Capabilities

• Custom development of bespoke apps and pipelines
• Integrative multi-omics data analysis (eg mixOmics and MOFA2)
• Machine learning–based discovery and benchmarking
• Networks visualisation (eg STRINGdb, Cytoscape)
• Pathways enrichment
• Phosphoproteomics and PTMs analysis (eg prediction of upstream kinases)
• Quantitative proteomics and differential protein abundance analysis

• Glycomics
• Glycoproteomics
• High-throughput proteomics screening
• Metabolomics
• RNA and oligonucleotide mass spectrometry
• Targeted mass spectrometry

• Amino acid analysis (AAA)
• Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
• Gel Electrophoresis
• Multiplexed Immunoassay (MIA)
• Reversed-phase (RP)-HPLC analysis
• RP-HPLC method development
• Size exclusion chromatography (SEC)

• Co-fractionation mass spectrometry for organism-wide protein complex analysis
• Computational modelling of protein assemblies
• Cross-linking mass spectrometry
• Identification of interaction partners
• Mass photometric measurements of biomolecular interactions
• Top-down and native mass spectrometry of intact proteins and protein complexes

• Data independent acquisition
• Differential protein analysis
• Label free quantitation
• Post-translational modifications (PTM) analysis
• Quanitiation and identification of peptides and proteins
• Sequence coverage
• TMT analysis

Chromatography is a powerful family of analytical techniques used to separate complex mixtures into their individual components.

At MUCAB, we offer a range of chromatography services, including:

• liquid chromatography (HPLC)
• gas chromatography (GC)
• size exclusion chromatography (SEC or GPC).

Our Elemental Microanalysis Service provides CHN and CHNS elemental analysis services for the research needs of Macquarie University researchers and students, as well as the wider research community.

Elemental analysis provides a quick and inexpensive method to find sample purity, and when used in conjunction with other techniques, can be used to characterise a compound. The service can obtain accurate, reproducible data for a wide range of samples.

Principle of the method

Samples of known weights are packed into lightweight containers of oxidisable metal, and then individually flash combusted in a heated quartz tube using oxygen. Quantitative combustion is then achieved by passing the combustion products over several catalysts and specialised oxidation reagents producing carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O) and nitrogen (N2). The amount of carbon dioxide CO2, water H2O and nitrogen N2 produced is determined using gas chromatography.

Results are calculated from the comparison of unknowns to standards with known elemental compositions that are traceable back to NIST primary standards. Results are delivered in percent elemental concentration.

Samples are measured on an Elementar Vario MICRO cube elemental analyser (Elementar Analysensysteme GmbH, Germany).

Below are some typical questions commonly asked about the Elemental Analysis Service. If one of the following fails to answer your question, please feel free to contact us:

• How do I submit my sample for elemental analysis?
• What are the costs for elemental analysis?
• How do I receive the results?

Sample submission: please email Sean.Murray@mq.edu.au with the following required documents completed and attached:

• a completed ‘elemental analysis sample description’ form for each sample
• a completed ‘elemental analysis sample submission table’.

Note: There is a minimum requirement of five individual samples for users of this service that are external to Macquarie University. If five samples cannot be sent, additional fees will apply.

When we have agreed to measure your samples we will provide a quote for the work. Once that quote is accepted, samples can be mailed or delivered to the following address:

Sean Murray
Science Store 14 Eastern Rd. Rm 186 Loading Dock, Eastern Road,
Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, Australia 2109

Sample requirements

Please ensure the sample ID given on the submission form matches the label on the sample vial.

Sample size is typically dictated by the expected carbon concentration in the sample material. Samples will be weighed to have an equivalent carbon concentration (w/w) of 600 µg down a minimum sample weight of one milligram. The table below gives relative estimates of sample size:

If your sample material doesn’t have carbon in it, we will discuss additional options with you for producing the best results.

Other requirements

Sample purity

The determination of the mass percentage of CHN elements in your sample is based upon the direct weight of the material sampled. Therefore, it is very important that samples are dry, free of foreign substances such as dust, rust, hair, aluminum foil, parafilm, and paper filter fibers (the most common contaminant). We need to know if metals, halides, or other interferences are within the sample and if they are, what are they. It is also required to specify the physical state of the compound at submission (eg color, crystal, liquid, melting point and molecular weight).

Cost of service

Standard rates for elemental microanalysis for Macquarie and other university users.

*All charges are exclusive of GST and subject to change.

Results

Results will be reported as a percentage value (ie grams of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen per 100 grams of sample) and carried out in duplicate unless otherwise instructed.

Results will be emailed to the address used at the top of the elemental analysis sample description' form unless otherwise noted.

Unused samples can be returned to you upon request. If you would like your samples returned, please indicate this on the submission form and include a stamped, self-addressed padded envelope with your samples.

