Karyn Wilde fermentor
National Deuteration Facility

Deuteration

The National Deuteration Facility offers the facilities, staff and expertise to produce molecules where all or part of the the molecular hydrogen is in the form of deuterium (2H or D).

The facility produces deuterated proteins, biopolymers, nucleic acids and synthesises small organic molecules  such as lipids, phospholipids, sugars, surfactants, aliphatic hydrocarbons and aromatic, heterocyclic compounds. Double and triple labelling of proteins with both deuterium and the stable isotopes carbon-13 and/or nitrogen-15, are also available. 

The facility offers molecular deuteration using either in vivo biodeuteration or chemical deuteration techniques. 

Karyn Wilde fermentor

Biodeuteration

Biodeuteration involves the growth of microorganisms in a heavy water (deuterium oxide) culture medium supplemented with either a deuterated or hydrogenated carbon substrate, depending on the level of deuteration required. The biomass is harvested and the deuterated molecule (e.g. protein) is purified and characterised.

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Chemical Deuteration

Chemical Deuteration

Chemical deuteration involves deuterating whole molecules or building blocks for the synthesis of a desired molecule by exposing them to heavy water (deuterium oxide) at high temperatures and pressures in the presence of a catalyst. If required, compounds can then be synthesised from the deuterated building blocks using organic chemistry techniques.

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Classes of deuterated molecules available

Please consult our detailed catalogue for further information. 

Acccess

Proposals for user access are submitted through the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering Customer Portal.
For all enquiries please contact: ndf-enquiries@ansto.gov.au

 

Acknowledgements

The National Deuteration Facility is partly supported by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy – an initiative of the Australian Government.

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