The Centre for Biological Applications of Mass Spectrometry (CBAMS) was established at Concordia in June 2003 to oversee the mass spectrometry facility housed in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. CBAMS supports and promotes research, and provides students with hands-on training in the applications of mass spectrometry to diverse problems in biological chemistry.

The mandate of CBAMS is fourfold:

• Advancement of mass spectrometry in the chemical and biological sciences.
• Enhancement of the research infrastructure at Concordia University.
• Training at the postdoctoral, PhD, MSc, diploma, and BSc levels personnel with a strong background in mass spectrometry.
• Provision of mass spectrometry support for small biotechnology companies in the Montreal area, and specialized support, such as biological uses of ICP-MS, for larger companies.

In recognition of the critical role of mass spectrometry in the research activity at Concordia, CBAMS receives strong support from the University. The University provided operating grants to the Centre in 2009, 2010 and 2011, and the relocation in 2003 of the then Departmental Mass Spectrometry Facility, doubled its platform space and added office space for technical support staff.

The instrumentation in CBAMS was funded by CFI-Québec, NSERC, CIHR, and Concordia University as well as donations from the private sector. With the installation in March 2011 of the LTQ-Orbitrap Velos ETD, CBAMS now has state-of-the-art instrumentation valued at over $6,000,000. CBAMS is not only the most comprehensive academic mass spectrometry platform in Canada, it is also unique in its dedication to the hands-on training of students and researchers.

For more information about the CBAMS, visit their web site.