Understanding the intrinsic properties of molecules, molecular building blocks and aggregates is key to realizing the bottom-up design of functional molecules, such as drugs and other therapeutic targets. We explore such molecular units in isolation, for example, via the pristine gas phase environment of specially modified mass spectrometers.
Electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) is an effective technique for characterising molecules, including those involving non-covalent interactions. Additionally, ion-mobility spectrometry (IMS) has emerged as a very powerful technique for examining structure. IMS is ideal for examining the size and shape of non-covalent complexes. It offers the advantage of isomer separation on the millisecond timescale, and measurement of the assembly’s topology, and as such, enables the study of conformational dynamics within that time frame e.g. monitoring the progress of molecular self-assembly reactions, drug binding processes etc. Together ESI-MS and IMS represent two complementary analytical methods of monitoring reaction solutions on a millisecond timescale.
Unique techniques used in the Rijs group include:
- advanced electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry and ion-mobility mass spectrometry
- robotic analysis of dynamic combinatorial solutions & screening of chemical data sets,
- electronic structure and trajectory methods of computation for structure and function
We are currently seeking enthusiastic students to be involved in projects looking at Zwitter ion structure, templating of supramolecular species, structural screening of combinatorial libraries, encapsulation phenomena and analysis using specialist ion sources.
How to Apply
Please contact Dr Nicole J. Rijs at n.rijs@unsw.edu.au for more detail and to set a meeting to discuss your specific research interests.
School / Research Area
Chemistry
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