The proposed research focuses on the development of a compact, integrated high-field EPR spectrometer for DNP-enhanced solid-state, magic-angle-spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy. The spectrometer will allow researchers to record the EPR spectra and obtain valuable relaxation parameters of the DNP sample under the same conditions under which the DNP experiment is performed. In recent years, DNP has proven to be a robust method to increase signal intensities in NMR experiments in laboratories around the world and substantial progress has been made in adapting DNP for solid-state NMR spectroscopy. However, to understand and optimize the DNP process it is crucial to fully understand the EPR spectrum and relaxation parameters of the polarizing agent. Only a few home-built high-field spectrometers are available around the world. Therefore researchers often have to speculate about the EPR characteristics of their DNP sample. We propose to develop a cost-effective EPR spectrometer that can easily be adapted to cover the complete frequency range that is currently used in DNP spectroscopy. The design will be compact and turn-key so that the device can also be used by non experts. During Phase I of this project we will perform the complete mechanical and electrical design and fabricate a prototype EPR spectrometer operating at 263 GHz (400 MHz 1H). The successful development of this technology will provide researchers access to currently inaccessible EPR characteristics and will proliferate the development of new, optimized polarizing agents for DNP-NMR spectroscopy. This will be of large interest to many projects funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

Public Health Relevance

Dynamic Nuclear Polarization has the capability to drastically enhance the inherently small signal intensities observed in solid-state magic-angle-spinning NMR experiments. The method is of great interest to the structural biology community, which uses NMR spectroscopy for structure determination of small and large bio- (macro)molecules;areas that are vital for several research projects funded by the U.S. NIH.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase I (R43)
Project #
1R43GM112391-01
Application #
8781173
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Wehrle, Janna P
Project Start
2014-09-30
Project End
2015-09-29
Budget Start
2014-09-30
Budget End
2015-09-29
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Bridge 12 Technologies, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Framingham
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
01702