ir-nmr-reflection

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IR and NMR, often in conjunction with mass spectrometry are widely used in research in the field of veterinary medical research. For example, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine uses its NMR facility to determine the structure and properties of specific proteins that may be targets for drug therapy for epilepsy, cancer, and other neurodegenerative diseases []. According to Riley et al. (2007), FT-IR is a cost-effective and accurate method for rapidly diagnosing foals with failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTP), and for measuring serum levels of immunoglobulin G (Ig G). The rapid diagnosis of FTP allows for immediate medical intervention for the foals. Another study in veterinary medicine also discussed the practicality and of using FT-IR to determine the structures of infectious microbial pathogens and protein prions (Beekes, Lasch, & Naumann, 2007). Determining the structure of infectious agents allows researchers to begin to look at finding reagents (possible drugs) to destroy or neutralize the infection.
 * student A **

References: Beekes M, Lasch P, Naumann, D. 2007. Analytical applications of Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy in microbiology and prion research. Vet Microbiol. 123(4):305-19. Riley C, McClure JT, Low-Ying S, Shaw A. 2007. Use of Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy for the diagnosis of failure of transfer of passive immunity and measurement of immunoglobulin concentrations in horses. J Vet Intern Med, 21:828–83. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, []

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** student C **
==== The techniques involved with this lab were relatively simple and most of the work on our part involved interpreting the spectra. We were able to produce several IR and NMR spectra of various compounds and compare them to spectra available on the SDBS for reference. These two methods of spectroscopy provided us with information to help determine the structure and composition of our compounds whether or not we knew their identity beforehand. As biology major, I found it interesting to learn that IR and NMR are often used to identify different biological molecules. It is a valuable tool in the identification of nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates and even cells. One study I found discussed how IR was used to identify structural changes in cancerous cervical cells. ====

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**student B **

The IR and NMR techniques utilized in this experiment may be used to identify any type of organic compound. These techniques are widely used in industry, along with mass spectrometry and UV spectra, to analyze the structure of organic products after industrial synthesis. This is very important for quality control in the chemical manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries.

Another application for NMR is magnetic resonance imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging utilizes alternating magnetic gradients to localize proton resonance signal from water in tissue. This provides far superior tissue contrast than other imaging methodologies such as CT and PET. MR imaging is quite versatile, and is being used in new areas such as non-contrast arterial imaging (1). Chemical shift, as explored in this lab, is being used to extend MR imaging capabilities beyond proton density. Quantitative susceptibility mapping uses chemical shift induced off-resonance effects in water from paramagnetic or diamagnetic compounds, such as iron or calcium, to accurately measure the compound concentration (2). This information may be used as a biomarker for various pathologies. Quantification of iron deposition in the brain may be used as a measure for the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, while calcium concentration measurements in breast calcifications may help diagnose breast cancer.

1. Offerman EJ, et al. Prospective self-gated nonenhanced magnetic resonance angiography of the peripheral arteries. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. 2012: Online early view. 2. Rochefort L, et al. Quantitative susceptibility map reconstruction from MR phase data using bayesian regularization: Validation and application to brain imaging. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. 2010;63:194-206.