CAREER: Biochemical Reaction Mechanisms by Real-Time, Hyperpolarization Enhanced Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

在这个奖项中，德克萨斯农工大学的希尔蒂博士将利用最近开发的商业上可用的超感偏振器，通过与有机自由基接触的动态核极化来创建增强的核自旋极化。停流方法的集成将使他能够研究酶过程和蛋白质折叠的动力学。希尔蒂博士的教育计划包括为物理化学讲课课程开发新的演示，以及他参加“化学路演”，以接触德克萨斯州农村地区的高中生。希尔蒂博士计划开发科学工具包，如果他和他的学生都不能亲自到访，这种工具包可以通过邮政服务送到学校。动态过程的研究，即在相同的时间尺度上捕捉到的过程发生时，是一个具有挑战性的化学问题，当执行分子水平的分辨率。核磁共振波谱是核磁共振成像(MRI)的姊妹技术，是化学中研究分子结构的一种强大而广泛的工具。不幸的是，它不能很好地用于动态过程的研究，因为这些过程通常涉及核磁共振不足以检测到的小浓度的中间物种。所谓的动态核极化是1950年S发明的一项聪明的技术，目的是使核磁共振更加灵敏-其缺点是必须在非常低的温度下进行，即-456F！在这样的温度下，所有的分子都被冻结，动态过程陷入停顿。由于DNP的优势在几秒钟内就消失了，所以样品必须非常迅速地升温，才能研究动力学。德克萨斯农工大学的希尔蒂博士开发了一种仪器，使他能够做到这一点--他计划用它来研究酶反应和蛋白质的折叠。这些过程每天都在我们的身体中发生，而它们的功能障碍是阿尔茨海默氏症等许多疾病的罪魁祸首。大学生必须参加物理化学课程，才能理解并进行希尔蒂博士这样的研究。这些材料具有挑战性，因为它含有强大的数学成分，使学生很难与现实世界的现象建立联系。希尔蒂博士将改进物理化学课程，方法是开发演示，与其他教师分享，帮助学生发现这些联系，最终提高学生的学习质量和对该领域的热情。为了让学生在职业生涯的早期就投入到这一迷人的领域，他与德克萨斯州A&P；M的“化学路演”合作，该节目被带到德克萨斯州农村地区的高中。希尔蒂博士将通过开展动手活动来丰富目前以化学演示为基础的展览。

In this award, Dr. Hilty from Texas A&M University will utilize the recently developed, commercially available Hypersense polarizer to create enhanced nuclear spin polarization through dynamic nuclear polarization from contact with organic radicals. Integration of stopped-flow methods will allow him to study dynamics in enzymatic processes and protein folding. Dr. Hilty's educational plan involves development of new demonstrations for the physical chemistry lecture course, and his participation in the "Chemistry Road Show" to reach out to high school students in rural areas of Texas. Dr. Hilty plans to develop science kits that can be delivered to the schools via postal service if neither he nor his students can pay a personal visit. The study of dynamic processes, that is, processes captured on the same time scale as they occur, is a challenging problem in chemistry when performed with molecular level resolution. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, the sister technique to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is a powerful and wide-spread tool in chemistry to investigate molecular structure. Unfortunately, it does not lend itself very well to the study of dynamic processes, as these often involve intermediate species in small concentrations that NMR is not sufficiently sensitive to detect. So-called dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) is a clever technique that was devised in the 1950's to make NMR more sensitive - its downside is that it must be performed at very low temperatures, that is -456 F! At these temperatures, all molecules are frozen and dynamic processes come to a standstill. Since the DNP advantage disappears in a matter of seconds, the samples must be warmed up very rapidly so that dynamics can be studied. Dr. Hilty from Texas A&M University has developed an apparatus that allows him to do exactly that - with it, he plans to investigate enzymatic reactions and the folding of proteins. These processes occur in our bodies every single day, and their dysfunction is responsible for many diseases such as Alzheimer's. College students must enroll in physical chemistry courses to be able to understand and do research such as Dr. Hilty's. The material is challenging with a strong mathematical component that makes it hard for students to establish connections with real-world phenomena. Dr. Hilty will improve the physical chemistry curriculum by developing demonstrations to be shared with other instructors to help students see these connections, ultimately resulting in better student learning and enthusiasm for the field. In order to engage students in this fascinating field earlier in their career, he partners with Texas A & M's "Chemistry Road Show" that is taken to high schools in rural areas of TX. Dr. Hilty will enrich the show that is currently based on chemistry demonstrations by developing hands-on activities.