Facilities
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology teaching laboratories, preparatory rooms, instrumentation rooms, and research labs are located in the John S. Toll Science Center.
Facilities
- Teaching labs for anatomy, general biology, biochemistry, ecology, molecular biology
- Faculty research labs
- McLain Atrium with study alcoves
- Microsuites for cell and tissue culture, histology, fluorescence microscopy
Instrumentation
The Bruker 400 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer (NMR) is the big cousin of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine. The NMR spectrometer can detect a variety of elements, and is used to determine the chemical structure of molecules.
The Agilent GC-MS is an extremely useful instrument in determining the identity of a chemical substance. The instrument works by vaporizing compounds into the gas phase and passing these vapors through a column where separation can occur. The separated compounds are then passed into the mass spectrometer, where their molecular mass is determined.
The Agilent InfinityLab LC-MS is an extremely useful instrument in determining the identity of a chemical substance. The LC-MS works by using liquid chromatography to separated chemical substances and then passes the compounds into a mass spectrometer where the molecular mass is determined. This instrument is extremely useful in the separation and determination of biologically active compounds and small proteins.
The Agilent Gas Chromatography is a convenient method to determine the identify of chemical compounds in a mixture. The GC works by vaporizing compounds into the gas phase and passing these vapors through a column where separation can occur.
When oxygen or water must be avoided in a chemical reaction, the use of an inert-atmosphere glove box is necessary. The department has an mBraun EcoStar glove box that is utilized in both research and in courses such as CHE 340 Synthesis of Organic Molecules.
The Perkin-Elmer AAnalyst 100 Atomic Absorbance Spectrometer (AA) is used to analyze the concentration of metal ions, making this instrument well-suited for use in environmental monitoring of heavy metals. Our instrument is set up to look for lead (Pb), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), cadmium (Cd), and copper (Cu).
The department has two research grade FT-IR spectrometers, a Thermo Nicolet 360 and a Agilent Cary 630. These instruments are used to identify the structure of chemical compounds by examining the wavelength at which they absorb infrared radiation (heat).
The CEM Discover Microwave reactor allows for chemical reactions to be completed in a faction of the time as standard heating. Students use this instrument in both class and in the the research lab.
Software
Washington College students have access to industry standard chemical software that they will use in the classroom and in their careers. Students have access to PC-Spartan to perform molecular modeling calculations and also to ChemOffice software which allows students to professionally draw chemical structures.