The Biomolecular Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Laboratory Network (R-LRB) is a distributed ICTS in the field of health sciences dedicated to Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The R-LRB offers coordinated open access to improve national competitiveness in the field of biomolecular NMR through specific instrumentation and the solid expertise of its researchers and technical specialists.
NMR is the most versatile technique for studying molecules at atomic resolution and offers unique capabilities for biomolecule characterisation. The network currently supports the following research areas: characterisation of intrinsically disordered proteins, fast NMR methods, structural determination of proteins, peptides, nucleic acids and carbohydrates, analysis of biomolecular dynamics, metabolomics and characterisation of biomolecular interactions in the field of drug design.
The R-LRB comprises a network of high-field spectrometers, including three 800 MHz and three 600 MHz instruments, located in three laboratories:
NMR Laboratory at the University of Barcelona (LRB).
The laboratory is located in a 722 m2 facility in the modular building of the Barcelona Science Park, specially designed to house high-field NMR spectrometers. The LRB has provided competitive access to its high-field instrumentation since 2000. Its main area of expertise is focused on the study of dynamic biomolecular systems: characterisation of intrinsically disordered proteins and drug design aimed at targets ranging from globular proteins to intrinsically disordered proteins.
Manuel Rico NMR Laboratory (LMR)
The laboratory is located at the CSIC Rocasolano Institute of Physical Chemistry. It was founded in 1964 with the acquisition of its first NMR spectrometer and has remained in operation ever since. It features state-of-the-art equipment in the field of structural biology. The LMR maintains a close relationship with CSIC research groups and other nearby campuses and offers its expertise to non-expert users for the implementation of experiments by helping to design strategies and interpret data.
Basque Country NMR Laboratory (LRE)
The laboratory is located at the Centre for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE) in the Bizkaia Technology Park. It is equipped with an extensive set of probes for a wide range of experiments, including the interaction between ligands of biomolecules, screening of compounds for the pharmaceutical industry and analysis of alternative nuclei such as fluoride and selenium. The equipment is designed to work in high salinity conditions. The facilities have recently been upgraded with the addition of a dedicated laboratory for the metabolic analysis of biological samples.
