ABSTRACT
Chapter 8 covers specialized flow techniques, microcoil development, and possible future directions. Parallel detection probes are described that employ parallel, non-interacting sample coils or cells. Such probes allow for simultaneous detection of multiple samples. Multiple solenoidal microprobes are also reported using solenoidal microcoils. Application of a dual-flow NMR system is described in a biological screening process that utilizes NMR to determine the binding affinities of weakly binding low molecular weight fragments for a particular biological target. The technology, known as fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD), is complementary to a biological or mass spectrometry–based high-throughput screening (HTS) in developing small-molecule inhibitors of pharmaceutical targets. Microreactors are described that can rapidly screen reaction conditions and kinetics. The coupling of a micromixer and a solenoidal NMR microcoil, having a detection volume as low as 800 nL, is reported. Expansion to include multiple-microcoil NMR setup to study the reaction kinetics is also described.
Future directions include discussion of portable NMR and DNP (dynamic nuclear polarization). Portable NMR spectrometers offer promise for experiments where a full-sized NMR magnet is either unavailable or impractical, DNP can achieve large signal enhancements and may show promise for improved sensitivity if coupled with microcoil NMR.
