Index
Chromatography and Molecular Separations Group – People and Projects
Brad, Con, Jackie, Tin, Keaw, James, Phil, Stefan,
Richard, Sonja, Paul, Marco, Melanie, Michael, Rebekka
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People |
Projects |
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Applications of targeted and comprehensive gas chromatography in cosmetics and personal care |
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Comprehensive gas chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques for screening of environmental pollutants |
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Marine oil seeps and air-borne particulates characterisation for organic compositional fingerprinting by using novel gas chromatographic technologies |
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Paul Morrison |
Technical Specialist- Maintaining analytical instruments and installation of GCxGC modulators. Also supports undergraduate research and teaching |
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Development of derivatization and separation techniques for metabolomics. |
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Rodney Hau Chung Fung |
Capillary electrophoresis methods applied to the analysis of micronutrients in foods |
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Application of GCxGC in forensic drug profiling |
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Advances in multidimensional liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry detection |
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Metabolomics (Lipidomics) |
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Environmental effects on flavour development in Australian varieties of strawberry |
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Perfume haracterization quality and quantification |
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Herbal medication separation and spectroscopic methods for quality control |
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Development of high resolution coffee analysis methods |
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Multi-way analysis in comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography |
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Bussayarat Maikhunthod |
Evaluation of volatile aroma compounds in packaged herbs and spices |
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Pharmacochemistry and pharmacokinetic studies of Zuojin pill |
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Investigation of multidimensional and comprehensive methods in liquid chromatography |
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Study of multidimensional chromatographic and spectrometric approaches for the analysis of wine and related odourants |
Michael S. Dunn
Applications of targeted and comprehensive gas chromatography in cosmetics and personal care
Position: PhD student
Commenced: February 2005
Supervisor: Prof Philip Marriott and Dr Robert Shellie
Project summary
To develop and investigate the potential of targeted multidimensional gas chromatography (tMDGC) as a routine technique for the targeted analysis of specific compounds within complex matrices. Following this, the addition of mass detection as a third analytical dimension will also be studied. By using switching methods (eg Deans Switch) in MDGC, fast MDGC will be developed to provide rapid, high sensitivity and high resolution analysis of complex mixtures.
Weeraya Khummueng (Keaw)
Comprehensive gas chromatography techniques for screening of environmental pollutants
Position: PhD student
Commenced: February 2004
Supervisor: Prof Phillip Marriott and Dr Craige Trenerry
Project summary
The aims of this research study are to develop the fundamentals and principles of multidimensional gas chromatography (MDGC), comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) and various operational modes of Longitudinal Modulated Cryogenic System (LMCS) for environmental samples, including the use of mass spectrometric detection protocols. In order to successfully analyse environmental samples, the suitable sample preparation methods will be used under collaborative arrangements in this research project with the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Werribee. Various specific detectors (ECD, NPD) are used with GCxGC in this research.
Tin Tran
Marine oil seeps and air-borne particulates characterisation for organic compositional fingerprinting by using novel gas chromatographic technologies.
Position: PhD student
Commenced: February 2005
Supervisor: Prof Philip Marriott
Project summary
- Characterisation of marine oil seeps using GC×GC technologies. Fingerprint the complete organic chemical composition, of oil seeps and signatures in recent marine sediments on the ocean floor and demonstrate the use of chemical class separation capabilities of GCxGC for petrochemical characterisation.
- Characterisation of air-borne particulates using GC×GC technologies and conducting organic residue analysis of air-borne particulates. Study the effects of contributions of various sources bound to urban particulates. Various methods such as thermal desorption injection, and microscale sample preparation procedures will be used for PM 2.5 filter samples.
- Use of GCxGC-FID/NPD/ECD/TOFMS to understand the composition of smoke and aroma profiles from burning of incense.
Konstantinos Andrew Kouremenos
Development of derivatization and separation techniques for metabolite profiling.
Position: PhD student
Commenced: March 2006
Supervisor: Prof. Philip Marriott
Project summary
Metabolomics has been defined as the quantitative measurement of all low molecular weight metabolites in an organism’s cells at a specified time under specific environmental conditions. Metabolomics currently spans from many biological samples to carbon-nitrogen interactions in plants , through to the development of personal metabolomics as the next step of nutritional assessment in humans. It has been reported that the plant kingdom contains an estimated 200,000 primary and secondary metabolites.
The current methods for studying metabolomic samples involve: nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), liquid chromatography (LC), capillary electrophoresis (CE), and gas chromatography (GC), with CE, LC and GC often being accompanied by the use of mass spectrometric (MS) detection. Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) is a recently emerging technology in which the resolving power of two different columns (one polar and one non- polar) is applied to some or all the components in the sample. The importance of using a GCxGC separation approach for the analysis of complex biological samples (such as metabolite extracts) is to be investigated and demonstrated as to be beneficial to the community and industry through biofluids (urine, plasma, serum), tissues and intra-cellular metabolites (microbial, plant or animal).
