Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy determines the structures of molecules ranging from small chemicals to macromolecular proteins and nucleic acids.  It is particularly useful for the analysis of proteins that cannot be crystallised, and for investigating interactions between proteins, biological membranes and ligands, including potential new drugs. The Institute's substantial NMR facility, affectionately referred to as the NMR Cave, is one of Australia's leading NMR centres.

At the Institute, NMR is primarily used for investigating structures of potential drug and pesticide targets, protein pharmaceuticals and include metabolite biomarkers of disease as well as interactions of proteins with their specific ligands (including candiates drugs) and where relevant their target membranes. NMR capability is also important to a range of analytical and synthetic chemistry applications.

The NMR Facility contains seven NMR spectrometers available to academic and industry users on a fee for use basis. An additional two NMR spectrometers belong to WEHI are also present.  The massive 800 MHz high-field NMR spectrometer equipped with cyroprobe technology is signficant in its size and capability. 

The critical mass developed by bringing together this capability makes the Bio21 Institute's NMR Facility a valuable resource for attracting industry and academic researchers.

The NMR Spectrometers

400 MHz NMR

Varian INOVA system equipped with a broadband probe. Suited to small molecules where sensitivity is not a dominant issue and other nuclei such as ¹³C, ³¹P, ¹⁹F and ⁷⁷Se.

500 MHz NMR

Two Varian INOVA systems both equipped with an autosampler. Suited to small molecules where sensitivity is not a dominant issue. One is equipped with an inverse probe for greater proton sensitivity and the other a broadband probe suited to 13C, ³¹P, ¹⁹F and ⁷⁷Se

600 MHz

Varian INOVA system with coldprobe. Suited to moderate size proteins and molecules where sensitivity begins to be an issue

800 MHz NMR

Bruker-Biospin Avance with cryoprobe and autosampler. Suited to large proteins where high sensitivity and resolution are required and for metabolomic studies requiring high throughput.

Accessing the NMR Spectrometers

To access the NMR spectrometers contact the facility manager, David Keizer.  Users will only be granted access to a spectrometer after they have attended a formal training session.