About

Vanderbilt Biomolecular NMR Facility

Overview and Services

The Biomolecular NMR Core offers state-of-the-art instrumentation and expert support for analyzing molecules with a focus on high resolution and sensitivity. We specialize in biomolecular structures, interactions, dynamics studies, or NMR Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR by NMR), a fragment-based drug discovery approach to identify, optimize, and connect small molecules binding to nearby sites on protein or peptide targets. Additionally, we provide standardized and quantified metabolomic and lipidomic analyses of biofluids.
Our services encompass advanced training, software access, and experimental design assistance with the goal to empower the Vanderbilt Community and External Users to fully leverage biomolecular NMR or utilize the high sensitivity of our instrumentation for any molecule.

The Biomolecular NMR Core offers a variety of services to study any molecule by NMR. For or details, please contact Dr. Markus Voehler. Here are the most common studies we engage in:

  • Biomolecular structures, interactions, or dynamic studies (protein, DNA, RNA) by NMR
  • Small molecule (drug) screening, SAR by NMR
  • Binding studies
  • Protein folding studies
  • Effects of mutations on structures
  • Deuterium Exchange studies to identify backbone amide exposure to the solvent
  • Diffusion measurements
  • Biomolecular and biochemical analytics
  • Peptide analysis using proton or carbon detect methods
  • Highest sensitivity and resolution for one or n-dimensional measurements for proton, carbon, fluorine, or deuterium on small and larger molecules
  • Natural abundance carbon or nitrogen fingerprint spectra

All instruments can handle various sample tubes, e.g. the standard 5mm 7" or 8" tubes, as well as the 3mm 4" tubes using the match spinners. These tubes are available at the chemistry storeroom. Smaller tubes can also be used at special requests.

Location and Insturmentation

The Biomolecular NMR Facility is located at the heart of the Vanderbilt campus as part of the Stevenson Sciences complex. The facility currently operates four Bruker spectrometers: Two Avance AV-III 600, one Avance AV-III 800 and one Avance AV-III 900. All instruments are housed in a dedicated NMR building.

Each spectrometer is fully equipped with hardware for modern multi-nuclear experiments including cryoprobes, gradients and the capability for multi-channel pulsing with deuterium decoupling. All systems with CRP's are equipped with nitrogen liquefiers. 600-specimen Sample Changers (SampleJets) have been installed on the two 600 and 900 MHz spectrometers for high-throughput measurements.

  • 900 MHz NMR Spectrometer with CPTCI probe (1H, 2H, 13C, 15N) for high sensitivity on proton and carbon (cold)
  • 800 MHz NMR Spectrometer with CPTCI probe (1H, 2H, 13C, 19F, 15N) for high sensitivity on proton, carbon and fluorine (cold)
  • 600 MHz NMR Spectrometer with CPTCI probe (1H, 2H, 13C, 15N) for high sensitivity on proton and carbon (cold)
  • 600 MHz NMR Spectrometer with BBI probe primarily used and certified for In Vitro Diagnostic research, analyzing biofluids for metabolites and lipid composition

Our He re-liquification plant recovers He at > 90% so the magnet will not be as dependent on helium supply and price fluctuations.

 

Acknowledgment language for academic papers and grant applications

“The Biomolecular NMR Core is supported in part by grants for NMR instrumentation from the NSF-MRI (0922862), acquisition of a 900 MHz Ultra-High Field NMR spectrometer in 2009; NIH (S10 RR025677) for console upgrades on all biomolecular NMR spectrometers in 2009; NIH (R35GM118089-04S1), NIH supplement for the helium liquefier in 2019; NIH S10OD034276 to replace the 800 MHz spectrometer in 2024, accompanied by Vanderbilt University matching funds.”

 

IMORTANT: iLab is used for billing purposes only. If you want to use the Biomolecular NMR Facility, please visit the scheduler and all the information at the Biomolecular NMR Web site here.

 

Core Staff

Dr. Markus Voehler
Director of Operations
m.voehler@vanderbilt.edu
VUBNMR 107

Office:       615-322-1573
NMR Lab:  615-322-1570

 

Dr. Donald Stec
Backup
donald.f.stec@vanderbilt.edu
SC 1119 (Math Building basement)

Office:   615-322-6704

Phone : 615-343-9255 (Stevenson Center 1119 lab)
Phone : 615-936-5807 (MRB-IV Lab 12440)

 

Hours of Operation and Mailing Address

Hours Mailing Address

 24/7                   
Vanderbilt University
Department of Chemistry
7330 Stevenson Center
Station B 351822
Nashville,  TN,  37235-1822

Links and Resources

  1. Biomolecular NMR Facility - Vanderbilt
  2. What is Biomolecular NMR?

Leadership

Dr. Walter Chazin
Professor
Chancellor's Chair in Medicne
Director, Molecular Biophysics Training Program
Director, Center for Structural Biology
Director at Large, NMR Facilities
walter.chazin@vanderbilt.edu

 

Dr. Charles (Chuck) Sanders
Professor
Associate Dean for Research in the Basic Sciences
Professor, Biochemistry
Scientific Director, NMR Facilities
chuck.sanders@Vanderbilt.Edu