Director: Paul Sorgen, Ph.D.
Manager: Ed Ezell, M.S.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful tool for basic research that improves our knowledge at the molecular level. It also plays an important role in drug discovery, ranging from small molecule characterization and protein structure-based drug design to small molecule library screening, all based on established 1D, 2D, and 3D NMR experiments such as HSQC (heteronuclear single-quantum coherence spectroscopy). At the end of 2007, the UNMC Eppley Institute NMR Facility consists of three spectrometers (400-600 MHz).
The Bruker Avance III 400-MHz NMR spectrometer was newly installed in 2007. It adds flexibility to the NMR Core, allowing the exploitation of a variety of new research possibilities with a focus on structural determination of antimicrobial, anti-HIV, and anticancer peptides, drug discovery and tissue analysis. This instrument is the new breed of digital high-definition spectrometer.
The Varian INOVA 500 MHz NMR instrument (upgraded in 2002) is available for walk-up chemical analysis. It has two radio frequency (rf) channels (plus 2H lock) and usually has a 5-mm Z-axis pulse-field gradient (PFG) switchable probe installed. This setup allows proton (1H) and carbon (13C) spectra to be acquired on a routine basis, while phosphorous (31P) and fluorine (19F) spectra can be obtained with the facility manager?s assistance. A 5-mm triple resonance probe (1H, 13C, and 15N) is also available.
The Varian INOVA 600 MHz instrument (installed in 2002) is dedicated to the studies of structure and dynamics of small proteins and their interactions with a variety of ligands, including lipids, drugs, DNA, sugar, and partner proteins. It has four rf (radio frequency) channels (1H, 13C, 15N, and 2H for lock and decoupling) and a z-axis PFG triple-resonance cryogenic (cold) probe is usually in service. Both 5-mm triple-resonance and penta (1H, 13C, 15N, 31P, and 2H) probes are also available. Thus, this machine is fully equipped for modern multidimensional multinuclear NMR experiments such as 2D HSQC, 3D HNCO, HNCACB, CBCA(CO)NH, C(CO)NH, and 4D NOESY experiments.
These NMR machines provide essential support to various grants of investigators and enable excellent training to students with an interest in NMR. Off-campus users are also encouraged to use our facility. The facility is supported by a CORE grant from National Cancer Institute (NIH) as well as the Nebraska Research Initiative (NRI). Facility operational costs are partially covered via minimal charge-backs to the users.
For further information about this facility or collaborative NMR studies, contact Ed Ezell at 402-559-4174 or Dr. Sorgen at 402-559-7557.
