Our laboratories are well equipped with a range of analytical instrumentation, isotope labeling and gas exchange equipment. In addition to our lab space, we make use of various on-site greenhouse and growth chamber facilities, and regularly venture into the field.
Capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometer
Beckman-Coulter P/ACE MDQ interfaced to a Bruker Ion Trap mass spectrometer via Agilent sheath flow CE-MS sprayer. Applications include:
- CE-MS of cationic metabolites (e.g. amines, amino acids)
- Compound-specific isotope analysis (e.g. via isotope pool dilution)
- CE-MS of anionic metabolites (e.g. sugar phosphates & other “energy” metabolites)
- CE-MS/MS of peptides
![CE-MS](https://plant-soil-interactions.sydney.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_0346-1024x768.jpg)
(Nano)Liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer
We have a Dionex Ultimate RSLC Nano-LC that is typically interfaced to the mass spec via a Bruker captivespray nano source. The main application is analysis of intact lipids in plants and soil
![](https://plant-soil-interactions.sydney.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Graphical_Abstract_lipids-e1611659763794.jpg)
Gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer
Shimadzu QP2010plus GC-MS with EI, CI and NCI ionization. GC-MS applications include:
- Metabolite profiling (amino acids, organic acids, sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar phosphates, cyclic sugars etc.)
- Compound-specific isotope analyses
![](https://plant-soil-interactions.sydney.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/qp2010pic.jpg)
Tuneable diode laser (TDL)
Used for measuring the stable isotopes of CO2. The TDL is used for measuring the exchange of isotopes during photosynthesis and respiration by plants and soil.
![](https://plant-soil-interactions.sydney.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/TDL.jpg)
Li-Cor LI-6400 gas exchange and fluorescence system.
This is used for measuring photosynthesis and transpiration of plants. It is field portable, but also spends a lot of time inside the lab and glasshouse.
![](https://plant-soil-interactions.sydney.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/plant-eco-leaffluorometer.jpg)
Li-Cor LI-8100 soil respiration system
We use the soil respiration system in the lab connected to micro/mesocosms, and in the field with a 20-cm roving chamber. Recent modifications mean that we can also measure respiration of soil covered by snow.
![](https://plant-soil-interactions.sydney.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/RIMG0041-1024x768.jpg)
Portable gas exchange system
It is used for short-term measurements on grass/shrub ecosystems. It is being used to measure gas exchange of grass and shrub ecosystems, in particular their response to pulses of rainfall.
![](https://plant-soil-interactions.sydney.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/plant-eco-gas-exchange-chamber-300x225.jpg)