# Benchtop Q-Band Pulsed EPR Spectrometer for Intermolecular Distance Measurements

> **NIH NIH R44** · BRIDGE 12 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. · 2022 · $1,014,127

## Abstract

Project Summary / Abstract
 Complex bio-macromolecules such as membrane proteins play crucial roles in many cellular and
physiological processes and specific defects are associated with many known. Determining their three-
dimensional structures is one of the main objectives in structural biology and the NIH devotes considerable
resources towards this goal. In recent years, pulse EPR spectroscopy, in particular Double Electron-Electron
Resonance (DEER) has contributed valuable structural constraints to solve structures of bio-macromolecules.
However, currently these methods are only available to experts in the field because operating the complex
instrument requires lots of training making it difficult for a non-EPR expert to access this highly valuable
information.
 State-of-the-art spectrometer configurations may be the most versatile option; however, many features
of current commercially available systems are unnecessary or simply confusing. Options such as continuous
wave (cw) EPR are unnecessary when the main objective is to measure distances. In addition, it is also often
overwhelming to applications scientist that are not experts in pulsed EPR spectroscopy. Much of the experiment
setup and processing can be standardized but current commercial instruments don’t come with these
streamlined features. With DEER becoming more popular it is time to propose a solution that is geared
specifically towards distance measurements rather than offering a universal research instruments. Removing
unnecessary options and focusing only on DEER spectroscopy will allow us to design a compact, turn-key
instrument.
 In this SBIR application we propose to develop a compact, turn-key Q-band pulsed EPR spectrometer
for pulsed dipolar spectroscopy. The system will feature a liquid cryogen-free magnet and cryostat, a low-Q but
high-sensitivity resonator and a compact, EPR bridge with state-of-the-art pulse shaping capabilities. The system
will be fully computer controlled and easy to operate with minimal training.
 The successful development of this compact, Q-band pulsed EPR spectrometer will provide researchers
access to turn-key instrumentation allowing them to easily incorporate experiments such as DEER in their
research. This will greatly proliferate the method and is of large interest to many projects funded by the U.S.
National Institutes of Health.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10484084
- **Project number:** 2R44GM137640-02
- **Recipient organization:** BRIDGE 12 TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Thorsten Maly
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $1,014,127
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2020-08-10 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10484084

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10484084, Benchtop Q-Band Pulsed EPR Spectrometer for Intermolecular Distance Measurements (2R44GM137640-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10484084. Licensed CC0.

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