NMR Spectrometer Moves to Campus
Published on 22 October 2020
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis has moved a 500 megahertz (MHz) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis to the Academic and Research Building (ARB).
NMR spectroscopy is a non-destructive analytical technique that provides detailed information about the structure, dynamics, reaction state and chemical environment of molecules, and allows for the direct observation of hydrogen, carbon and a large number of elements.
“When proposing research and requesting grant funding, it’s advantageous to show that you have access to the instruments required to help you accomplish the research you’re proposing, and we use NMR extensively in structure elucidation and the monitoring of reactions,” said Bahaa Elgendy, Ph.D., assistant professor of medicinal chemistry. “Bringing the NMR spectrometer to campus makes our research mission a little easier because it’s a tool that we will be using daily.”
Previously, University researchers and research students had been renting time from the School of Medicine to use its NMR spectrometer.
“Washington University School of Medicine is gifting us the 500 MHz NMR spectrometer, and we’ve made arrangements to accommodate it on the first floor of the ARB,” said Eric Knoll, Ph.D., vice president for operations at the University. “This investment in our own research is bringing an invaluable instrument to campus which will ultimately help us work more independently.”
The new tool also provides more opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience with NMR spectroscopy which is valuable for those interested in pursuing careers in pharmaceutical chemistry or research.
“Having direct, on-campus access to the NMR spectrometer will help students gain insight on how advanced chemistry concepts being discussed in the classroom are being put to use in research,” Elgendy added.
The addition of the NMR spectrometer represents another milestone for the University as it continues to expand research initiatives and experiential learning opportunities for students interested in pharmacy and health sciences careers.
For more information about research at the University, visit uhsp.edu/research.
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