Research Projects

Overview

The Smith lab research program focuses on developing innovative mass spectrometry (MS)-based approaches to investigate a wide range of molecules in real-world applications. A main component of the group focuses on lipids and how they change in response to cellular stimuli, disease states, or environmental conditions. These dynamic measurements can provide mechanistic insight into cellular processes and improve our understanding of biological systems. Another cornerstone of the program is proteomics, the study of proteins. The lab uses microfluidic technologies in combination with MS to efficiently analyze biological samples, investigate changes in protein abundance, and characterize post-translational modifications, providing insight into how cells communicate with and respond to their environment. Lastly, the Smith lab has developed a chemical derivatize technique called trimethylation enhancement using diazomethane (TrEnDi). The method increases the sensitivity of mass spectrometric detection by assigning a fixed, permanent positive charge to amino groups and neutralizing phosphate and carboxylic acid groups. TrEnDi has been applied to a wide range of analytes in including peptides, lipids, opioids, neurotransmitters, and herbicides, highlighting its applicability to a variety of MS applications.

Instrumentation

The Smith lab uses mass spectrometry as a tool to probe the dynamics of various biomolecules. At present, the laboratory partners with the Carleton Mass Spectrometry Centre (CMSC), providing access to high-resolution hybrid quadrupole time of flight and triple quadrupole mass spectrometers. All of these instruments achieve ionization via electrospray ionization and are coupled to high performance liquid chromatographs. The lab additionally houses two gas chromatography-MS systems, one equipped with a headspace sampler, and an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer.