Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Scientists developed magnetic based technique called as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. This NMR machine behaves typically like a very huge magnet. When atoms are positioned in the interior portion of NMR machine, atoms start to align themselves according to the magnetic fields as each atom behaves itself as a small magnet. Physicists utilized this property of atoms to predict physical structure, chemical composition, electronics field and related informations with the help of NMR spectroscopy.

Next in line to x-ray diffraction technology is nuclear magnetic resonance technology which helps in ultimate determination of molecular structures. The principle in which NMR works is magnetic resonance imaging. This has nothing to do with nuclear bombs or nuclear reactors as imagined; it is as simple as machines used by doctor to examine tissues and body organs. It is used in the medical biology field to predict the structure of genetic materials like RNA and DNA and carbohydrate structures.

Benefits of NMR

NMR benefits as it does not crystallization process as in x-ray crystallography and can be used as a molecule in solutions as such. NMR is continuously improved and is refined. The other problem of x-ray crystallography to handle more nucleotide bases is sorted out in NMR. Apart from structure prediction, it also helps in prediction of interaction with other atoms and its folding. This prediction is not possible in case of x-ray crystallography as it requires new crystals. NMR spectroscopy helps in easy prediction of protein structure and amino acid sequence.

NMR magic is in its magnet

NMR magnets are so strong to give high resolution protein image with the help of magnetic fields.  They are super conductors and hence, they are cooled inside liquid helium. Liquid nitrogen cools helium. When a slender glass tube is inserted in to the sample, it gets lined up like iron filings in the tube. Chemical shift plays a major role depending on the chemical environment. Chemical shifts are represented by peaks by generated radio waves and are called as one dimensional NMR spectrum. Each and every peak corresponds to one hydrogen atom. The spectra are so close in some molecules. Multi dimensional NMR is developed to overcome this difficulty. Computational programs are used to identify each and every protein spot. To arrange the atoms, Nuclear Overhauser Effect Spectroscopy (NOESY), a multi-dimensional NMR technique is developed. The more closer the proton, the more is the NOESY signal. This shows the distance between the atoms that exist.  It helps in easy understanding of protein folding, diseases that are due to misfolded proteins.