March 7, 2001-- Varian, Inc. (Nasdaq:VARI - news) today introduced an important new component for its nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) instruments. Called a cryogenic NMR probe, these next generation devices will help proteomics, genomics and drug discovery scientists more quickly gain greater understanding of the structure, function and dynamics of proteins and other large bio-molecules as well as develop faster methods for the analysis of drug candidates, their metabolites and impurities.
Through their enhanced sensitivity, these probes will help scientists obtain detailed information on target protein and nucleic acid molecules and on pharmaceutical compounds some 10 to 15 times faster than with conventional probes. The sensivity improvements can potentially help pharmaceutical companies increase the number of targets they are studying and will allow faster progress with promising drug candidates.
NMR is a non-destructive, information-rich analytical technique helping researchers understand molecular structure and dynamics. An NMR experiment provides connectivity information -- which atoms are attached to which other atoms in a molecule; the spatial orientation of the molecule, such as how it is folded or twisted in three dimensions; as well as the motions within the molecule in its natural environment. Such structural information is critical in proteomics/genomics and drug discovery applications where scientists desire a deeper understanding of protein target molecules and their spatial relationships with synthetic drug candidates.
An NMR spectrometer consists of a console containing the RF electronics, a computer workstation, a superconducting magnet and the probe. The NMR probe is the device that holds the sample within the bore of the magnet, at the center of the magnetic field. It contains the antennae that both irradiate the sample with radio frequency energy and receive very weak returning signals that are then analyzed to produce structural information. Internally cooling the probe with liquid helium improves sensitivity by increasing the available signal and decreasing the noise arising from electronic components.
``Varian, Inc. cryogenic NMR probes will provide researchers with structural information on more targets and high analytical throughput on the very small quantities so common in drug discovery,'' said Allen J. Lauer, Varian, Inc., president and CEO. ``These probes are an important complement to our high magnetic field NMR spectrometers, and have the potential to accelerate further the use of NMR in important bio-pharmaceutical and life science research.''
The cryogenic NMR probes, which cost up to $200,000, will be available for new Varian, Inc. spectrometers and for boosting the sensitivity and productivity of the company's worldwide installed base of some 2,500 instruments.... |
