Upgrade 600 MHz solid-state NMR console including MAS probe head

• Subject Area: Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: Funded in 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 420478124

We apply for an exchange console for a solid-state NMR spectrometer, including an ultrafast MAS probe head facilitating MAS frequencies up to 111 kHz to address following research topics:Structural and functional investigation of amyloid fibrils of the disease relevant proteins IAPP, Aß(1-42) and PrP: We aim to elucidate tertiary and quarternary structure of these amyloid fibrils by high-resolution solid-state NMR-spectroscopy, study ligand binding of small molecules to the surface of the fibrils. Structural rearrangements of fibrils upon the change of pH and salt concentration will be determined. Further, we will characterize the interaction between oligomeric Aß(1-42) and natively folded PrP on the molecular level. Finally, the biofilm formation of the functional amyloid TasA which can be studied in monomeric, oligomeric and as mature amyloid fibrils will be characterized in detail by determining the structures of the oligomeric and the fibrillar form.Besides classical solid-state NMR experiments involving 13C and 15N detection, we will also apply experiments based on 1H detection. For this purpose, a high-speed MAS probe head facilitating spinning speeds up to 111 kHz is mandatory. Besides experiments for resonance assignment and structure determination we will also apply and improve experiments for investigation of local dynamics. For this purpose, the membrane protein OmpX will serve as a model substance.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Upgrade 600 MHz Festkörper NMR-Konsole inkl. MAS-Probenkopf
• Instrumentation Group: 1740 Hochauflösende NMR-Spektrometer
• Applicant Institution: Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
• Leader: Professorin Dr. Henrike Heise