i. e. with 5% phenyl groups) fused silica capillary columns.
