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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.

Voucher scheme accelerating medical research

Deuteration and nuclear techniques can contribute to the science of beauty.

Both the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering  and the National Deuteration Facility share in grants

The National Deuteration Facility offers access to deuterated molecules prepared by both in vivo biodeuteration and chemical deuteration techniques.

In January 2026, Mr Michael Quigley AM, ANSTO Board Chair, shared ANSTO's Statement of Intent with the Minister for Industry and Innovation, and Minister for Science.

The National Deuteration Facility is providing deuterated cholesterol, an essential ingredient in lipid nanoparticles for the delivery of vaccines using mRNA, to academic and industry partners.

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.

In 2023 we’re celebrating the 70th Anniversary since Australia began developing our nation’s Australia’s nuclear capabilities.

The National Deuteration Facility has supplied deuterium labelled lipids to quantify lipid biomarkers in a blood test to help diagnose breast cancer.

The National Deuteration Facility offers the facilities and expertise to produce molecules where all or part of the molecular hydrogen is replaced with deuterium. This enables complex investigations of the relationship between the structure of molecules and their function using neutron scattering and other techniques.

ANSTO’s National Deuteration Facility has provided deuterated cholesterol for international research to gain a better understanding of how the Spike protein of the COVID virus, SARS-Co-V-2, infects human cells through a membrane fusion mechanism.