MRI: Acquisition of a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer

这个奖项从主要研究仪器（MRI）计划教授迈克尔R。Carrasco和来自圣克拉拉大学的同事Thorsteinn Adalsteinsson将获得一台400 MHz NMR光谱仪。建议的仪器将用于各种应用，包括：1）单壁碳纳米管嵌入的介孔硅酸盐的合成和表征，2）聚合物包封的亚微米油滴的研究，3）模拟蛋白质的折叠体的鉴定，4）通过点击化学合成和表征主链修饰的DNA类似物，5）肽的化学选择性糖基化以提供保护免于蛋白水解，6）卟啉组装体的配体结合性质的鉴定，7）蛋白质-纳米颗粒相互作用的表征，和8）聚合物光致变色材料的形态表征，以了解老化和氧化如何导致细胞寿命缩短。光谱学是化学家用来阐明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，并研究溶液中分子之间相互作用的动力学。使用最先进的NMR光谱仪对于进行研究的化学家来说至关重要。这些NMR研究的结果将对材料研究、有机化学和生物化学产生影响。 本科生将接受研究和实验室课程的培训，为他们在学士学位后的工作和科学技术以及教育方面的职业做准备。

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.