High Throughput, High Sensitivity NMR

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This proposal is to purchase equipment to convert an existing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometer at the University of Manchester (UoM) so that it can be used for high-throughput (HTP) NMR with high sensitivity detection.The Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB), where the instrument is housed, has a robotic liquid-handling Facility, necessary for the reproducible sample preparation required for HTP studies. NMR spectra can be used as a molecular fingerprint that is defined precisely by the structure of a chemical. Use of NMR to study mixtures of molecules is compromised partly by sensitivity, and also by (for 1H NMR) resolution. State of the art methodology developed in Manchester can solve some or all of these limitations. HTP studies of complex mixtures using sophisticated NMR techniques to increase sensitivity, resolution and/or specificity will allow definition of changes in chemical composition due to metabolism (in higher eukaryotes, media, water, or soil) or specific biocatalysts, or to screen small molecules for their effects on target proteins, either as drug-like molecules, or excipients. In addition, we will continue to use the equipment for structural and functional biomolecular NMR, to study proteins in solution. The research will impact on environmental and industrial biotechnology, enabling the transition to "net zero" carbon emissions and developing sustainable agriculture, and on biochemical research, enabling pharmaceutical development and consequently life-long health.