1. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
2. Chemistry store
3. FTIR spectroscopy
4. Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analysis
5. Peptide Synthesis
6. Protein Analysis and Facilities
7. Protein/Peptide Sequencing
8. Powder X-ray diffraction
9. Single crystal X-ray diffraction
10. The WA EPR facility

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) is an elemental analysis technique for dissolved samples.

It is a simpler and more cost-effective technique than ICP when analysing a large number of samples for a very small number of elements. It is also useful for fewer elements than ICP analysis, although some of these require special preparation to minimise chemical and physical interferences.

Our machine is a Varian AA100, one of the current generation of computer-operated instruments.

• Contact: Oscar Del Borrello.

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Chemical storeroom

The Chemistry store supplies glassware, consumables and chemicals for teaching and research to Chemistry. Other UWA schools can also purchase items using an internal T form.

Store opening hours are 9:00am -12:00pm and 2:00pm - 4:00pm daily. Closed for morning tea 10:45-11:00am daily.

• Contact: Adam Hamilton

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FTIR spectroscopy

Chemistry has one Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectrometer available for general use:

• Perkin Elmer Spectrum One

  Purchased in late 2003, it has 0.5 cm-1 resolution, with typical range 400-4000 cm-1.

• Contact: Oscar Del Borrello.

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Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analysis

Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) spectrometry is a technique for elemental analysis that is applicable to most elements over a wide range of concentrations.

It can't be used for Rb, Cs, Cl, Br, F, O, N or the inert gases, however. In addition there are a few elements which are too hazardous to deal with - for example, plutonium. Otherwise, most elements of the periodic table can be analysed. Samples have to be dissolved prior to analysis.

The instrument is an ARL 3520B sequential scanning ICP-OES. We run a 20mm torch, 1200W incident power, an MDSN nebuliser with 1.14mm peristaltic pump tubing. An AIM-101 autosampler is used when large numbers of samples are to be analysed.

• Contact: Oscar Del Borrello

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Peptide Synthesis

We use an Applied Biosystems 433A peptide synthesiser, which uses FastMoc solid has chemistry to prepare synthetic peptides.

During synthesis, direct monitoring of the amino acid deprotection step leads to greater efficiency, even for difficult peptide sequences. Peptides are chemically cleared and purified by HPLC.

We can also help with peptide design and conjugation for antibody production.

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Protein Analysis and Facilities

• HPLC (ABI 140B microboe and Perkin-Elmer 250 preparative HPLC systems

• FPLC (gel filtration, ion exchange or affinity chromatography)

• Capillary electrophoresis

• Molecular modeling

• Advice on protein analysis by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and surface plasmon resonance (Biacore)

For more information about the availability of this facility, please visit the Lotterywest State Biomedical Facility – Proteomics Node.

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Protein/Peptide Sequencing

UWA's Protein Facility houses the only N-terminal sequencer in Western Australia. 

We have an Applied Biosystems 476 sequencer, which is equipped to analyse proteins and peptides blotted onto PVDF membranes or in solution (for example, after reverse-phase HPLC). 

We can currently identify PTH amino acids from Edman degradation at the lower picomole level. Please enquire for detailed information on preparing samples for sequence analysis.

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Powder X-ray diffraction

The discipline has one powder X-ray diffractometer.

• Siemens D-5000 (Siemens is now called Bruker.)

  A 2.2 kW state-of-the-art powder diffractometer was purchased in 1991.

  It is PC-controlled with resident software, including DIFFRAC, a peak search program giving d spacings and intensities, and EVA, a search/match program that compares the observed diffraction pattern with those in the JCPDS Powder Diffraction File database and identifies the material by matching.

  Post-diffraction monochromator attachments include a sample spinner and a high-temperature evacuable cell for collecting diffraction data at temperatures of up to 1600°C.

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Single crystal X-ray diffraction

We operate and maintain two area-detector diffractometers (a Bruker AXS CCD and a MAR345 image-plate) and three four-circle diffractometers. Computing support includes a range of PCs, workstations (including eight DIGITAL alphas) and peripheral storage and print devices.

• Contact: Professor Allan White.

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The West Australian Facility for Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (WAEPR)

The Facility was established in 1995 to provide researchers in the region with access to a state-of-the-art EPR and ENDOR spectrometer.

It was funded by a DETYA [now DEEWR] Research Infrastructure (Equipment and Facilities) grant with support from Chemistry, Geology and Geophysics, Geography and Physiology at UWA, Applied Chemistry at Curtin University of Technology, and Chemistry at Murdoch University.

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