Michael W. Blades

Professor

Office: Chemistry A127
Office Phone: (604) 822-4468
Lab(s): Chemistry A104, A124
Lab Phone(s): (604) 822-2244

FAX: (604) 822-2847
Email: blades@chem.ubc.ca

Curriculum Vitae: B.Sc, St. Mary's University (1976); PhD. Alberta(G. Horlick 1981); Postdoctoral, Indiana (G.M. Hieftje, 1980-81); W.A.E. McBryde Medal, Canadian Society for Chemistry (1987); U.B.C. Killam Research Prize (1988-89), Killam Senior Fellowship (1991-92); Fisher Scientific Lecture Award, Canadian Society for Chemistry(1994); Royal Society of Chemistry Award for Analytical Spectroscopy (1996); Smiths Detection Spectroscopy Award, Canadian Spectroscopy Society (2004). Editor for Applied Spectroscopy (2009 -). Editorial Board - Analytical Chemistry (2010 -)

Analytical: Analytical Spectroscopy: ion-trap mass spectrometry; resonance multiphoton ionization mass spectrometry; photoionization sources for mass spectrometry; fiber-optic linked ultraviolet resonance Raman spectroscopy applied to biochemical and biomedical problems.

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Research/Teaching Interests

Dr. Blades' research interests involve the development, characterization, and application of optical and mass spectroscopic methods for chemical analysis.

Bioanalytical Raman Spectroscopy - A collaboration with Professor Robin Turner

The ability of ultraviolet resonance Raman spectroscopy (UVRRS) to determine structural and environmental information concerning biomolecules at low concentration in aqueous solution make it a very powerful bioanalytical and biophysical technique. Unfortunately, its utility has been limited due to experimental sampling requirements which make in-situ or in-vivo studies difficult. In a collaborative project with Professor Robin Turner (Biotechnology, U.B.C.) the performance of fiber-optic UVRRS probes are being investigated using novel for optimizing light delivery and collection efficiency using solarization resistant UV fibers. UVRRS is being used for the study of the structure and properties of proteins and peptides, DNA, and for the in-vivo detection of small molecule neurotransmitters.

Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization Mass Spectrometry

Our group is studying and developing atmospheric pressure ionization (API) sources for interfacing liquid chromatography (LC) with mass spectrometry (MS). Electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) are the most commonly used API sources for LC-MS, and they are applied for the analysis of molecular species in a wide range of settings, most notably the pharmaceutical industry. There exist, however, important classes of compounds, such as steroids, which are not ionized with adequate efficiency by ESI and APCI. In an effort to expand the range of compounds amenable to LC-MS, as well as to improve the sensitivity of LC-MS methods in general, a new ionization method, atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI), has been recently developed (Robb et al., Anal. Chem. 2000, 72, 3653-3659). APPI has since been commercialized by MDS-SCIEX as the "PhotoSpray" ion source, and it is now utilized in a diverse range of LC- MS applications. One of our ongoing research projects is aimed at elucidating the fundamental mechanisms responsible for the performance of the APPI source. As these mechanisms become better understood, ideas for improvements to the source are born. Future research projects will be undertaken to investigate improvements to the APPI source, as well as to develop additional novel API sources.

Chemistry and Chemical Composition of Atmospheric Aerosols - A collaboration with Professors Allan Bertram and John Hepburn

Aerosols, suspensions of solid or liquid particles, are ubiquitous in the atmosphere, and these aerosols are believed to be associated with respiratory disease, visibility reduction, acid deposition, and climate change. In order to quantify with certainty the importance of aerosol particles in these processes the chemistry and chemical composition of atmospheric aerosols must be first understood and quantified. In this research the goal is to acquire information that will lead to a significant improvement in the understanding of the chemistry and chemical composition of atmospheric aerosols. In the first project we are developing an advanced single particle aerosol mass spectrometer. This instrument will improve on current designs by combining thermal laser desorption and REMPI with ion trap mass spectrometry. The completed apparatus will be capable of determining the size-resolved chemical composition of ambient aerosols and the state of mixing of aerosol constituents. This type of information is critical for understanding the role of aerosols in the atmosphere.