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Gary J. Van Berkel BA: Chemistry, Lawrence University (1982) Oak Ridge National Laboratory |
Keywords:
Mass spectrometry, electrospray fundamentals, derivatization for electrospray, eletrochemistry/mass spectrometry, tandem mass spectrometry, porphyrins, conductive polymers
Description of Research:
My research interests, while focused upon mass spectrometry, are quite broad. Both fundamentals and applications of organic, biological, and inorganic mass spectrometric instrumentation and methods are currently part of my research effort. Other analytical techniques, particularly spectrophotometry and electrochemistry, are used as tools in this mass spectrometry (MS) research.
One aspect of my research involves the development of derivatization reagents to enhance the detection and structure determination of analytes using electrospray (ES)-MS.
Initial research into the electrochemical aspects of ES inspired an exploration of the use of electron-transfer chemistry, both chemical and electrochemical, in ES-MS. That area of work is now focused on interfacing electrochemistry and mass spectrometry. Electrochemical cells coupled on-line are being used to both study redox reactions and to create novel ions for study by ES-MS. Of significant interest as well is what is called "electrochemically-modulated" sample handling and separation methods. Applied to date by us for the preconcentration and cleanup of inorganics prior to analysis by ICP-MS or ES-MS, this method also may be applied to organic and biological analytes. We are also using the on-line electrochemistry to study conductive polymer formation.
I also have a historical interest (going back to graduate school) in the development of new and better mass spectrometric methods for the analysis of porphyrins. The chemistry of porphyrins is rich, and much fundamental data exists regarding their spectroscopy and electrochemsitry. Thus, porphyrins have also been used as model compounds in many of my MS studies.
Selected Publications:
- Van Berkel, G. J.; Ford, M. J.; Doktycz, M. J.; Kennel, S. J. “Evaluation of a Surface Sampling Probe Electrospray Mass Spectrometry System for the Analysis of Surface Deposited and Affinity Captured Proteins.” Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom., submitted.
- Van Berkel, G. J.; Kertesz, V. “Novel Use of a Battery-Powered Two-Electrode Emitter Cell for Electrospray Mass Spectrometry,” J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom., submitted.
- Van Berkel, G. J.; Kertesz, V. “Expanded Electrochemical Capabilities of the Electrospray Ion Source using Porous Flow-Through Electrodes as the Upstream Ground and Emitter High Voltage Contact,” Anal. Chem., 2005, 77, 8041-8049
- Kertesz, V.; Ford, M. J.; Van Berkel, G. J. "Automation of a Surface Sampling Probe/Electrospray Mass Spectrometry System," Anal. Chem. 2005, 77, 7183-7189.
- Asano, K. G.; Ford, M. J.; Tomkins, B. A.; Van Berkel, G. J. "Self-Aspirating Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Source for Direct Sampling of Analytes on Surfaces and in Liquid Solutions," Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 2005, 19, 2305-2312.
- Ford, M. J.; Deibel, M. A.; Tomkins, B. A.; Van Berkel, G. J. "Quantitative Thin-Layer Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Caffeine using a Surface Sampling Probe Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry System," Anal. Chem. 2005, 77, 4385-4389.
- Kertesz, V.; Van Berkel G. J.; Granger, M. C. "Study and Application of a Controlled-Potential Electrochemistry - Electrospray Emitter for Electrospray Mass Spectrometry," Anal. Chem., 2005, 77, 4366-4373.
- Cable-Dunlap, P.; DeGange, J. J.; Nichols, L. S.; Duckworth, D. C.; Park, S. H.; Van Berkel, G. J. "Interface of a Particle Collector with an On-Line Electrochemically-Modulated Separation System for Analysis of Airborne Radioisotopes," J. Radioanal. Nuc. Chem. 2005, 263, 177-181.
- Van Berkel, G. J.; Ford, M. J.; Deibel, M. A. "Thin Layer Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Coupled using Desorption Electrospray Ionization," Anal. Chem., 2005, 77, 1207-1215.
- VerBerkmoes, N. C.; Hervey, W. J.; Shah, M.; Land, M.; Hauser, L.; Larimer, F. W.; Van Berkel, G. J.; Goeringer, D. E. "Evaluation of "Shotgun" Proteomics for Identifcatin of Biological Threat Agents in Complex Environmental Matirces: Experiemntal Simulations," Anal. Chem., 2005, 77, 923-932.
- Ford, M. J.; Kertesz, V.; Van Berkel, G. J. "Thin Layer Chromatography/Electrospray Ionization Triple Quadrupole Linear Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry System: Analysis of Rhodamine Dyes Separated on Reversed Phase C8 Plates," J. Mass Spectrometry, 2005, in press.