Mass spectrometry at Swansea
Swansea University has had a long established history of development and innovation in mass spectrometry and chromatography.
Mass Spectrometry Research Unit
[edit]In 1975, John H. Beynon was appointed the Royal Society Research Professor and established the Mass Spectrometry Research Unit at Swansea University (at that time known as the University College of Swansea).[1] In 1986, Dai Games moved from Cardiff University to become the Units new Director.[2]
| Director of Mass Spectrometry Research Unit | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1975–1986 | 1986–2003 | 2003–2016 |
| John Beynon | Dai Games | Garteh Brenton |
In 1984, the first observation of He22+ was made at the unit, its the same as molecular hydrogen (isolectronic molecules) except it has lots more energy 3310 kJ per mole.[3]
National Mass Spectrometry Service
[edit]A grant of £670,000 was awarded in 1985 by the then Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) to establish a national Mass Spectrometry Center at Swansea University to provide an analytical service to British Universities. It was officially opened in April 1987 by Lord Callaghan. In 2002, the center was enlarged and the new laboratories were opened by Lord Morgan. Following successful £3,000,000 contract renewal Edwina Hart, the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, officially re-opened the EPSRC National Research Facility after refurbishment in 2015.[4][5]
| Director EPSRC National Mass Spectrometry Service | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986–1998 | 1998–2003 | 2003–2016 | 2016–2018 |
| James A Ballantine | Dai Games | Gareth Brenton | Steven Kelly |
| Manager of EPSRC National Mass Spectrometry Service | |
|---|---|
| 1998–2011 | 2011–2018 |
| Bridget Stein | Christopher Williams |
Biomolecular Analysis Mass Spectrometry
[edit]A Biomolecular Analysis Mass Spectrometry (BAMS) facility was officially opened in 2003, headed by Professor Newton and Dr Dudley. It was a collaborative entity between the Department of Biological Sciences and the Medical School. It focused on the study of nucleosides, nucleotides and cyclic nucleotides.[6]
Stable isotope mass spectrometry
[edit]Stable isotope mass spectrometry is conducted in the Department of Geography, and was recently used by the Landmark Trust to determine very precisely the age of the timber from Llwyn Celyn farmhouse to the year 1420.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ Cooks, Graham (April 2016). "John H. Beynon (1923–2015)". Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry. 27 (4): 561–562. Bibcode:2016JASMS..27..561C. doi:10.1007/s13361-016-1337-9. ISSN 1044-0305. PMID 26832345. S2CID 34383141.
- ^ Jones, Jonathan J. (September 2020). "Remembering Dai Games". Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry. 34 (S4): e8889. doi:10.1002/rcm.8889. ISSN 0951-4198. PMID 32657448.
- ^ Guilhaus, M; Brenton, A G; Beynon, J H; Rabrenovic, M; Schleyer, P Von Rague (1984-09-14). "First observation of He 2 2+ : charge stripping of He 2 + using a double-focusing mass spectrometer". Journal of Physics B: Atomic and Molecular Physics. 17 (17): L605–L610. Bibcode:1984JPhB...17L.605G. doi:10.1088/0022-3700/17/17/010. ISSN 0022-3700.
- ^ "Science Minister opens National Mass Spectrometry Facility after £3m contract renewal and facility refurbishment". www-2018.swansea.ac.uk. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
- ^ "National Research Facilities - EPSRC website". epsrc.ukri.org. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
- ^ "Breakthrough cover" (PDF). Retrieved 13 April 2020.
- ^ "Welsh farmstead is rare medieval hall house, experts confirm". the Guardian. 2019-01-13. Retrieved 2021-04-13.