High-Field Magnetic Resonance Facility to Accept Proposals
MSL's High-Field Magnetic Resonance Facility is now accepting proposals for use of the facility's 13 state-of-the-art nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers and one electron paramagnetic (EPR) spectrometer. Applications will be accepted through July 15, 2005, for research to be conducted from October 2005 through April 2006.
Instruments within this facility that are available to EMSL's current and potential scientific users include the most recent addition—a 900-MHz medium-bore NMR spectrometer that provides ultra-high-field liquid research capabilities for characterizing large biomolecular complexes and is equipped with a magic-angle spinning probe for the study of solids such as challenging quadrupolar nuclei. Recently, the instrument was used for the first-ever observation of strontium in clays—a feat that is expected to help further environmental remediation research.
Additional leading-edge instruments available include the following:
- An 800-MHz medium-bore, high-field NMR spectrometer for use in the study of both solids and liquids. A cold probe will be installed on this instrument in Fall 2005 that will provide increased sensitivity for working with challenging samples and will serve to complement the cold probe system capabilities of the facility's 600-MHz NMR spectrometer.
- A 600-MHz NMR spectrometer equipped with a pentaprobe, which will facilitate DNA and RNA research.
- A suite of NMR spectrometers ranging in field from 300 MHz to 750 MHz.
- A 2-Tesla horizontal wide-bore imaging spectrometer.
- A pulsed EPR system capable of both electron double nuclear resonance and electron double resonance spectrometry. This system was recently upgraded to facilitate use over the internet and greater resolution and throughput.
Detailed information about many of these instruments is available on the High-Field Magnetic Resonance Facility website.
In addition to these instruments, onsite research staff are available to assist user with the instruments and provide expertise in a wide variety of fields.
Applying for Use of the NMR/EPR Capabilities
The instruments in EMSL's High-Field Magnetic Resonance Facility are available for research that is significant to the environment and health, especially research that focuses on microbes involved in environmental processes such as waste remediation, carbon management, biomass conversion, and energy production. In addition, the instruments are available for research that would strengthen EMSL's capabilities in membrane biology, heterogeneous catalysis, environmental biomarkers, biogeochemistry, and biomolecular complexes.
To apply for time on an NMR or EPR spectrometer, submit the electronic user proposal form, along with the requested instruments, a resume, and a 2- to 3-page description of the research to be conducted. Repeat users must also attach a brief progress report and a list of publications resulting from access to the facility. In addition, requests for use of the 900-MHz NMR spectrometer must include a detailed rationale of the science involved and preliminary data to justify access to this high field.
For detailed instructions and contact information, please consult the NMR facility user guide.
