Final Report Summary - NANOMRI (Three-dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging at Molecular Resolution)
A magnetic resonance force microscope (MRFM) is a very sensitive variety of the scanning force microscope, capable of performing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at a lengthscale of a few nanometers. In our ERC project we explore whether such a “Nano-MRI” technique is a useful tool for biomolecular structure determination. If successful, Nano-MRI may enable three-dimensional imaging of single biomolecules with chemical contrast and no radiation damage.
In this ERC project, our team has installed an MRFM instrument capable of performing such Nano-MRI experiments. Initial demonstration imaging scans showed a one-dimensional resolution of about 5 nanometer, with sub-nanometer stability. A new generation of micromechanical sensors and nanomagnetic tips was developed that has improved the magnetic sensitivity by about 10x, and is expected to improve the imaging resolution to 1-2 nanometers. A protocol for detecting several NMR-active isotopes simultaneously was conceived and demonstrated, allowing for parallel MRI of several chemical elements. Several routes for preparing stable-isotope (2H, 13C) labeled biological complexes (namely, tobacco mosaic and influenza virus particles) were implemented to add targeted (elemental) contrast to images. Four ERC-supported postdocs and five PhD students with backgrounds in physics, nanotechnology and biochemistry have contributed to this progress.
In this ERC project, our team has installed an MRFM instrument capable of performing such Nano-MRI experiments. Initial demonstration imaging scans showed a one-dimensional resolution of about 5 nanometer, with sub-nanometer stability. A new generation of micromechanical sensors and nanomagnetic tips was developed that has improved the magnetic sensitivity by about 10x, and is expected to improve the imaging resolution to 1-2 nanometers. A protocol for detecting several NMR-active isotopes simultaneously was conceived and demonstrated, allowing for parallel MRI of several chemical elements. Several routes for preparing stable-isotope (2H, 13C) labeled biological complexes (namely, tobacco mosaic and influenza virus particles) were implemented to add targeted (elemental) contrast to images. Four ERC-supported postdocs and five PhD students with backgrounds in physics, nanotechnology and biochemistry have contributed to this progress.