Very-High Field NMR in the Physical and Life Sciences at the University of Liverpool
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Liverpool
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
The objectives of the proposal are to upgrade and reconfigure the existing 800 MHz solution-state NMR spectrometer to a dual solution-solid NMR spectrometer. This dual configuration is similar to other NMR systems successfully used worldwide and is strategically differentiated from any of the existing UK high field provision. The upgraded system will provide opportunities to do new science not previously possible in Liverpool and the UK, in both academia and industry. In addition, the new system will become one component of the UK hub and spoke network of NMR instrumentation, with up to 30% of its time offered to the wider UK research community across the physical and life sciences, and is configured to complement other high field instruments (> 600 MHz), providing the flexibility for NMR infrastructure at the highest available field to respond to changes in research priorities and opportunities.
NMR spectroscopy is the most versatile of all the analytical tools; it provides insights into molecular structure, dynamics, and interactions. The higher sensitivity and resolution delivered with very-high field NMR are transformative, providing information not accessible at lower field strength.
The new dual solution-solid capabilities will support, extend and enhance research activities where there is excellence in the region and UK-wide (see Academic Beneficiaries) such as advanced chemical- and bio- materials, renewable energy, industrial biotechnology, personalised medicine and human/animal health. They will also strengthen and/or catalyse new academic-industrial collaborations, focusing on and exploiting areas of priority to the region and the UK. Examples include:
(1) Structure determination of biological and chemical molecules and supra-molecular aggregates in solution and solid states;
(2) Folding of linear polypeptides into complex biologically-active 3D structures, and the ways in which these processes can be altered or subverted in neurodegenerative diseases and cancer;
(3) Catalytic processes, and the detailed analysis of the structure and dynamics of complex materials;
(4) Metabolism within intact cells and organisms.
UK research support targets strengthening the UK's competitive position in key priority areas. By upgrading to state-of-the-art instrumentation, the proposed 800 MHz upgrade will enable UK research communities to continue to make major contributions across the range of research challenges aligned with national agendas and strategic priorities, and to respond rapidly and flexibly to initiatives such as the Industrial Strategy Challenge and the Global Challenges Research Funds.
We will deliver on this major investment in NMR by:
(1) Progressing a challenging scientific agenda based on national priorities such as advanced materials, renewable energy, industrial biotechnology and synthetic biology, and core health challenges;
(2) Ensuring that the UK is at the forefront of NMR technique development in both solution and solid state, by capitalising on our collective knowledge and experience, and providing training to the community through courses and summer schools;
(3) Attracting industrial support, partnerships and engagement, founded upon a strong collective track record of using our scientific capabilities and assets to support economic growth;
(4) Maximising the effective use of capital assets to ensure efficient provision of NMR access, building on our pioneering experience in equipment sharing of the N8, and operating and managing national facilities, within a long-term sustainability plan;
(5) Aligning with the core individual institutional strategy of the University, as demonstrated by substantial institutional contributions towards the costs;
(6) Developing annual reporting systems and symposia to disseminate findings and open new research strategies, and monitoring performance using defined Key Performance Indicators.
NMR spectroscopy is the most versatile of all the analytical tools; it provides insights into molecular structure, dynamics, and interactions. The higher sensitivity and resolution delivered with very-high field NMR are transformative, providing information not accessible at lower field strength.
The new dual solution-solid capabilities will support, extend and enhance research activities where there is excellence in the region and UK-wide (see Academic Beneficiaries) such as advanced chemical- and bio- materials, renewable energy, industrial biotechnology, personalised medicine and human/animal health. They will also strengthen and/or catalyse new academic-industrial collaborations, focusing on and exploiting areas of priority to the region and the UK. Examples include:
(1) Structure determination of biological and chemical molecules and supra-molecular aggregates in solution and solid states;
(2) Folding of linear polypeptides into complex biologically-active 3D structures, and the ways in which these processes can be altered or subverted in neurodegenerative diseases and cancer;
(3) Catalytic processes, and the detailed analysis of the structure and dynamics of complex materials;
(4) Metabolism within intact cells and organisms.
UK research support targets strengthening the UK's competitive position in key priority areas. By upgrading to state-of-the-art instrumentation, the proposed 800 MHz upgrade will enable UK research communities to continue to make major contributions across the range of research challenges aligned with national agendas and strategic priorities, and to respond rapidly and flexibly to initiatives such as the Industrial Strategy Challenge and the Global Challenges Research Funds.
