Bert C. Lynn | University of Kentucky College of Arts & Sciences

Bert C. Lynn

Professor of Chemistry; Director, UK Mass Spectrometry Facility

Contact Information

bclynn2@uky.edu

Research Interests

Mass spectrometry
Omic
Analytical Separations
Pharmaceutical development
Biomass and Lignin Chemistry
Distilled spirit analysis

Affiliations

Analytical
Chemistry

Research

Mass spectrometry research in my group is divided into three broad areas: 1) mass spectrometry based "Omic" sciences 2) analytical methods development in chemistry and biology and 3) instrument development.

In the “Omics” area, we are currently working in proteomics, lipidomics and metabolomics. We continue our efforts to utilize proteomics to elucidate protein changes associated with protozoa infections, neuronal diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and microbial solventogenesis in biofuels production. We are also working on metabolic profiles from easily obtainable biological fluids using capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry.

Methods development has been expanded to include biofuels and forensic problems. We are currently developing methods to elucidate changes in lignin composition during biomass pretreatment, synthesizing model lignin oligomers and utilizing tandem mass spectrometry to identify monolignol composition and bonding. Additionally, we are exploring the use of solid phase microextraction with GC/MS and paper spray mass spectrometry to characterize and quantify organic gunshot residue.

A variety of instrument development projects are underway including development of alternative API ionization schemes (inlet ionization) and novel CE/MS interfaces.

Graduate Training

Analytical Chemistry, Mass Spectrometry

Selected Publications

Selected Publications:

Omics and Biomarkers

X. Liu, M.A. Lovell and B.C. Lynn, 2006. Detection and Quantification of Endogenous Cyclic DNA Adducts Derived from 4-hydroxynonenal in Human Brain Tissue by Isotope Dilution Capillary Liquid Chromatography Nanoelectrospray Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Chem. Res. Toxicol., 19: 710-718.
Fu, Y., Xiong, S., Lovell, M.A., and B.C. Lynn. 2009. Quantitative proteomic analysis of mitochondria in aging PS-1 transgenic mice. Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology 29:649-664.
Lynn, B.C., Wang, J., Markesbery, W.R., and M.A. Lovell. 2010. Quantitative changes in the mitochondrial proteome from subjects with mild cognitive impairment, early stage, and late stage Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease 19:325-339.
Timmons, M.D., Bradley, M.A., Lovell, M.A., and B.C. Lynn. 2011. Procedure for the isolation of mitochondria, cytosolic and nuclear material from a single piece of neurological tissue for high-throughput mass spectral analysis. Journal of Neuroscience Methods 197:279-282.
M.A. Bradley-Whitman, E. Abner , B.C. Lynn, M.A. Lovell. 2015. A Novel Plasma Based Biomarker of Alzheimer's Disease. J. Alzheimers Dis., 47, 761-71.
M.A. Lovell, E. Abner, R. Kryscio, L. Xu, S.X. Fister, B.C. Lynn. 2015. Calcium Channel Blockers, Progression to Dementia, and Effects on Amyloid Beta Peptide Production. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, Article ID 787805, 9 pages.

Biomass

Williams, T.I., Combs, J.C., Lynn, B.C., and H.J. Strobel. 2007. Proteomic profile changes in membranes of ethanol-tolerant. Applied Microbiology Biotechnology 74:422-432.
Timmons, M.D., Knutson, B.L., Nokes, S.E., Strobel, H.J., and B.C. Lynn. 2009. Analysis of composition and structure of Clostridium thermocellum membranes from wild-type and ethanol-adapted strains. Applied Microbiology Biotechnology 82:929-939.
Li, H.F., Knutson, B.L., Nokes, S.E., Lynn, B.C., and M.D. Flythe. 2012. Metabolic control of Clostridium thermocellum via inhibition of hydrogenase activity and the glucose transport rate. Applied Microbiology Biotechnology 93(4):1777-84.
Harman-Ware, A.E., Crocker, M., Kaur, A.P., Meier, M.S., Kato, D., and B.C. Lynn. 2013. Pyrolysis-GC/MS of sinapyl and coniferyl alcohol. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis 99:161-169.
Kato, D.M., Élia, N., Flythe, M., and B.C. Lynn. 2014. Pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass using Fenton chemistry. Bioresource Technology 162:273-278.