Date of Award

Fall 2009

Project Type

Thesis

Program or Major

Chemistry

Degree Name

Master of Science

First Advisor

Vernon Reinhold

Abstract

N-linked glycans from a well-studied glycoprotein, (hen albumin) were characterized using ion trap MS (MSn) without chromatographic separation. From the spectral profile, ten major ion compositions were selected for study, which resulted in the characterization of 37 isomeric structures, 16 of which were previously unreported. These findings were compared with previously reported studies using different analytical strategies: IMMS, MS/MS. MSn not only identifies but also structurally characterizes components in the absence of any adjunct instrumentation. Selected examples have been detailed.

A major challenge for adult stem cell (ASC) research is the lack of specific biomarkers for their identification and isolation. In this study, carbohydrates were evaluated as candidate biomarkers that mimic the defining property of ASCs, asymmetric self-renewal. Composition differences, ASC-specific structures and the distribution of structural branching patterns were discovered as ASC-specific biomarkers using ion trap MSn.

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