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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - QUNS (Quantum-Statistical Methods for Nuclear Singlet States in Complex Fluids)

Teaser

Summary

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and the related method of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has important applications in chemistry and medicine respectively. In chemistry NMR provides molecular structure information and information of dynamics. From MRI, images of soft matter are obtained thus playing an important role in medical investigations. However, NMR/MRI are insensitive methods with weak signal at physiological temperatures, limiting studies to molecules
present at high concentration (for instance water if we want an MRI image).
Thus there is an interest in delivering molecules that can provide enhances signal, so called hyperpolarized molecules. Within this topic two main computational challenges are identified that are required for in depth understanding and development of applications, namely (i): how can quantum chemistry assist in providing detailed information of NMR relaxation processes and (ii): development of molecular dynamics models that with sufficient accuracy can model the slow processes, required to understand NMR relaxation in complex media. These are the challenges addressed in the proposal.
The first paper provide simulation-methods and the prediction of the time constant for a long lived spin state (LLS) and thus contributes to challenge (i). With this theoretical understanding of LLS, we can learn how to design molecules with LLS and thereby obtained a delivery vehicle for hyperpolarized molecules that in turn gives us improved MRI imaging or NMR results. A second paper address challenge (ii), and provides a simulation technique to, at sufficiently long lengths and timescales, compute the relaxation in biomembrane model systems. With these tools at hand the long-lived spin state can in future work be developed to play an important role in MRI imaging as well as materials research and thus benefit the society as a whole.

Work performed

Development of quantum chemistry property surface of high dimensionality with application aimed at nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation. The methodology introduces a new combination of machine learning techniques. In particular focus is on the long-lived nuclear spin state of a two-spin system. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulation in the micro- to millisecond time span is developed for fluid bilayer system with a combination of atomistic and Brownian dynamic simulations. Finally, experiments on long-lived states are performed. These results have been presented in scientific conferences and partly already published in peer-review articles, partly they will be published in the near future.

Final results

Within the already published results the bilayer simulation method illustrates that the commonly used analytical model for NMR relaxation has limitations in accurately describing the combined influence of bilayer undulations and molecular diffusion on the relaxation properties. These techniques may in forthcoming studies provide a refined view of how antibiotics or other drugs influence model membranes.