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The Larmor frequency can be visualized classically in terms of the precession of the magnetic moment around the magnetic field, analogous to the precession of a spinning top around the gravity field. It can also be visualized quantum mechanically in terms of the quantum energy of transition between the two possible spin states for spin 1/2
Applications of NMR
- Solution structure The only method for atomic-resolution structure determination of biomacromolecules in aqueous solutions under near physiological conditions or membrane mimeric environments.
- Molecular dynamics The most powerful technique for quantifying motional properties of biomacromolecules.
- Protein folding The most powerful tool for determining the residual structures of unfolded proteins and the structures of folding intermediates.
- Ionization state The most powerful tool for determining the chemical properties of functional groups in biomacromolecules, such as the ionization states of ionizable groups at the active sites of enzymes.
- Weak intermolecular interactions Allowing weak functional interactions between macrobiomolecules (e.g., those with dissociation constants in the micromolar to millimolar range) to be studied, which is not possible with other technologies.
- Protein hydration A power tool for the detection of interior water and its interaction with biomacromolecules.
- Hydrogen bonding A unique technique for the DIRECT detection of hydrogen bonding interactions.
- Drug screening and design Particularly useful for identifying drug leads and determining the conformations of the compounds bound to enzymes, receptors, and other proteins.
- Native membrane protein Solid state NMR has the potential for determining atomic-resolution structures of domains of membrane proteins in their native membrane environments, including those with bound ligands.
- Metabolite analysis A very powerful technology for metabolite analysis.
- Chemical analysis A matured technique for chemical identification and conformational analysis of chemicals whether synthetic or natural.
- Material science A powerful tool in the research of polymer chemistry and physics.
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