Technology Research and Development – NMR Technologies for Integrating Structure Function and Disease

Our technology development and optimization projects span from sample preparation to data acquisition and analysis. The goal is to minimize sample handling, improve automation to reliably obtain the highest quality data, minimize, and improve the efficiency, rigor and reproducibility of NMR data collection and analysis, and make NMR more accessible to researchers at all levels of expertise.

1. Expanding the Scope of NMR Sample Preparation
2. Technologies for Solid-State NMR Data Collection
3. Integrated NMR for Complex Systems

User Program

NMRFAM offers low-cost access to NMR instrumentation. The facility contains twelve high-field, state-of-the-art NMR spectrometers for data collection  with field strengths between 500 MHz and 1100 MHz. These spectrometers are equipped for the most demanding multidimensional, multinuclear spectroscopic applications spanning both solution and solid-state NMR. All solution instruments are equipped with cryoprobes, and quadcryo probes with HFCN and HPCN configurations are available. SampleJets are also installed on several instruments. Solid-state instruments offer a variety of rotor geometries suitable for different MAS rates and sample volumes. A variety of probes are available, including probes optimized for biological samples, broad-band probes capable of observing diverse nuclei, and a photoprobe for light illumination within the spectrometer. Please see the instrumentation page for additional details.

Experienced users may access the NMRFAM network for remote spectrometer operation and servers for data processing and analysis servers. Software packages and pulse program libraries are available separately. Easy access to data acquired at NMRFAM is available through the Network for Advanced NMR data archive. Users can consultat with experienced NMRFAM staff for assessment of feasibility and advice on experimental design and data analysis.

Training

Persons who make extensive or non-routine use of the facility are encouraged to gain hands-on experience with the instruments so they can obtain and process data independently; members of the facility staff train these major users in the operation of the spectrometers. Training can be requested by prior arrangement with NMRFAM staff members. New users who have signed up for data collection time can arrange for up to eight hours of training (usually over multiple sessions) free of additional charge over the normal spectrometer user fees. Additional training is available at the normal operated-assisted rates.

Annual workshops cover both solution and solid-state NMR topics and include hands-on spectrometer setup, data acquisition, data processing and analysis of biomolecular NMR data. Specific workshop topics are updated each year.

Dissemination

Information and News is available through this website, through the Network for Advanced NMR (NAN) portal, and through our monthly newsletter (contact Lai Bergeman to be added to the mailing list). New technology developments are shared on this website, through the expert knowledgebases on the NAN portal, and through publications, talks, and posters at scientific meetings.

User Laboratory. A small laboratory is available to outside users of the facility. Its equipment includes a pH meter, NMR tube centrifuge, lyophilizer, refrigerator and freezer, fume hood, and balance. Desks and workstations are available for short-term visitors, and an office is available for longer-term visitors.

Proprietary Users. Proprietary use of the facility equipment is permitted, but charged at an industry rate. An agreement will be in place before an industrial user starts a project. User fees for NMRFAM are posted here. Projects of a proprietary nature must be disclosed to NMRFAM prior to the first use of NMRFAM equipment, and NMRFAM reserves the right to decline research of this nature.

Collaboration. NMRFAM offers multiple Tiers of Service. Instrumentation may be operated independently by experienced users (Tier 0), or routine experiments may be acquired by facility staff on behalf of a user who will independently analyze the data (Tier 1) and requires only acknowledgement of the facility and user program funding.  However, a project that will make extensive use of facility staff expertise (Tier 2) or will require development of new experimental protocols (Tier 3) should be arranged as a formal collaboration in advance and generally include co-authorship of publications with knowledge and agreement of all authors prior to submission of manuscripts. Projects that are closely relate to current NMRFAM technology development efforts may become driving biomedical projects, which represent a higher level collaboration.

Routine Spectroscopy Service. Routine (generally 1D and very simple 2D) spectra can be obtained and analyzed by facility staff on a service basis. Please contact Paulo Falco Cobra if you are interested in this service.