Basim Hussain

MSc Mini-Projects

Project 1: Analysis of Glycerophospholipid (GPEtn) Complex using CAD, EID, and IRMPD, Fourier-Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry

Supervised by Professor Peter B. O'Connor

Abstract

Comprehensive structural characterisation of complex lipids, such as Glycerophospholipids (GPEs) by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) continues to present a considerable challenge. Although there have been a number of studies which have used high-resolution mass spectrometry with various fragmentation methods, detailed structural and spatial distribution of these complex lipids still remains relatively unknown. Isomeric and isobaric species have also created immense difficulty in the elucidation and identification of these lipid components, and conventional dissociation methods do not generate fragmentation that permit the isomeric discrimination relative to the position of the double bonds on the acyl chains and the branching points on the glycerol backbone. In this investigation, direct infusion by nano-electrospray ionisation tandem-in-time MS/MS with collisionally-activated dissociation (CAD), electron induced dissociation (EID) and infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD) were used for the detailed structural characterisation of L-α-Phosphatidylethanolamine, dioleoyl (GPEtn). This method enabled site-specific localisation of the double bonds on the acyl chains to be determined and provided sn-positional information of the diacyl branching point on the glycerol backbone.

Project 2: Combining Quantum Mechanics-Based Calculations and NMR Spectroscopy for the Identification of Polymers

Supervised By Professor Steven P. Brown

Industry Supervisors: Dr Peter Howe and Dr Matthew Clough (Structural Chemistry and Product Characterisation, Syngenta)

Academic Background

MSc in Molecular Analytical Science - University of Warwick (2018-Current)
MSc (Distinction) in Analytical Science - University of Bradford (2015-2017)
BSc (Hons) (2.i) in Environmental Science with Chemistry - University of Bradford (2010-2014)

Previous Projects

University of Bradford MSc Dissertation: Interactions of Organic Molecules and Ceramic Clays: Method Development for the Utilisation of Direct Insertion Probe-Mass Spectrometry and Dispersive Confocal Raman Spectroscopy

Supervised by Dr Ben Stern and Dr Richard Telford

University of Bradford BSc Dissertation: Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Top Soil by means of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Supervised by Dr Ben Stern and Professor Carl Heron