Project description
Improving the sensitivity of nuclear magnetic resonance
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a technique used for revealing the detailed structure of molecules in chemistry and biology. However, its low sensitivity often restricts the study of complex biomolecules and subtle molecular interactions. A method called dissolution dynamic nuclear polarisation (dDNP) can boost NMR signals up to 10 000-fold. However, it currently works for only a narrow range of samples. The key objective of the ERC-funded HypSurf project is to make dDNP broadly accessible by developing adaptable devices to equip standard NMR systems with dDNP. Researchers will also introduce an AI-guided method to expand compatible samples and demonstrate applications in structural biology, biomaterials and chemistry. The study is expected to set a new benchmark for high-resolution molecular analysis.
Objective
Across science, medicine, and industry, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a key technique with the unique capacity to provide atomistically detailed molecular models. Its primary drawback, however, lies in its low sensitivity, limiting its ability to address critical scientific questions. A potential answer is hyperpolarization via dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (dDNP), which can amplify NMR sensitivity 10,000-fold.
Despite this promise, dDNP remains a niche method constrained to a narrow range of substrates. Most experiments and nearly all biomolecules remain beyond dDNP’s reach; thus, a plethora of opportunities are missed.
HypSurf aims to exploit the full potential of dDNP by rendering it applicable to all solution-state biomolecular systems – for experiments across the entire biomolecular NMR toolbox. This transformative goal comprises three primary objectives:
1) Universal compatibility will be achieved by building Autonomous Interface Devices (AID): versatile and adaptable instrumentation to seamlessly update any NMR spectrometer with dDNP capabilities.
2) Maximized Substrate Scope will be achieved with artificial intelligence-driven Liquid-state Surface-ENhanced Spectroscopy (LiSENS): a resolution-enhanced method for dDNP-powered studies that uses simply water as a transporter of signal intensity. Thus, the requirement for the 10,000-fold signal boost by dDNP is narrowed down to mere solubility.
3) Confirmation of the versatility and prowess of AID and LiSENS will be achieved by providing super-resolution data at maximized sensitivity for an extensive set of cutting-edge applications in biomimetic materials, structural biology, and chemistry.
HypSurf has the potential to set a new standard for NMR by boosting both resolution and sensitivity by orders of magnitude beyond the current state-of-the-art. With extensive expertise in dDNP instrumentation, NMR methods, and biochemistry, the PI is uniquely positioned to lead this ambitious initiative.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy super resolution microscopy
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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Call for proposal
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(opens in new window) ERC-2025-COG
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1010 WIEN
Austria
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