Biomolecular Analysis Facility (BAF) The Biomolecular Analysis Facility (BAF) was redeveloped during 2004-05 with new state-of-the-art technology and upgrades to existing equipment. The instrumentation is being used for the analysis of biologically interesting secondary metabolites and proteins based on mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The new technology is more than one hundred times more sensitive than the equipment previously used at AIMS and will enable quicker and more accurate investigations into chemical relationships in the marine environment. The on-line combination of liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (LC-MS-NMR) is unique in Australia and represents a boost to North Queensland’s marine science capacity. AIMS has been researching biologically important molecules in the marine environment since the early 1990s. The suite of instrumentation, fully operational since the middle of 2005, positions the Institute at the cutting edge of chemical analysis. Instruments currently used at the Biomolecular Facility are: Bruker BioApex 47e Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (FTMS) Bruker Esquire 3000+ quadrupole ion trap LC-mass spectrometer (LC-MS) Bruker AC300P 300MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometer. Bruker Avance 600 three channel 600MHz NMR with cryoprobe Bruker automated NMR sample changer (CASE) Bruker Esquire 3000 quadrupole ion trap LC-mass spectrometer (LC-MS) Bruker Efficient Sample Transfer (BEST) system with flow probe for LC-NMR Bruker NMR-MS interface (BNMI) for advanced hyphenation LC-MS-NMR Spark Prospekt robotic SPE for LC fraction trapping and NMR analysis Following is a partial listing of the Institute’s research efforts supported by the BAF: Mariculture Determination of the primary structure of neuropeptides in P.monodon Investigation of the variability of neuropeptides during reproductive/moult cycles in P.monodon Analysis of the role of small molecules in the determination of egg viability in P.monodon. Determination of neuropeptide partial sequence for DNA probe design, cDNA amplification and subsequent in vitro protein expression Confirmation of the primary structure of proteins expressed in vitro Identification of proteins isolated from 2D-PAGE gels Marine Bioproducts Structure elucidation of bioactive compounds Dereplication of bioactive targets in marine macro- and micro-organisms Screening marine fungi for brominated metabolites Investigating chemical cues for settlement of coral larvae Seasonal variability in sponge secondary metabolites Investigations of marine toxins Investigations of anti-oxidant functions in marine organisms The instrumentation is also available to support other research efforts in the region, most notably at James Cook University, but also including some commercial ventures. Further information regarding the Biomolecular Analysis Facility is available from the facility manager: e-Mail Cherie Motti Telephone (07) 4753 4143