NMR Spectrometer Chosen by Harvard Medical School Laboratory for Biomolecular Applications

Agilent Technologies, Inc announced that Harvard Medical School has selected Agilent’s 700-MHz Ultra-High Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometer for biomolecular research applications.

The spectrometer will be used by the laboratories of Drs Gerhard Wagner and James Chou of the Harvard Medical School, to study protein structure and interaction. “Our goal is to develop NMR and mass spectrometry methods that will enable us to gain a better understanding of chronic myologenic leukemia through research into predictive biomarkers,” said Dr Wagner, the Elkan Rogers Blout Professor of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at Harvard.

“Ultimately this research may lead to improvements in the monitoring of patients undergoing drug treatment. We are confident that Agilent’s 700-MHz Ultra-High Field NMR spectrometer has the capabilities to help us achieve these goals.”

NMR is an important tool used to gain a greater understanding of the structure, function, and dynamics of biomolecules such as proteins, RNA and DNA. NMR experiments provide connectivity information as well as important data about the spatial orientation of the molecule, such as how it is folded or twisted in three dimensions, in its natural environment. This structural information is critical for applications where scientists desire a deeper understanding of protein or nucleic acid targets and their spatial relationships with other biomolecules.

“NMR applications are at the forefront of our expanded research products portfolio,” said Nick Roelofs, PhD, President, Agilent Life Sciences Group. “We will continue to work with the research community to ensure that our NMR solutions meet their needs, accelerating important discoveries that will enable a better understanding of complex biological systems.”

Agilent’s portfolio of ultra-high field NMR systems has been designed to deliver maximum performance across myriad sample types. For biomolecules in particular, Agilent is focused on achieving the highest possible measurement sensitivity with small sample volumes. The 700-MHz system also features an actively shielded magnet, which reduces stray magnetic fields, minimising space requirements for the placement of new systems.