Yinrong Lu

Senior Research Scientist

Biotechnologies

Analysis of metabolites in complex mixtures LCMS

I am a Senior Research Scientist with expertise in Mass spectrometry and Biotechnologies. With over 15 years of experience, I have deep skill analysing diverse chemicals, ranging from small synthetic molecules to large natural proteins, using Quadrupole-Time-of-Flight (QTof) instruments equipped with various ion sources (ESI, APCI, APPI).

My background in natural product isolation and structural characterisation has equipped me to specialise in LCMS techniques for the analysis of targeted or untargeted metabolites in complex mixtures. I have successfully analysed degradation products of pharmaceuticals, lipids in various milks, and bioactives in fruits and plants.

Hyphenated LCMS techniques include ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with QTof. These enable me to conduct a wide range of qualitative and quantitative applications. Tandem MS and mass accuracy further enhance my ability to confidently identify and characterise structures. My LCMS service is mainly devoted to making essential contributions to research teams’ scientific achievements within Callaghan Innovation, the Ferrier Research Institute of Victoria University, and BDG Synthesis. We also provide our LCMS service directly to clients such as Fonterra, Synlait, Daisylab and Douglas Pharmaceuticals.

Through my work, I strive to uncover valuable insights and contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge in the field of mass spectrometry.

Areas of expertise

High resolution Mass spectrometry of diverse chemicals from small synthetic molecules to large natural proteins (>15 years) on Quadrupole-Time-of-Flight (QTof) instruments equipped with various ion sources (ESI, APCI, APPI).
The hyphenated LCMS (ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with QTof) analyses, in particular, for a wide range of qualitative and quantitative applications .
Tandem MS in addition to mass accuracy for confident structural identifications
Strong background in natural products isolation and structural characterisation.

Education

PhD Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Heidelberg University, Germany, 1989
Dipl. Ing. Technische Hochschule, Darmstadt, Germany, 1986
B.Sc. East China University of Science Technology, Shanghai, China, 1982

Memberships and awards

Member NZIC
Member ANZSMS

Selected publications

Use of supercritical chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry for analysis of a lipid extract of the thermophilic bacterium Chthonomonas calidirosea. Mitchell, K.; Lu, Y.; Lagutin, K.; MacKenzie, A.; Vyssotski, M.; Stott, M. ANZSMS-27, 2019, Auckland
Photoproducts of 7-hydroxycoumarins in aqueous solution. Smith, G.J.; Weston, R. J.; Tang, Y.; Lu, Y.; Dyer. J. M. Aust. J. Chem. 2012, 65, 1451-1456.
Application of UPLC-Q-Tof MS to characterize complex molecules. Lu, Y.. ANZSMS-21, 2007, Christchurch.
Polyphenolics of Salvia – A review. Lu, Y.; Foo, L. Y. Phytochemistry 2001, 59(2), 117-140.
HPLC and GC-MS identification of major constituents in New Zealand propolis. Markham, K.; Mitchell, K.; Wilkins, A. L.; Daldy, J.; Lu, Y. Phytochemistry, 1996, 42, 205-211.