Biomolecular Spectroscopy – NMR

Contact Professor Melanie Cocco (949-824-4487) for access to the 800 MHz NMR spectrometer or Biacore instrument

800Mhz     Varian 800 MHz NMR spectrometer

Access to the NMR Facility and its Services

NMR Safety

  • NMR facility serves UCI and outside users
  • Chemistry users can contact Phil Dennison for use of the 800 MHz NMR spectrometer
  • Rate for UCI users is $7.50 per hour, please inquire about the rate for the outside users
  • Individuals who have undergone user training, been checked-out, and have reviewed and understand the Facility’ safety rules may independently operate the spectrometer without direct supervision.
  • Individuals who have not undergone training and been checked-out may submit samples to be run by Facility Staff. This option is recommended for users who have infrequent need for NMR, or for those who have occasional need of advanced techniques.
  • Users are not allowed to operate the spectrometer or to run Varian vnmr software remotely. Connection to the spectrometer’s computer will be closely monitored. The second work station computer is available for processing and analyzing the data.

Data Storage

It is possible to retrieve data over the internet. The spectrometer’s computer in the Facility does NOT serve data storage purposes. It is users’ responsibility to backup their data. The Facility Staff will retain the right to delete any data residing the hard disk for more than two months without issuing warnings.

NMR Tubes

Only Wilmad 528-PP or better NMR tubes, or their equivalent, are approved for use in this NMR Facility. For best results on Varian 800MHz, Wilmad 535-PP (or 542-PP) NMR tube is strongly recommended. Users must use Wilmad 542-PP NMR tube if you want to spin the sample. Tubes must be kept externally CLEAN! Chipped or cracked NMR tubes are not allowed in the NMR spectrometer. The use of a substandard and/or dirty NMR tube can damage the NMR spectrometer’s probe. Probe damage and instrument downtime resulting from the use of a substandard NMR tube will be charged to the research group responsible for the damage.

Financial Responsibility for Charges and Damages

The principal investigators of NMR users are responsible for damages that result from either negligent use of the spectrometer/equipment or from samples that are explosive, pressurized, chemically corrosive, radioactive, biologically dangerous, or that otherwise pose unusual hazards to the spectrometer or personnel. In all such cases, prior permission and advice should be sought regarding to these special samples, but permission does not absolve any user from responsibility for whatever harm their samples may cause to the Facility. The Facility will cover normal wear and tear on the equipment.

Biohazaradous Materials and Chemicals

The NMR Facility is not equipped with the laboratory bench; hence all sample preparation must be done at the users’ lab. Biomaterial and chemical wastes must be disposed in the users’ lab.

 Equipment specifications:

  • Housed in 1394 Natural Sciences I
  • 18.8T 63mm Bore Oxford Superconducting Magnet operating at 2.2 K.
  • Varian UnityInova 800 MHz High-Resolution NMR Console
  • Four RF channels: two dual fullband RF systems include two 30-900MHz RF transmitter modules, one 100W (700-850MHz) and one 1kW (6-220MHz) linear amplifier modules; and two broadband RF systems include two 20-480 MHz RF transmitter modules, and one 1kW (6-220 MHz) and one 400W (70-330MHz) broadband linear amplifier modules.
  • Three High performance Waveform Generators provide high-speed generation and efficient storage of complex waveforms and asynchronous waveform looping for complex broadband decoupling.
  • Three-channel Performa X,Y,Z Pulsed Field Gradient Module.
  • Deuterium Automation Module provides automated RF signal routing for deuterium gradient shimming and deuterium decoupling.
  • Phase Modulator provides for each RF channel with digital pre-programmed phase modulation including WALTZ16, GARP1, XY32, MLEV16, and other modulation schemes.
  • Variable Temperature Unit and Preconditioning VT Unit provide liquid sample temperature control.
  • 1H{13C/15N} 5mm Tri-axis PFG Triple Resonance probe: Inverse Detection probe for triple resonance experiments of biomolecular samples, capability for simultaneous or single irradiation of 13C and 15N frequencies, optimized for highest 1H sensitivity, excellent RF homogeneity and salt tolerance, and high power 2H lock for deuterium decoupling.
  • 1H{13C/31P} 5mm Tri-axis PFG Triple Resonance probe: Inverse Detection probe for triple resonance experiments of biomolecular samples, capability for simultaneous or single irradiation of 13C and 31P frequencies, optimized for highest 1H sensitivity, excellent RF homogeneity and salt tolerance, and high power 2H lock for deuterium decoupling.
  • SUN Blade 2000 (1GB memory, 73GB hard disk, 24bit PGX64 graphic card, DVD-ROM drive, and 900MHz UltraSPARC-III CPU) with 18-inch Flat Panel Display.
  • SUN Blade 1500 (1GB memory, 73GB hard disk, 24bit XVR100 graphic card, DVD-ROM drive, and 1GHz UltraSPARC-III CPU) with 18-inch Flat Panel Display.
  • HP LaserJet 2200d Printer