Researchers from Queen's University in Canada have discovered a method for testing oxygen in large molecular systems. The findings will help in the research of proteins, DNA, RNA and other biological systems
Researchers from Queen's University in Canada have discovered a method for testing oxygen in large molecular systems. The findings will help in the research of proteins, DNA, RNA and other biological systems.
Biological molecules are found in all living things on earth and consist of four main elements - hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen. Until now, however, scientists have been able to use the analytical method of NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, NMR) to study three of these four elements, with the exception of oxygen, since its wavelengths are difficult to detect.
"The oxygen signals were so weak that no one could use them," says chemistry professor Gang Wu. "We have now found a way to detect them even in complex biomolecular systems."
The researcher and his colleagues used one of the most powerful NMD spectrometers in the world, located at the National NMD Facility at the Very High Field for Solids in Ottawa, to produce a magnetic field in which the wavelengths of the oxygen atoms can be detected. In addition, they enriched the oxygen atoms in the molecule through isotope enrichment, and applied new NMR methods in order to improve the detection sensitivity of the weak signals. The result was the receipt of increased wavelengths of oxygen. Now, thanks to the new method, scientists will be able to study all four main elements and learn much more about the chemical structure and reactions of large molecules.
The research findings were published in the scientific journal Angewandte Chemie.