Blagoj Mitrevski
Application of GCxGC in forensic drug profiling
Position: PhD student
Commenced: March 2007
Supervisor: Prof Philip Marriott
Project Summary
Illicit drugs are rarely pure substances. Among the main or active compound, they contain many other substances (natural components, by-products, cutting agents), thus representing a complex mixture. The range of compounds found in the drugs and their varied amounts, requires more comprehensive analysis to be done, resulting in chemical profiles, also known as “signatures” or “impurity profiles” of the drug.
The current methods for drug profiling are mainly based on conventional gas chromatography coupled with different detectors (FID, MS, NPD, ECD). This project focuses on applying the improved separation power of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography to drug profiling. Different column arrangements, various types of drugs that might lead to alternative strategies for data analysis, and other critical information will be investigated. Method applicability to real drug samples, e.g. heroin, cocaine, synthetic drugs, will be tested.
Mende Joveski
Advances in multidimensional liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry detection
Position: PhD student
Commenced: April 2001
Supervisor: Prof Philip Marriott
Project summary
Recently, advances have been made towards two-dimensional liquid chromatography as a means of increasing peak capacity and gaining greater resolution through column switching. With the use of two different columns and mobile phases, an orthogonal separation is achieved. An orthogonal separation using different stationary and mobile phases can provide a greater peak capacity and more detailed retention characteristics due to two different separation mechanisms. For example a C4 column could be used in the first dimension and a fast and short C18 column in the second dimension. Phenyl and cyano stationary phases will also be investigated. Valve switching is achieved by using an electronically controlled 6, 8 or 10 port valve.
Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ES-MS), is a viable detection technique in micro H.P.L.C due to the compatibility of the low flow rates - typically up to 10uL/min. Cold temperature trapping in a two dimensional micro H.P.L.C system using a fast second dimension is explored in this project as a means of peak focusing and gaining sensitivity using a temperature controlled trapping device. A cold region will trap and concentrate analytes of interest before elution onto the second
Elsuida Kondo
Position: PhD student
Commenced: March 2008
Supervisor: Prof Philip Marriott
Project Summary
Broad screening tools for measurement of the metabolite profile of plants and other organisms require effective sampling and analytical capabilities. The RMIT ACROSS extraction facility, and experience in derivatisation (eg microwave derivatisation), will be combined with GC×GC and GC×GC/MS to develop a basic technology for complex multicomponent metabolite and lipid analysis. GC×GC combined with chemometric methods will provide the identification power to give an overall analytical quantitative measure of individual chemical species, and importantly, identify the chemical differences between samples suites. Project accomplishments will be directly relevant to many metabolite profiling studies both in Australia and internationally. Biochemical monitoring of environmental effects on living systems, effects of drugs on biochemical pathways, a deeper understanding of the underlying chemistry in systems biology, and the role of plant breeding in producing desirable outcomes in plant characteristics, means metabolite profiling is increasingly important to identifying chemical markers.
Kavitha Samykanno
Environmental effects on flavour development in Australian varieties of strawberry.
Position: PhD student
Commenced: March 2008
Project summary
The project will investigate the effects of various environmental factors, e.g. light intensity, water availability, day/night temperatures and seasonal fluctuations on the development of flavour compounds in Australian and imported varieties of strawberry.
Strawberry aroma and flavour are thought to be the sum products of over 300 chemical compounds. The production of these compounds during the maturation phase of strawberry fruit has been found by a number of researchers overseas to be influenced by plant genotype, day/night temperature, light intensity/duration and other factors such as soil type, soil moisture and even mulch colour. While these effects are reasonably documented for overseas varieties, information is extremely limited for Australian-bred varieties grown locally. As different plant genotypes respond differently to the same range of environmental stimuli, a phenomenon geneticists refer to as genotype by environment (GxE) interaction, the information derived from overseas research may be used only as a rough guide, and should not be extrapolated for Australian varieties. There is a need, therefore, to perform such studies locally, and to monitor closely the effects of environmental factors on flavour development in local varieties.
Dr Jacqui Adcock
Development and implementation of routine fast comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography for quality control of essential oil and perfume products
Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Commenced: April 2008
Project Summary: The aim of this project is to develop routine fast comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography methods for quality control in the flavour and fragrance industry. The scope of this project includes development of the method: selection of column sets, temperature programs, sample preparation, detector settings, and cryotrap parameters; method validation; data analysis and interpretation; software development; production of standard operating procedures; and final implementation of the developed methods.
The project also involves investigations into fundamental aspects of two-dimensional gas chromatography, such as recognition of peak intensity patterns based on the modulation ratio, and the effect of the modulation period on apparent and actual first dimension retention times.
