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Electron-Spin Resonance Spectroscopy

The research group is dedicated to modern electron-spin resonance (ESR/EPR) spectroscopy, from high-frequency EPR to methods at the interface with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and their applications in biological science. We have been investigating how to excite and detect paramagnetic centers and their coupled nuclear spins with microwave (mw) and radio frequency (rf) pulses to achieve information on active sites of proteins or on the global structure of biomolecules. One main strategy is to transfer the much larger polarization of electron spins to nuclear spins. To this end, developments of pulse schemes at high magnetic fields (≥ 3 Tesla) and corresponding resonant mw frequencies are in focus. The most representative applications are the investigation of enzymatic reactions involving paramagnetic intermediates, particularly the proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) in E. coli ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), and the exploration of long-range structural information in nucleic acids and transmembrane peptides by pulsed dipolar spectroscopy.

ENDOR for information from the atomic to nano scale

Electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR), particularly at high frequencies, permits to determine the distance as well as the orientation of nuclear spins in the ligand sphere (r < 1.5 nm) of a paramagnetic centre. For instance, hydrogen bond interactions in the active states of an enzyme can be detected that are not easily accessible by other techniques such as X-ray, cryo-EM or NMR. The combination of ENDOR with quantum chemical calculations becomes a unique tool to elucidate the structure of complex intermediates during enzymatic catalysis. We have recently demonstrated the spectroscopic detection of hydrogen bond networks in proteins via 2H ENDOR. The 17O detection of water molecules participating in proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET).

 

19F ENDOR for distance measurements: Fluorine labelling has been established in NMR as powerful and selective tool to extract structural information in biological systems. 19F can also be detected in ENDOR by taking advantage of the large electron spin polarization. We have recently shown that 19F ENDOR spectroscopy can be used to complement EPR distance measurements in the angstrom to nanometer range by introducing a nitroxide and a 19F in the molecule of study. This can be performed in nucleic acids as well as in enzyme and proteins. New labelling procedures to site-selectively introduce unnatural amino acids in proteins open the route for this type of studies. Currently, we are employing this method to address the open question of the PCET mechanism in RNR across the subunit interface. Measurement of the distance across the subunit interface in active E.coli RNR will provide important new structural information. 

Development of ENDOR pulse sequences (DFG SPP-1601): In the past year, we have started a detailed investigation of ENDOR pulse sequences to optimize their performance for different interaction ranges and different nuclear spins. We are examining the effect of nuclear spin relaxation and proposing new sequences based on electron spin lock and electron-nuclear cross polarization, to circumvent signal saturation effects. We have been implementing analytical and numerical tools to predict ENDOR signals based on a static spin Hamiltonian as well as density matrix formalism, product and single transition operators (Bejenke et al, Mol. Physics 2020).  The goal is to predict the efficiency of more complex pulse sequences in powder patterns under real sample conditions, i.e. low temperatures and high electron spin polarization.

 

Statistical methods for ENDOR (DFG-CRC 1456): Mathematical methods are gaining increasing importance in various fields of spectroscopy to extract weak signal from noise and baseline distortions. This applies also for ENDOR spectra, where resonances are often very broad and close to the baseline. In order to address this issue, we have started a collaboration with the group of S. Huckemann (Dept. Mathematical Stochastics, Göttingen) and Yvo Pokern (UCL London) focusing on statistical analysis of ENDOR data. This approach allows for the separation of signal drifts during long acquisition times and for the determination of the most-likely ENDOR signal with uncertainties, paving the way for more quantitative data analysis (Pokern et al., PNAS DOI 10.1073/pnas.2023615118).

Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP)

Adressing the sensitivity issue of nuclear magnetic resonance has been a long-standing goal and has continuously driven the community towards higher static magnetic fields, new detection technologies, and more complex radio frequency excitation schemes. Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) can significantly enhance the NMR signal by transferring the higher polarization from a polarizing agent (namely a paramagnetic center) to the target nuclei. In the liquid state at room temperature, the addition of stable organic radicals and irradiation of their electronic transitions via microwave can lead to NMR-signal enhancements up to two or three orders of magnitude. Our goal is to integrate DNP for routine NMR spectroscopy in the liquid state at room temperature, and then contribute to the development of the next generation of NMR methods.

The polarization transfer process critically depends on the chosen polarizing agent / target system as well as on the external magnetic field. Specifically, molecular diffusion, molecular collisions, structural reorientations, and transient bonding/complexations, all contribute to the DNP efficiency by modulating the hyperfine coupling between electron and nuclei. We aim at a deep understanding of the polarization transfer mechanisms in the liquid state. By using DNP instruments at different magnetic fields (0.34 T, 1.2 T, 3.4 T, and 9.4 T) we are characterizing new targets and polarizing agents to identify suited conditions to boost the NMR enhancements.


Humboldt Research Fellowship Luming Yang: 
Development and application of liquid-state Overhauser dynamic nuclear polarization at high magnetic field (≥ 9.4 Tesla)

Liquid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic methods are crucial in the structural elucidation of organic molecules and chemical reactions monitoring. The sensitivity of NMR for heteronucleus such as 13C, however, is often limited by the low gyromagnetic ratio and natural abundance of the NMR-active isotope. One emergent approach to improve the sensitivity of liquid-state NMR at high magnetic-field (≥ 9.4 T) is through Overhauser dynamic nuclear polarization (ODNP), whereby the polarization of a radical-centered electron spin is transferred to 13C nuclei of the target molecule under microwave irradiation. In this project, we focus on the development and application of ODNP in the enhancement of liquid-state NMR performance for 13C and other nuclei at 9.4 T. Specifically, we investigate the viability and efficiency of established NMR methods, including common polarization and coherence transfer mechanisms, upon application of ODNP. We also target at furthering the theoretical understanding of the ODNP mechanism and improving the ODNP efficiency through optimization of the sample preparation protocol. We envision this project could deliver new opportunities to the application of NMR in studying liquid systems in the context of chemical, biological, and material sciences.
 

Press releases & research news

The International Society of Magnetic Resonance (ISMAR), is an international network for researchers using and developing magnetic resonance technologies. ISMAR awards its fellowships to particularly committed scientists who not only stand out for their outstanding research, but also promote the exchange of ideas within the network.
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The research group leader receives 2.4 million euros of funding from the European Research Council for the next five years. The physical chemist and her team want to use the money to combine two methods: nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and electron spin resonance spectroscopy.   more

This year's Bruker Prize of the Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) Spectroscopy Group of the British Royal Society of Chemistry is awarded to Marina Bennati of the MPI for Biophysical Chemistry. The group honors the physico-chemist for her outstanding work in ESR spectroscopy. (in German) more

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Yearbook Article (2010)
Electron spins as probes for biomolecules
Unpaired electrons possess a magnetic moment, which is about three orders of magnitude larger than the one of a proton. This moment can be employed as a highly sensitive probe in EPR spectroscopic investigations to gain structural information at the atomic up to the nanometer scale. The experiments provide insights into structural changes of biomolecules during their functional states. We have developed and implemented multi-frequency EPR methodologies to investigate enzymatic reactions in proteins and oligonucleotides. (in German)
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