Replacement of an outdated 600 MHz NMR CryoProbe system

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NIH Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) Program, PAR-20-113 Project Summary/Abstract: To sustain and expand the strong high field Biomolecular NMR research programs at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP), we are applying for a SIG grant to replace an aging Cryoprobe system of a Bruker 600 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometer at the Biomolecular NMR Facility. The components we propose to purchase are 1) a 5th generation CryoPlatform, 2) BNSL/a Nitrogen re-liquefication accessary, 3) a Cryo-TCI H&F probe, together with a BBFO room temperature probe, 4) a SampleCase system. The 600 MHz NMR equipped with a Cryo-TXI probe, installed in 2002, is the first high field NMR on UMCP campus. The spectrometer is a powerful tool to study chemical and biomolecular structures, molecular dynamics and affinities, as well as to analyze compounds in low concentration due to the Cryoprobe’s high sensitivity. Since its installation, the spectrometer has been daily serving graduate students and faculty members in various fields on campus, and periodically users from neighboring academic and government research institutes. It has been an essential instrument to several principal investigators (PIs) with NIH funded programs. However, the spectrometer has started to have increasing down time in recent years due to frequent repairs of its aging CryoPlatform and Cryo-TXI probe, disrupting NMR research activities of users. We believe it is urgent to address the reliability issue of the Cryoprobe system of the spectrometer to ensure the sustainability and performance of the system. The proposal for replacement is strongly supported by NIH funded PIs as well as other faculty members at UMCP. The SIG grant would provide an opportunity to rescue the aging instrument as well as to enhance the performance and capability of the instrument. If awarded, the up- to-date instrument will bring following benefits to UMCP NMR community: (1) Ensuring the advance of several NIH funded research programs. (2) Inspiring new Biomolecular NMR research interests. (3) Improving productivity and efficiency. (4) Providing hands-on learning and working experience to graduate students and postdocs (5) Drastically reducing liquid nitrogen consumption/cost.