We will deliver on this major investment in NMR by:
(1) Progressing a challenging scientific agenda based on national priorities such as advanced materials, renewable energy, industrial biotechnology and synthetic biology, and core health challenges;
(2) Ensuring that the UK is at the forefront of NMR technique development in both solution and solid state, by capitalising on our collective knowledge and experience, and providing training to the community through courses and summer schools;
(3) Attracting industrial support, partnerships and engagement, founded upon a strong collective track record of using our scientific capabilities and assets to support economic growth;
(4) Maximising the effective use of capital assets to ensure efficient provision of NMR access, building on our pioneering experience in equipment sharing of the N8, and operating and managing national facilities, within a long-term sustainability plan;
(5) Aligning with the core individual institutional strategy of the University, as demonstrated by substantial institutional contributions towards the costs;
(6) Developing annual reporting systems and symposia to disseminate findings and open new research strategies, and monitoring performance using defined Key Performance Indicators.
Planned Impact
The proposed upgrades will, through its interaction with the internationally-leading and interdisciplinary Centres of Excellence in the region and UK-wide, impact on a broad spectrum of UK industries, including:
(1) Supporting and growing the UK chemical industry. The sector has a turnover exceeding £50Bn and over 180,000 employees working in 3000 organizations, and represents around 10% of value added in UK manufacturing, equivalent to 2.2% of GDP;
(2) Strengthening the UK's competitiveness in the global market for advanced functional materials, which is expected to generate revenue of £85Bn by 2018 and is one of the UK government's 8 Great Technologies, representing 15% of the country's GDP. New and accelerated approaches to designing functionality into molecules, components and processes are required, which will be based on understanding structure- property-process relationships;
(3) Enhancing the UK's role in the development of renewable energy generation and storage and in the mitigation of anthropomorphic climate effects. Over the last six years, the UK's solar photovoltaic capacity has increased from virtually nothing to more than 11,000 MW, with significant economic impact (turnover > £6Bn, providing > 30,000 jobs in 2013). The development of more efficient solar photovoltaic devices, and of photocatalytic processes, relies on the characterization of ultrafast charge carrier dynamics and loss processes;
(4) Providing state-of-the-art infrastructure for the UK biomedical-life science sector, which has a turnover in the region of £50Bn. The life sciences cluster in the North of England alone accounts for between 21% and 23% of the UK sector, with 925 companies employing 38,000 people and generating £10.9Bn in turnover. This spans Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Analytics, Diagnostics, Contract research, Contract manufacturing, Medical devices, Healthcare;
(5) Guiding advances in industrial biotechnology (IB), which is a burgeoning area and a cornerstone of the European IB economy that will transform industries as varied as chemicals, waste, energy and plastics with a combined value of £81Bn and 800,000 UK jobs. The N8 region is very well placed to capitalise on and contribute to this economic explosion, with its unique interdisciplinary profile in biotechnology and its strong connections with industrial stakeholders in Europe and internationally. For example the Centre of Excellence in Biopharmaceuticals alone has engaged with 52 companies, both SMEs and larger organisations, in the region, the UK and internationally;
(6) Advancing the UK's global standing in the emerging area of nanomedicines and nanomaterial-based therapies. Global clinical use of nanomedicines benefits patients daily and has considerable market value, predicted to be > £120Bn this year. The development and validation of new nanomedicines and delivery technologies require optimization of product performance, and demonstration of pharmaceutically-relevant manufacturing and in-man pharmacokinetic studies. Apart from their economic impact, development and optimization of nanomedicine and nanomaterial-based therapies will have a significant impact on life expectancy and quality of life.
