Comprehensive instrumental analysis experiment: determination of gallium using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

"Admiring the lofty mountains, one realizes their own lack of talent." To further promote the implementation of new curriculum standards, a comprehensive instrumental analysis experiment was designed. Metabolomics, an emerging technology developed after genomics and proteomics, is an important part of systems biology. This study aims to explore the applications of metabolomics in the fields of environment and health. Sample pretreatment technology and detection methods for separating and enriching gallium were chosen through a literature review and group discussion. Students then experimentally analyzed the changes in metabolite content in cells cultured with metal-anticancer gallium drugs, which helped them understand the widespread application of metabolomics in the fields of environment and health. Additionally, material characterization was conducted using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and the gallium metal in metabolites was qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). During discussions of this experiment, the teacher guided students in using large-scale instruments to solve problems comprehensively, fostering a research-based teaching approach to build a solid foundation for conducting efficient instrument analysis and comprehensive experiments within the classroom in future.