EPR
KeyTech
EPR is the only method for the direct detection of paramagnetic species. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy applications span across a wide range of areas from quality control to molecular research in fields such as material research, structural biology and quantum physics. EPR experiments have provided invaluable information pertaining to metalloprotein structures and to the structures and processes in photosynthesis for example.
EPR equipment located at the I2BC is a unique platform for applications in Life Sciences. Local research projects making a heavy use of EPR are mainly centered around enzymatic systems associated with oxidative stress or photosynthesis:
– Catalytic mechanism of metalloproteins with iron or manganese: photosynthetic complexes, NO-synthase, cytochrome P450, mono and bifunctional peroxidases, superoxide dismutase
– Biomimetic chemical complexes
– Metal- peptide systems involved in neurodegeneration
– Oxidative stress in Plants
– Protein radicals involved in enzyme catalysis
Equipments
The Unit currently has three continuous wave EPR spectrometers functioning at X-band (9 GHz, two spectrometers Bruker ELEXYS E500 and a spectrometer Bruker ESP300E), as well as a Bruker e-scan bench spectrometer to assay radicals at room temperature. A pulse X-band spectrometer Bruker ELEXSYS E580 with ELDOR and ENDOR capabilities is also available. Several types of cavity are available for cw X-band experiments: standard rectangular, dual-mode, high sensitivity.
Spectrometer
Frequency
Mode
Temperature
Double Resonance
e-scan
X-band –9 GHz
cw
Room T
ESP300E
X-band –9 GHz
cw
Room T
ELEXSYS E500 (2)
X-band –9 GHz
cw
≥ 4.2 K
ELEXSYS E580
X-band –9 GHz
Pulse
≥ 4.2 K
ENDOR/ELDOR
team