(1) Supporting and growing the UK chemical industry. The sector has a turnover exceeding £50Bn and over 180,000 employees working in 3000 organizations, and represents around 10% of value added in UK manufacturing, equivalent to 2.2% of GDP;
(2) Strengthening the UK's competitiveness in the global market for advanced functional materials, which is expected to generate revenue of £85Bn by 2018 and is one of the UK government's 8 Great Technologies, representing 15% of the country's GDP. New and accelerated approaches to designing functionality into molecules, components and processes are required, which will be based on understanding structure- property-process relationships;
(3) Enhancing the UK's role in the development of renewable energy generation and storage and in the mitigation of anthropomorphic climate effects. Over the last six years, the UK's solar photovoltaic capacity has increased from virtually nothing to more than 11,000 MW, with significant economic impact (turnover > £6Bn, providing > 30,000 jobs in 2013). The development of more efficient solar photovoltaic devices, and of photocatalytic processes, relies on the characterization of ultrafast charge carrier dynamics and loss processes;
(4) Providing state-of-the-art infrastructure for the UK biomedical-life science sector, which has a turnover in the region of £50Bn. The life sciences cluster in the North of England alone accounts for between 21% and 23% of the UK sector, with 925 companies employing 38,000 people and generating £10.9Bn in turnover. This spans Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Analytics, Diagnostics, Contract research, Contract manufacturing, Medical devices, Healthcare;
(5) Guiding advances in industrial biotechnology (IB), which is a burgeoning area and a cornerstone of the European IB economy that will transform industries as varied as chemicals, waste, energy and plastics with a combined value of £81Bn and 800,000 UK jobs. The N8 region is very well placed to capitalise on and contribute to this economic explosion, with its unique interdisciplinary profile in biotechnology and its strong connections with industrial stakeholders in Europe and internationally. For example the Centre of Excellence in Biopharmaceuticals alone has engaged with 52 companies, both SMEs and larger organisations, in the region, the UK and internationally;
(6) Advancing the UK's global standing in the emerging area of nanomedicines and nanomaterial-based therapies. Global clinical use of nanomedicines benefits patients daily and has considerable market value, predicted to be > £120Bn this year. The development and validation of new nanomedicines and delivery technologies require optimization of product performance, and demonstration of pharmaceutically-relevant manufacturing and in-man pharmacokinetic studies. Apart from their economic impact, development and optimization of nanomedicine and nanomaterial-based therapies will have a significant impact on life expectancy and quality of life.
Organisations
- University of Liverpool (Lead Research Organisation)
- Koura Global (Collaboration)
- Innovis Films Ltd (Collaboration)
- Bruker Corporation (Collaboration)
- University of Warwick (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL (Collaboration)
- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) (Collaboration)
- N8 Research Partnership (Project Partner)
- Knowledge Centre for Materials Chemistry (Project Partner)
Publications
Woike D
(2024)
The Shank/ProSAP N-Terminal (SPN) Domain of Shank3 Regulates Targeting to Postsynaptic Sites and Postsynaptic Signaling.
in Molecular neurobiology
Wheeler S
(2022)
Anion binding to a cationic europium(III) probe enables the first real-time assay of heparan sulfotransferase activity.
in Organic & biomolecular chemistry
Pugliese A
(2022)
New Development in Understanding Drug-Polymer Interactions in Pharmaceutical Amorphous Solid Dispersions from Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.
in Molecular pharmaceutics
London JA
(2021)
Synthesis and toxicity profile in 293 human embryonic kidney cells of the ß D-glucuronide derivatives of ortho-, meta- and para-cresol.
in Carbohydrate research
Duff BB
(2023)
Toward Understanding of the Li-Ion Migration Pathways in the Lithium Aluminum Sulfides Li3AlS3 and Li4.3AlS3.3Cl0.7 via 6,7Li Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.
in Chemistry of materials : a publication of the American Chemical Society
Corti L
(2023)
Disorder and Oxide Ion Diffusion Mechanism in La1.54Sr0.46Ga3O7.27 Melilite from Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Castillo-Blas C
(2023)
Interfacial Bonding between a Crystalline Metal-Organic Framework and an Inorganic Glass.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Description | The aim of this proposal is to upgrade the very-high (800 MHz) field NMR facility at the University of Liverpool (UoL) which will provide the UoL and UK research community with access to world-leading, state-of-the-art NMR instrumentation. The Facility will provide scientific expertise, technical support and assistance to users, benefiting the physical and life sciences research communities as a whole as well as the NMR research community. The proposed Facility has so far: (1) Procure and upgrade the existing 800 MHz solution-state NMR spectrometer in Liverpool to be reconfigured as a dual solution-solid state system to provide new capability for solid state NMR, meeting this local and regional need and ensuring that we can rapidly react to changes in demand. (2) Underpin, enable and extend the world-leading research of the UoL, the north and the UK, greatly enhancing capability, capacity and efficiency in NMR infrastructure, and allow the UoL and the UK to continue to be internationally competitive in its ability to tackle important scientific problems across the physical and life sciences. (3) Ensure that the very-high field solid-state system is available to the UK wide community and that this new capability is used optimally, for those experiments in any project that will obtain a decisive advantage from the use of the high field. (4) Drive for a comprehensive UK-wide network of shared access and expertise, which will allow the UK high field NMR infrastructure to achieve scientific excellence and optimise resource allocation. This includes aspiration to facilitate a single point of access to cutting-edge NMR equipment and expertise for a wide range of academic and industrial users. (5) Engage fully with the other UK NMR centres whose infrastructures constitute the spokes of a national hub and spoke network. These are invaluable both for resource-intensive NMR projects and for the development of next-generation experiments. Our engagement will be UK-wide wherever possible. |
Exploitation Route | Being strongly involved in the network of interconnected very and ultra high field NMR facilities in the UK; lead PI of the national Connect NMR UK network |