Boon Kim Tan
Optimization case study of the fingerprint profiling of phytochemicals and volatile oils in Salviae miltiorrhizae (Danshen) by LC-MS/MS, LC-NMR and GCxGC-MS
Position: Masters Student
Commenced: March 2008
Supervisor: Prof Philip Marriott
Project summary
The efficacy, consistency and quality of herbal medicines is dependent on the phytochemicals present in the plants used in these medicines. There is variation in the phytochemicals due to growing conditions (weather and geography), treatments, and the type of plant species used. Chromatographic fingerprint profiling is a common technique used in screening the amount of phytochemicals in herbal plants and herbal medicinal products. This project will focus on optimizing the extraction of phytochemicals of Danshen using advanced extraction methods. The optimization of fingerprint profiles and chemical characterization will be carried out using LC-MS and LC-NMR.
The study of the volatile oils in Danshen will be carried out using solid-phase microextraction in conjunction with comprehensive gas chromatography techniques. GCxGC-FID and GCxGC-TOFMS will be used to optimize and characterize the fingerprint profile of the volatile oils in Danshen. This fingerprint profiling will assist in the evaluation of the quality of herbal plants for cultivation, harvesting and final products.
Christian Ruehle
High resolution coffee profiling by using GC×GC and GC×GC-MS
Position: International Visitor
Commenced: March 08
Project Summary
The aims of this research are to collect volatile compounds from coffee while using and comparing different extraction methods. Collecting the main compounds by using GC x GC with external cryo-trap and identification of the collected compounds by using GC x GC/MS TOF and NMR.
Rhiannon Parker
Multi-Way Analysis in Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography
Position: PhD student
Commenced: March 2008
Supervisors: Prof. Mike Adams and Prof. Philip Marriott
Project summary
This project seeks to develop multi-way analysis techniques for the interpretation of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) data. The technique is data rich and requires advanced chemometric methodologies to extract the relevant information. The multi-way techniques developed in this project will allow the improved interpretation of GCxGC data and open up the technique to a wider variety of applications (e.g. clinical analysis).
Grace Gao
Serum Pharmacochemistry and Pharmacokinetic Studies of Zuojin Pill
Position: International PhD student
Commenced: January 2009
Supervisors: Prof. Philip Marriott
Project summary
The Zuo Jin Pill (ZJP) which contains Coptis-Evodia powder (6:1 g/g) is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat gastro-intestinal disorders. The two herbs contain hundreds of compounds. The efficacy of the major compounds will be investigated in this research. The chemical composition of the components of ZJP and the mechanisms involved have not been fully elucidated. Based on theory of serum Pharmacochemistry, Pharmacokinetics of TCM, and the advanced analysis techniques of HPLC, LC-MS/MS, LC-NMR , this project will focus on elucidating basic properties of bioactive constituents of ZJP by analyzing the samples of ZJP, Coptis and Evodia both in vitro and in vivo, and investigating effect of compatibility on qualitative change and quantitative change of active constituents in vivo for systematically clarifying compatibility principles of ZJP.
Grace Wu
Investigation of multidimensional and comprehensive methods in liquid chromatography
Position: International PhD student
Commenced: February 2009
Supervisors: Prof. Philip Marriott
Project summary
The method of liquid chromatography is widely used in many laboratories around the world. It is almost always operated in a single-dimension separation mode, thus a single column is used to provide separation. Unfortunately, the usually low peak capacity and total separation space available in a single column does not allow for a high separation power for LC. This means that many compounds will overlap in LC, and this compromises the ability to produce single analyte peaks in LC. Whilst mass spectrometry addresses to problem of poor resolution by permitting selected monitoring of specific ions, the separation shortfall in liquid chromatography still limits the applicability of this approach for multi-component separations.
The present project seeks to apply the gas chromatography experience that has been acquired in the ACROSS laboratory at RMIT, but now to the technology of liquid chromatography.
MDLC and LCxLC will be developed as new capabilities for increasing the separation power of LC. Compounds of interest in this work will be polymeric, petroleum and natural product extracts. Both ultra-performance liquid chromatography and monolithic column formats will allow for very high second dimension column separations generated in LCxLC, and high pressure valves will permit the hyphenation of low-pressure and high pressure flow streams. Micro-technology (micro-fluidic) methods will be employed as a new approach to multidimensional and comprehensive 2D liquid chromatography. It is anticipated that this project will yield considerable basic data on methods for implementation of different MDLC and LCxLC procedures, and valuable demonstration of the use of these techniques for practical problem solving in the chromatographic sciences.
Chin Sung Tong
Study of multidimensional chromatographic and spectrometric approaches for the analysis of wine and related odourants
Position: International PhD student
Commenced: February 2009
Supervisors: Prof. Philip Marriott
Project summary
This project seeks to develop multi-way analysis techniques for the interpretation of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) data. The technique is data rich and requires advanced chemometric methodologies to extract the relevant information. The multi-way techniques developed in this project will allow the improved interpretation of GCxGC data and open up the technique to a wider variety of applications (e.g. clinical analysis).
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