Supported by FEMA, the 800-MHz spectrometer in UTMB’s NMR facility was upgraded in November/December 2011. A new Bruker Avance III console and a TCI (1H/2H/13C/15N) cryogenic probe system were successfully installed for the 800-MHz magnet. The cryogenic probe permits detection of NMR signals with a ~3-fold higher sensitivity than the RT probe (S/N=2000:1).
Since the upgrade, the 800-MHz NMR instrument has been in an excellent working condition. With typical monthly usage > 85%, the 800-MHz instrument is actively used for biomedical research. The building of the NMR facility was renovated as part of UTMB’s effort for mitigation of potential hurricane damage.
The renovation includes installation of three high-capacity uninterrupted power supply (UPS) units, stabilization of the emergency power supply, and most importantly, construction of waterproof walls to protect the facility from a 15-ft tidal surge that may happen again due to a hurricane. The UPS units have greatly reduced the spectrometers’ down time due to short power outage that had happened many times.
Contact, Operations and Training
Dr. Junji Iwahara, Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UTMB, serves as contact. Dr. Tianzhi Wang serves as NMR facility manager. For members of the GCC, the instrument is available on a fee-for-service basis ($8/hr). The NMR facility manager offers personalized instruction in the operation of the instrument. Instrument competence is required for a user to qualify for unassisted use.
See https://scsb.utmb.edu/resources/nmr_spec.asp for more information.
In June of 2006, the H/C/N cold probe was installed on the NMR. This probe substantially increased the sensitivity of the instrument (an s/n of ca. 6000:1 on the proton standard). In September of 2006, the cryogenic switch opened again for the 3rd time, but was rapidly returned to service. An agreement with Varian and Magnex on service for this continuing issue is largely complete.
Contact, Operations and Training
Dr. Edward Nikonowicz, Vice Director of the GCC MR, serves as the contact at Rice for the 800 MHz. Dr. Quinn Kleerekoper serves as laboratory manager. For members of the GCC, the instrument is available on a fee-for-service basis ($8/hr). The lab manager offers personalized instruction in the operation of the instrument. Instrument competence is required for a user to qualify for unassisted use.
Varian Inova 500 w/HCNP quad probe
Varian Inova 600 w/HCN cold probe (H and C double-enhanced)
Varian Inova 800 w/HCN cold probe (H only enhanced); GCC MR instrument
UTMB NMR via Sealy Center for Structural Biology
Varian Direct Drive 750 w/HCN triple probe
Varian Direct Drive 800 w/HCN cold probe (H only enhanced); GCC MR instrument
Varian Inova 600 w/HCN triple probe
Additional MR Capabilities Available to GCC Members
This facility gives GCC members access to a Bruker Avance TM 800 w/HCN cryoprobe. For details and to schedule access, contact Xiaolian Gao, Professor of Biology and Biochemistry.
Lab includes a Bruker AvanceTM 600 MHz NMR spectrometer system with 54 mm bore UltrashieldTM magnet, and electronics console capable of monitoring 4 channels, and a TXI (Inverse Triple Resonance) Cryoprobe (5 mm sample diameter) for observation of 1H while decoupling 13C and 15N, including 2D lock with actively shielded Z-gradient coil. Signal to noise is 1H > 6000:1 (0.1% ethyl benzene).
Houston’s MDA makes available a Bruker 300 MHz DPX and a Bruker 500 MHz DRX instruments on the North Campus and a Bruker 600 MHz Avance at the El Rio Facility.
The 300 MHz instrument features:
- 5 mm broad band observe probe (BBO) for monitoring most magnetic nuclei
- Custom built “quad” probe for observing 1H, 13C, 19F, and 195Pt
- Changing nuclei accomplished under software control
The 500-MHz instrument features:
- X, Y, and Z triple-axis pulsed field gradient capability
- Six probes
- 2.5-mm broad band observe probe for microsamples
- 5-mm broad band observe probe
- 5-mm broad band inverse detected probe
- 5-mm triple resonance probe for observing 1H, 13C, and 15N
- 5-mm triple resonance probe for observing 1H, 13C, and 31P
- 10-mm custom built “quad” probe for observing 1H, 13C, 19F, and 31P in biological samples such as cultured cells.
- Changing nuclei is accomplished under software control
A Case autosampler, which can process up to 24 samples, is also available for use with either spectrometer.
The 600-MHz spectrometer has the following features:
- Z-axis pulsed field gradient capability
- Seven Probes
- 5-mm broad band observe probe
- 5-mm broad band inverse detected probe
- 5-mm triple resonance probe for observing 1H, 13C, and 31P
- 5 mm dual resonance probe tunable to 1H and 19F
- 10-mm custom built “quad” probe for observing 1H, 13C, 19F, and 31P in biological samples such as cultured cells. Changing nuclei is accomplished under software control
- High Resolution Magic Angle Spinning probe for solids tunable to 1H and 13C
- High Resolution Magic Angle Spinning probe for solids tunable to 1H and 31P
For more information, contact:
Rice University
Quinn Kleerekoper, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
Phone: 713-348-3475
Email: qkk1@rice.edu
UT Medical Branch at Galveston
Tianzhi Wang, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
Phone: 409-747-6821
Email: tiawang@utmb.edu
Gulf Coast Consortia
Suzanne Tomlinson, Ph.D.
Phone: 713-348-4772
Email: smtomlin@rice.edu