Date: Apr 11, 2011 Source: Company Data (
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Bridge12 and Agilent First to Provide Turn-key DNP NMR Solution, Reducing Duration of Solid-state NMR Experiments from Weeks to Minutes
Cambridge, Mass. -- April 11, 2011 -- Bridge12 Technologies, a leading provider of terahertz technology for applications in science, medicine, security and defense, today announces it has entered into an agreement with Agilent to collaborate on technology for dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) enhanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. As part of the collaboration, Bridge12 will provide gyrotrons, a critical component for an emerging application known as DNP, which accelerates NMR experiments that typically require weeks to be performed in minutes.
Under the agreement, Bridge12 will provide critical terahertz components to enable DNP NMR with Agilent spectrometers, including Bridge12's terahertz gyrotron and transmission line system. Where other solutions require expensive proprietary equipment, Bridge12's gyrotron can be retrofitted to existing spectrometers and requires no changes to the facility's layout.
Applying DNP to NMR experiments significantly improves measurement sensitivity for solid-state samples, reducing the duration of experiments by several orders of magnitude. Structure determination of proteins at atomic resolution by solid-state NMR (SSNMR) spectroscopy is a time-consuming, iterative process. Signal intensities are typically very small due to the very small gyromagnetic ratio of the nuclei under study, such as 1H, 2H, 13C, and 15N. However, free electrons possess a magnetic moment that is 660 times larger than that of protons. In a DNP experiment this polarization can be transferred to surrounding nuclei by radiating the sample with terahertz radiation to boost NMR signal intensities. With DNP, experiments that typically require several weeks of signal averaging can be performed in minutes. This acceleration is of great value in structural biology, pharmaceutical research and material science.
"Bridge12 gyrotrons for Agilent's spectrometers are turn-key, low-maintenance, and designed specifically for the requirements of the NMR community," says Dr. Thorsten Maly, a Bridge12 co-founder. "The joint system enables research groups to run DNP NMR experiments without requiring terahertz specialists on staff."
"Thus far, the scientific community has not been able to take advantage of DNP due to the lack of affordable, reliable terahertz sources," says Nick Roelofs, President of Agilent's Life Sciences Group. "As a result of our collaboration with Bridge12, we will be offering a turn-key solution to the NMR community that has far lower maintenance costs than current home-grown systems."
Bridge12 staff will be available to answer questions at the Agilent booth at the 52nd Experimental Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Conference (ENC) held at the Asilomar Conference Center (Pacific Grove, California) from April 10th to 15th, 2011.
About Bridge12
Bridge12 develops terahertz technology for applications in science, medicine, security and defense. Overcoming current technology barriers, the company closes the ‘terahertz gap' with compact sources that are powerful, efficient, and rapidly deployable. Bridge12 Technologies solutions help accelerate scientific research, protect national security, and fight terminal diseases.
Bridge12 is a high-tech start-up founded by former scientists of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Its scientific team has over a decade of expertise in high-frequency terahertz (THz) sources such as gyrotrons, microwave technology and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The executive team combines multiple decades of know-how in project management, information technology, health care and consumer products. For more information, visit www.bridge12.com.
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world's premier measurement company and a technology leader in chemical analysis, life sciences, electronics and communications. The company's 18,500 employees serve customers in more than 100 countries. Agilent had net revenues of $5.4 billion in fiscal 2010. Information about Agilent is available at www.agilent.com.
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Media Contact Information
Dr. Thorsten Maly
Director, Bridge12 Technology Inc
Phone: +1 (617) 615-9332
Email: tmaly@bridge12.com
