CLINICAL & BIOLOGICAL
The Solution State NMR unit specializes in the 2D and 3D structure determination of all organic, inorganic molecules and polymers.
For the identification and quantification of organic molecules, such as oligonucleotides, oligosaccharides, peptides and proteins, as well as different types of plastics, the Mass Spectrometry Unit should be contacted.
The DNA Sequencer performs DNA extractions & analysis, plasmid extractions, PCR reaction, SNP typing and MLPA.
Solid State NMR (SS NMR) is a non-destructive and non-invasive method to characterize structural as well dynamic properties of various solid compounds. It can be used to identify and quantify different solid forms (i.e. crystalline-amorphous forms, different crystalline compounds), to determine the confirmation and arrangement of molecules. SS NMR can provide unique information in pharmaceutical research, because both an API and a drug product can be studied simultaneously.
Fluorescence microscopy determines localization/co-localization as well as mean intensity of a molecule of interest. Flow Cytometry performs multicolor quantification and sorting of cell or particle populations.
The CT scanner is used in biological/medical engineering for the rapid prototyping process and quality control to design and develop artificial intervertebral discs specifications.
ENVIRONMENTAL
For environmental samples, the ICP-MS laboratory perform inorganic as well as speciation analysis on aqueous samples; the Environmental & XRF laboratory do a complete soil and water analysis comprising cations, anions, EC, pH, Redox potential,
as well as basis & specialized microbiological tests; the Mass Spectrometry Unit identify & quantify organic molecules; the XRD laboratory identify
clay minerals in soil samples. Solution State NMR unit specializes in the 2D and 3D structure determination of natural products and other molecules from plant and other extracts like aloe.
Insoluble natural substances can be analyzed by Solid State NMR. Different carbon species of various organic samples (coals, chars, biochars, coke, soils, combustion chamber deposits) can be identified and quantified by 13C solid-state NMR
CT analysis is useful in dendro-ecology, where tree rings can be used as proxies to detect changes in growth conditions that may be caused by climate change. CT analysis of the wood structure is of interest in conservation ecology to determine the environmental sustainability of vegetation systems. The CT scanner will contribute to paleontological research using it on skulls and skeletons of vertebrate fossils.
FOOD TESTING
Solution State NMR is useful in the structure determination of purified compounds and in complex mixture profiling from many food sources and extracts like red wine analysis.
The Mass Spectrometry Unit identify & quantify organic molecules, while the ICP-MS Laboratory analyse for trace metals.
MATERIALS TESTING & IMAGING
The XRD Laboratory is equipped for the structural characterization of a wide variety of materials, such as metals, minerals, polymers, catalysts, fluids, plastics, pharmaceuticals,
thin-film coatings, ceramics and semiconductors, while thermoanalytical tests can also be done.
LA ICP-MS can be used to analyse for trace impurities in metal-alloys. The AFM laboratory can aid in characterizing the
surface structure of a sample at nanometer scale,
while the SEM Unit can provide high resolution imaging of structures as well as their chemical composition.
Solution State NMR is used in some polymer analysis. Depending on the question, complementary Solid State NMR studies might be useful. Additionally the structural properties (local environments, internuclear distances, conformation) and dynamical properties (chain mobility in polymers, ion mobility in ion conducting materials) of amorphous materials can be characterized.
CT scanning is used in materials science and engineering to analyse various structure & surface properties of components, as well as development of new materials and the adjustment of many production processes in industry.
GEOCHEMISTRY & MINING
The XRF laboratory does bulk major elemental analysis of rocks and soils. Combined with LA ICP-MS, trace elements and REE’s can be detected for a complete analysis.
LA ICP-MS is also used for geochronological & geochemical analysis of mineral separates, while SEM provides SE/CL/BSD imaging and EDS/WDS analysis on prepared mineral or rock samples.
Solid-State NMR can provide structural information regarding the framework as well the environment of ions and their spatial distribution of glass or mineral samples.
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