NMR at 900 MHz

Abstract

The very first high-resolution NMR spectra recorded at 900 MHz in July 2000 have demonstrated the benefits of increased magnetic field strength for studies of large biomolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. Increased sensitivity and resolution for such molecules can only be observed in experiments that are optimized for transverse relaxation (TROSY). Substantial effects of magnetic alignment can easily be observed not only in paramagnetic proteins, but even in small molecules, such as chloroform. Such effects can be very useful for structural studies of biopolymers. The extreme resolution allows studies of very weak interactions in proteins. For instance, long-range H/D isotope effects are easily observed in H-N correlation experiments. The first systematic studies of relaxation properties of N-15 nuclei have been carried out for proteins at 500, 600, 800, and 900 MHz.