Evgeny Nikolaev
Laboratory of mass-spectroscopy
Center for Molecular and Cellular Biology
Corresponding member of Russian Academy of Sciences. Professor of chemical physics.
Graduated from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (PhysTech) Department of Molecular and Chemical Physics (specialization chemistry of fast processes)1965-1971. Postgraduate courses at PhysTech 1971-1974. Ph.D. in chemical physics (1974): “Mass Spectrometric Investigation of ion cluster formation during fast atom bombardment of frozen polar molecular substances”; Dr.Sc. from the Institute of Energy Problems of Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences (1992): ” FTICR and its application in precise mass measurement and kinetic mass spectrometry “; Full Professor 1994.
Head of the Laboratory of Ion and Molecular Physics (1987-till now). The Institute of Biochemical Physics Russian Academy of Sciences, Head of the Laboratory for mass spectrometry of biomacromolecules (2004-till now). Skoltech, Full Professor (2014-till now) and the head of Mass spectrometry laboratory.
Inventor of Dynamically harmonized FT ICR cell (implemented in Bruker Daltonics SOLARIX and scimaX as well as in 21T FT ICR instrument in National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, USA).
Inventor of the method of detection of FT ICR signal with multiple electrodes (1986) (implemented in Bruker Daltonics SOLARIX 2X and in 21T FT ICR instrument in NHMFL and PNNL, USA)).
Current research activities:
Supercomputer modeling of ion clouds behavior in accumulation and transport mass spectrometer devices. Further development of Particle in Cell Algorithm and Code for FT ICR signals simulation. Development of analytical solution for the dynamically harmonized FT ICR cell.
Quantitative mass spectrometry for personalized medicine. Investigation of microgravity influence on astronaut’s body liquid proteome and metabolome by quantitative mass spectrometry. Omics technologies. Development and application of on fly H/D exchange methods. Classification analysis of organic carbon natural storages using ultrahigh accuracy mass spectrometry (Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry)
Development and characterization of dynamically harmonized Penning traps for FT ICR MS.
Member of advisory boards of the Journal of Mass-Spectrometry, 2000-2004, European Journal of Mass-Spectrometry, Rapid Comminications in Mass-Spectrometry, Mass Spectrometry Reviw.
Organizer of the 8th European conference on FT ICR mass spectrometry (Moscow 2008), organizer of the 2nd , 3rd and 4th Conference-school on mass spectrometry in Russia (Moscow 2005, 2007, 2010).
Organizer of the First Skolkovo Conference on Bio-imaging mass spectrometry (Moscow, Dec 2011).
Organizer of the first International Conference on Innovations in Mass Spectrometry Instrumentation (INNMS2013, St.Petersburg, Russa, July 2013) and the Second International Conference on Innovations in Mass Spectrometry Instrumentation (INNMS2016, Moscow Russia, Nov 2016).
3D-printed, miniaturized Cassinian trap mass spectrometer for space research and general ambient analysis applications.
Objectives:
The goal of the project is the development of the new type of miniature mass spectrometer with high mass resolution, mass determination accuracy and low weight and power consumption primarily for space research applications and for broad application as carryable mass spectrometer for trace analyses of gases and molecular solids.
The approach is based on two new ideas:
Analyses of ion masses with Cassini trap type mass analyzer with sample ionization inside the trap
Making Cassini trap electrodes by high special resolution and accuracy 3D printing of conducting surfaces
The obvious benefit of this new approach is the possibility to print miniature mass spectrometry arrays to increase sensitivity of mass analyses and replicability of technology, which makes possible the production of cheap mass analyzers for different applications. The objectives are:
– Supercomputer simulations of electric field distribution in two centers Cassini traps.
– Supercomputer assisted simulation of the electron impact ionization processes inside the Cassini trap. Simulation of ion motion with initial conditions corresponding to the ionization region.
Results/current status
We have transported to the Skoltech a special vacuum camera for the assembly and test of the Cassini trap. Currently we are working on the purchasing of the required electronics.
Potential Impact
Mass spectrometry is one of the most informative and sensitive analytical technique, which is widely used in scientific research for more than 100 years and in Space research since 70th. The mission in 2015 to Churjumov-Gerasimenko comet had four mass spectrometer on board. Regular mass spectrometer is a complex combination of mass analyzer with ion source and ion detector, sophisticated electronics and data recording system as well as vacuum system, which is the heaviest, the most power consuming and most expansive part of the whole instrument. Many planet satellites and comets does not have atmosphere and their research by mass spectrometers could be greatly simplified. The results of the project will considerably help to achieve this goal.
- Honor issue International Journal of Mass Spectrometry (2012)
- Medal from the Moscow government for Achievements in Science (1997)
- Russian Academy Award for developing magneto-optical memory (1989)
- Biomedical Mass Spectrometry
After successful completion of this class, students will acquire the initial knowledge of the operational principles and design of different mass spectrometers, different methods of ionization of biological molecules of wide mass range, different methods of ion separation including magnetic sector, time of flight, RF and DC ion traps, as well as FTICR. Experimental and bioinformatics based methods of protein, peptides, lipids and metabolite molecule identification, different fragmentation methods for primary and secondary structure determination, methods of quantitative determination of proteins, lipids, metabolites and small molecule in physiological liquids