Sectors | Chemicals,Construction,Education,Energy,Environment,Healthcare,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Transport |
URL | https://www.connectnmruk.ac.uk |
Description | Regional research facilities used by the industrial sectors as capabilities are not accessible to them. This create cultural impact (ways of working, research partnership), and economic impact (product development for the industrial sector, research partnership). |
First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
Sector | Chemicals,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Electronics,Energy,Environment,Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Transport |
Impact Types | Cultural,Societal,Economic |
Description | PG course in NMR spectroscopy |
Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
Policy Influence Type | Citation in systematic reviews |
Impact | Knowledge transfer |
Description | Connect NMR UK: A National NMR Network for the Physical and Life Sciences |
Amount | £344,249 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/S035958/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2019 |
End | 09/2024 |
Description | NMR at 1.2 GHz: A World-Leading UK Facility to Deliver Advances in Biology, Chemistry, and Materials Science |
Amount | £23,187 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/X019756/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2023 |
End | 12/2027 |
Description | PhD studentship EPSRC iCASE Award with Johnson Matthey |
Amount | £119,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2021 |
End | 08/2025 |
Description | PhD studentship partiallly funded by BMS |
Amount | £65,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2022 |
End | 08/2025 |
Description | Post-Consumer Resin - Understanding the quality-performance linkage for packaging |
Amount | £751,327 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/V010778/1 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2020 |
End | 10/2023 |
Description | The UK High-Field Solid-State NMR National Research Facility |
Amount | £2,431,377 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/T015063/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2020 |
End | 01/2025 |
Description | University of Liverpool Innov Placements |
Amount | £66,049 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/S515498/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2018 |
End | 03/2020 |
Description | Very-High Field NMR in the Physical and Life Sciences at the University of Liverpool |
Amount | £1,277,656 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/S013393/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2018 |
End | 12/2021 |
Title | Information sharing of available capabilities |
Description | Website describing the available capabilities |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Wider engagement from the community |
URL | https://www.connectnmruk.ac.uk |
Title | Nuclear Magnetic Resonance UK Network Connect NMR UK |
Description | Discussion forum between Nuclear Magnetic Resonance facilities |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | N/A yet |
Title | Nuclear Magnetic Resonance at Very High Field |
Description | New Capital Equipment operating as Regional Research Facilities |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | New chemical and biological systems can be studied |
URL | https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/integrative-biology/facilities-and-services/nmr-centre-for-structural-bi... |
Description | Bruker UK |
Organisation | Bruker Corporation |
Country | United States |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Research team provides a platform for dissemination of best practise |
Collaborator Contribution | Partner provides expertise and best practice |
Impact | Provision of expertise by staff members and dissemination of best practice |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | GSK |
Organisation | GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) |
Country | Global |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | User engagement |
Collaborator Contribution | User engagement |
Impact | Sharing of facilities |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Innovia Films |
Organisation | Innovis Films Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Provision of equipment time and consulting |
Collaborator Contribution | Provision of materials |
Impact | Not yet applicable. Multi-displinary |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Koura Global |
Organisation | Koura Global |
Department | Koura Global, UK |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Use of facilities |
Collaborator Contribution | Provision of research samples |
Impact | Multidisplinary - NMR and materials |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | NMR at 1.2 GHz: A World-Leading UK Facility to Deliver Advances in Biology, Chemistry and Materials Science |
Organisation | University of Warwick |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Collaborative project securing £17M from UKRI for the next generation of NMR system |
Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative project securing £17M from UKRI for the next generation of NMR system: partner led the bid |
Impact | Too early |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | NMR partnership across the Faculties at the University of Liverpool |
Organisation | University of Liverpool |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Access to facilities and expertise in solid-state NMR |
Collaborator Contribution | Access to facilities and expertise in liquid-state NMR |
Impact | Provision of access to facilities |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | The UK Solid State NMR National Research Facility |
Organisation | University of Warwick |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Management of the UK Solid State NMR National Research Facility |
Collaborator Contribution | Co-management of the UK Solid State NMR National Research Facility |
Impact | Scientific output from the Facility at https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/physics/research/condensedmatt/nmr/850/publications/ |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | EPSRC Analytical Science workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Food for thoughts gathering exercise from the council |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Organisation of a workshop "how to run NMR facilities under Covid" |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Workshop to discuss access to scientific instrument during Covid |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Pint of Science Outreach Event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Outreach even to the general public highlighting recent research output in Chemistry at Liverpool |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://pintofscience.co.uk/event/invisible-science |