Solution NMR, CCiTUB, Barcelona, Spain

The NMR laboratory at the Scientific and Technical Center of the University of Barcelona (CCiTUB) is located within the Barcelona Science Park (PCB), a leading research hub in Southern Europe. The facility is part of the Spanish national infrastructure R-LRB and has recently joined the European network Instruct-ERIC, offering advanced NMR services to both expert and non-expert users.

The service provides access to high-field liquid-state NMR spectrometers (1.0 GHz, 800 MHz, and 600 MHz), equipped with cryoprobes and direct heteronuclear detection capabilities. These instruments support a wide range of applications in structural biology, drug discovery, and biologics characterisation, including the study of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs).

While protein NMR is often considered a sophisticated technique, the facility offers guidance and support to users with varying levels of expertise. Local research groups and expert staff assist in experimental design, sample preparation, and data interpretation, helping researchers identify how NMR can address their scientific questions.

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User Guide

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, from 9:00 to 18:00 (CET). Extended access may be arranged for long experiments or special needs.

This section provides detailed information on the instruments and services available at the CCiTUB NMR Facility, including how each system works, access modalities, and practical considerations for sample preparation and usage.

Bruker 1.0 GHz NMR Spectrometer

Configuration: Ascend Evo 4K magnet (23.5 T), Neo Console, TCI cryoprobe

Applications:

High-resolution studies of spectroscopically crowded systems such as intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and complex biologics
Fast acquisition of 3D experiments using Non-Uniform Sampling (NUS)
Complete assignment of ¹³C and ¹⁵N-labeled proteins in 2–3 days

Physical Access: Yes

Remote Access: Available for trained users or sample submission

Average Time of Visit: 2–3 days for full assignment experiments

Sample Preparation:

Users must provide samples in NMR tubes (typically 5 mm)
If samples are shipped, facility staff can transfer them into tubes but cannot perform additional manipulations
Basic lab equipment (pH meter, centrifuge, etc.) is available for on-site users

Bruker 800 MHz NMR Spectrometer

Configuration: Neo Console, TXO cryoprobe

Applications:

Direct ¹³C and ¹⁵N detection for systems affected by labile proton exchange
Ideal for IDPs, proline-rich sequences, and high molecular weight proteins
CON-type experiments with enhanced dispersion and visibility of residues lacking NH groups

Physical Access: Yes

Remote Access: Available for sample submission

Average Time of Visit: 1–2 days depending on experiment complexity

Sample Preparation: Same as above

Bruker 600 MHz NMR Spectrometer

Configuration: Neo Console, TCI cryoprobe

Applications:

Preliminary studies and routine biomolecular NMR
Comparative analysis with higher-field spectra
Suitable for protein-ligand interactions and small molecule analysis

Physical Access: Yes

Remote Access: Available for sample submission

Average Time of Visit: 1 day

Sample Preparation: Same as above

Additional Services

Spectral Reconstruction (NUS): Reconstruction of multidimensional spectra acquired using Non-Uniform Sampling is offered as a dedicated service.

Remote Access: Yes (data processing only)