MRI: Acquisition of a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer

通过这项来自主要研究仪器（MRI）项目的奖励，来自圣克拉拉大学的Michael R. Carrasco教授和他的同事Thorsteinn Adalsteinsson将获得一台400 MHz核磁共振光谱仪。建议的仪器将用于各种应用，包括：1)单壁碳纳米管嵌入介孔硅酸盐的合成与表征，2)亚微米油滴聚合物封装的研究，3)模拟蛋白质的折叠物的鉴定，4)骨架修饰DNA类似物的合成与表征，5)多肽的化学选择性糖基化以保护蛋白质水解，6)卟啉组合物的配体结合特性鉴定，7)蛋白质-纳米粒子相互作用的表征；8)聚合物光伏的形态表征，以了解老化和氧化如何导致细胞寿命缩短。核磁共振（NMR）波谱是化学家用来研究分子结构的最有力的工具之一。它用于识别未知物质，表征分子内原子的特定排列，以及研究溶液中分子之间相互作用的动力学。获得最先进的核磁共振光谱仪对于正在进行研究的化学家来说是必不可少的。这些核磁共振研究的结果将对材料研究、有机化学和生物化学产生影响。本科学生将接受研究和实验课程方面的培训，为他们获得学士学位后的工作以及在科学技术和教育领域的职业生涯做好准备。

With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program Prof. Michael R. Carrasco and colleague Thorsteinn Adalsteinsson from Santa Clara University will acquire a 400 MHz NMR spectrometer. The proposed instrumentation will be used in a variety of applications including: 1) Synthesis and characterization of single-walled carbon nanotube-embedded mesoporous silicates, 2) Study of polymer encapsulated sub-micron oil droplets, 3) Identification of foldamers that mimic proteins, 4) Synthesis and characterization of backbone-modified DNA analogs via click chemistry, 5) Chemoselective glycosylation of peptides to confer protection from proteolysis, 6) Identification of the ligand-binding properties of porphyrin assemblies, 7) Characterization of protein-nanoparticle interactions, and 8) Morphological characterization of polymer photovoltaics to understand how aging and oxidation lead to diminished cell lifetimes.Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is one of the most powerful tools available to chemists for the elucidation of the structure of molecules. It is used to identify unknown substances, to characterize specific arrangements of atoms within molecules, and to study the dynamics of interactions between molecules in solution. Access to state-of-the-art NMR spectrometers is essential for chemists who are carrying out research. The results from these NMR studies will have an impact in materials research, organic chemistry and biochemistry. Undergraduate students will receive training in research and in laboratory courses preparing them for post-baccalaureate work and for careers in science and technology, and in education.