Mass spectrometry (MS) is an analytical technique used to:

• determine the masses of particles
• elucidate the elemental composition and chemical structures of molecules.

When combined with chromatographic techniques, MS becomes a powerful tool for the separation, quantitation and identification of individual components within a mixture.

At MUCAB, we offer a range of MS services, including:

• liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)
• gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
• tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS).

Spectroscopic analysis provides detailed information about the physical and chemical properties of a sample eg its structure, composition and concentration.

Spectroscopy can be used to distinguish between different compounds in a mixture, making it useful in a wide range of applications.

MUCAB offers a range of spectroscopic techniques including:

• infrared spectroscopy (IR)
• ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis)
• fluorescence spectroscopy
• dynamic light scattering (DLS).

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy

The variety of instruments at our NMR facility, including Australia’s first parahydrogen generator, support the solution-state NMR requirements of our researchers.

A full sample service is available to external clients on a fee paying basis. Contact us for more information.

Book our NMR facility online.

Thermal analysis is a powerful analytical technique that measures physical or chemical changes in a material as a function of temperature.

At MUCAB, we offer a range of thermal analysis techniques, including:

• differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
• thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)
• evolved gas analysis (EGA).

Thermal analysis service

A sample submission form must accompany each sample submitted. The sample ID given on the submission form must be the same as the label on the sample vial.

Download a thermal analysis submission form.

Sample size

• The weight required is the amount that must be removable from the sample vial, not the amount put into the sample vial.
• Typically 10mg will be enough material for both DSC and TGA. However, if possible, more sample (25–50mg) should be provided.
• In cases where you have very little sample available, it is possible to do some types of analyses with as little as 1mg of sample.

We will happily return any unused sample to you.

Cost

Our specialist equipment allows us to perform spectrometry, solution composition and elemental analysis on bulk samples of minerals, rocks and fluids.

X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Available analysis includes:

• major and trace elements from bulk samples.

Element concentration analysis in solution

Available analysis includes:

• trace elements to the picogram/gram levels for most elements.

Solution Isotopic Composition Analysis

Available analyses include:

• Sr, Nd, Hf ratios
• U-Th-Pb.

Elemental Analysers

Available analysis includes:

• C, H, N, S concentration in bulk samples.

We have a wide range of in-situ microanalysis facilities, including laser ablation systems, specialised scanning electron microscopes (SEMs), electron microprobes, microscopes and spectrometers.

Laser Ablation ICP-MS

Available analyses include:

• Hf isotopes
• zircons U-Pb dating
• trace element mapping and imaging
• split stream simultaneous analysis of Os isotopic ratios and PGE concentrations
• Rb-Sr dating of minerals with high Rb/Sr ratios.

We have a number of Laser Ablation Systems that can be attached to our various ICP-MSs, including:

• Photon Machines Excite Excimer Laser Ablation System
• Photon Analyte G2 Excimer Laser Ablation System
• Teledyne LSX 213.

Specialised SEM and Electron Microprobe

Available analyses include:

• high-resolution quantitative and qualitative imaging in either high or low vacuum
• EDX elemental mapping by SEM
• electron backscatter diffraction analysis
• quantitative mineral mapping and deconvolution.

Optical Spectroscopy

Available analyses include:

• Raman spectrometry (non-destructive vibrational spectroscopy for phase determination)
• infrared spectrometry and automated mapping.

Our specialist sample preparation laboratory and disaggregation machine facilities are available to School of Natural Science students, staff and researchers.

Available analyses include:

• sample disaggregation
• sample sawing, crushing and milling
• heavy liquid separation
• petrographic analysis
• sample mounting in epoxy
• thin sectioning.

Specialist mass spectrometry equipment is available to our students, staff and researchers interested in the analysis of elemental composition and isotopic ratios in carbonate samples.

Available analyses include:

• δ13C and δ18O
• Δ47 of CO2 from carbonates (clumped isotope palaeothermometry).

The Thermo Hub is our newest scientific facility and was jointly sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific to establish a world-first technology and analytical strategic partnership. This is to drive scientific research and develop new methodologies, in particular, development and application of 10¹³Ω amplifiers.

Initial projects have included:

• Pt and Sn isotope constraints on core formation and volatile loss on meteorites
• Os isotope constraints on crustal recycling
• Ba isotope constraints on subduction zone processes and the composition of Earth’s mantle domains
• use of transition metal isotopes in the study of to Alzheimer’s and motor-neuron disease.

It also acts as a display facility in the Pacific for Thermo’s newest instruments and isotope research development.

Available analysis includes: Cu, Zn, Mo, Os, Pt, Sn, Ba, V and U-series isotopes.