The new Slow Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) device developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) offers groundbreaking capabilities in metabolomics. This innovative technology overcomes the limitations of traditional NMR by enabling high-resolution and high-sensitivity metabolic profiling of both 200 nanoliter-sized and milliliter-sized biological samples. Its versatile application ranges from single-cell analyses to intact organ studies, providing a non-destructive and minimally invasive solution for continuous metabolic monitoring.

The metabolomics field faces substantial challenges due to the limitations in sample size and the complexity of non-homogeneous biological tissues. Traditional NMR methods require significant sample quantities, often necessitating the sacrifice of small laboratory animals and hindering continuous metabolic studies. These methods also suffer from poor spectral resolution due to magnetic susceptibility variations and other interactions.

PNNL’s Slow Magic Angle Spinning NMR technology addresses these challenges by utilizing slow magic angle spinning and a switchable inductively coupled radiofrequency (RF) micro-coil design. This approach significantly enhances spectral resolution and sensitivity, even for samples as small as 200 nanoliters. The device operates at slow spinning rates below 500 Hz, maintaining tissue integrity and enabling non-invasive or minimally invasive analysis. The high-field homogeneity and optimized filling factor of the RF micro-coil contribute to the superior performance.

APPLICABILITY
This breakthrough allows for continuous monitoring of metabolic changes in small laboratory animals through minimally invasive techniques, as well as large-scale analysis of intact biological objects without fluid leakage. The technology promises significant advancements in metabolic research and pharmaceutical sciences by providing high-resolution, clear metabolite spectra for various biological samples.

DESIGN
The static micro-RF coil is wound inside the coil support for maximizing the filling factor. There is inductive coupling between the micro coil and the outer coil for increased sensitivity due to increased sample filling factor from the micro coil. Magnetic susceptibility matched wires are used for winding the micro coil for best B₀ field homogeneity. Easily switch the plug with micro-RF coil of different inner diameter to accommodate a range of sample sizes using a single probe.