When scientists create a new compound or study an existing one, they need to understand exactly what they’re working with. A chemical compound’s behavior, safety or effectiveness can be greatly influenced by even minor changes, such as incorrect formulas or unintentional byproducts. Mass spectrometry is a technique that uses the mass-to-charge ratio of ionized molecules to enable scientists to measure even the tiniest quantities of a compound. This allows them to determine structures, identify molecular weights and detect impurities.
“This technology is incredibly versatile – an essential part of a researcher’s toolbox,” said Krishna Parsawar, director of the core facility. “Every new sample presents a challenge for us to solve, and every molecule has a story to tell.”
For more, see: https://research.arizona.edu/news/university-arizona-core-facilities-hi…