High-field biomolecular DNP

People working with me on this project at CRMN: S. Medina-Gomez (post-doc), K. Sharma (post-doc), Z. Sun (post-doc), J. Schlagnitweit (CRCN CNRS), A. Lesage (IRHC CNRS).

Collaborators: Dr. A. Loquet (Bordeaux, FR), Pr. K. Jaudzems (University of Riga, LV), Pr. R. G. Griffin (MIT, USA).

This project leverages dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) to significantly enhance the sensitivity of biomolecular solid-state NMR, enabling detailed analysis of complex assemblies like amyloid fibrils, membrane proteins, and virus capsids. While DNP has shown exceptional potential for structural studies at high magnetic fields and fast MAS, challenges remain in achieving high spectral resolution due to line broadening at cryogenic temperatures and the lack of reliable site-specific assignment methods. To address these, the project focuses on developing new sample formulations, labeling strategies, advanced pulse sequences, and innovative assignment methods. Initial tests on model systems will refine these techniques, which will then be applied to study more intricate biomolecular targets, including vaccine components and fibrillar structures.

See: Jaudzems et al. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018, 57, 7458; Jaudzems et al. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021, 60, 12847.