Console and probe heads 600 MHz NMR spectrometer

• Subject Area: Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: Funded in 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 539080547

The major equipment applied for aims to enable the execution of research projects at the NMR core facility that possess highest relevance. With this investment the application spectrum modern high-resolution NMR spectroscopy offers will be significantly expanded as the two heteronuclei fluorine (19F) and phosphor (31P) will be then available at a 600 MHz NMR machine. Currently, highly sensitive 19F NMR experiments can be exclusively conducted on an 800 MHz NMR machine (equipped with CP-QCI probe). It has been shown that using a field strength of 600 MHz depicts an excellent experimental setup to acquire 19F NMR data due to the intrinsic characteristics 19F possesses. Besides, experimental data on 31P nuclei cannot be acquired on the 600 MHz NMR machine at the NMR core facility at the moment. Extensive studies on nucleotides that are based on NMR spectroscopic approaches rely on the experimental accessibility of 31P nuclei. Consequently, the major equipment applied for crucially expands the implementation range enabling to tackle research objectives pursued in DNA/RNA research. Research groups affiliated with the Department of Chemistry or Biology at the University of Konstanz are strongly involved in collaborative efforts promoting interdisciplinarity. Here, an appropriate up to date equipped NMR infrastructure strongly supports research projects that rely on experimental insights at the molecular and even atomic scale. Exemplarily, fluorine-based studies aiming to determine thermodynamic stability and function of proteins in a cellular context, projects on posttranslational modifications of proteins and complementary studies combining computer simulations with NMR spectroscopic experimental data can be listed. Another motivation for the investment in the major equipment applied for concerns the availability of the instruments provided by the NMR core facility. Currently, two cryo platforms are operated (600 MHz equipped with CP-TCI cryo probe (installation in 2008) as 800 MHz equipped with CP-QCI cryo probe (installation in 2009)). Using state-of-the-art room temperature probe heads increases the robustness, dependability and, significantly, the temperature range that can be used for experimental efforts at the 600 MHz NMR spectrometer. The existing superconducting magnet possessing magnetic field strength of 14.1 T (installation in 2008) will be kept and further used. The major equipment applied for will compensate the transition from a cryo platform to a room temperature setup due to technical advancement and methodological progress of probe heads and console technology noted during the past 15 years. In parallel, the experimental availability of NMR active nuclei will be significantly expanded (currently: 1H, 2H, 13C, 15N; then: 1H, 2H, 13C, 15N, 19F und 31P).

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Konsole und Probenköpfe 600 MHz NMR-Spektrometer (Teilfinanzierung)
• Instrumentation Group: 1740 Hochauflösende NMR-Spektrometer
• Applicant Institution: Universität Konstanz
• Leader: Professor Dr. Michael Kovermann