Pulsed EPR Technology Transfer from ACERT to the Scholes Lab

Besides the folding of spin labeled proteins, the major funded research area of the Scholes lab is application of ENDOR (electron nuclear double resonance) to paramagnetic metalloproteins. Until now Scholes has used CW (continuous wave) ENDOR methods. Pulsed ENDOR, as opposed to CW ENDOR, would provide better resolution of small couplings that report metal-ligand structure. The technical complexity of pulsed microwaves together with the ~$500,000 expense of commercial equipment have been the reasons why the Scholes lab does not do pulsed ENDOR. Recent developments of Peter Borbat in the Freed lab have made it clear that a pulsed Q-band bridge having moderate power pulse output, appropriate timing circuits, phase shifting, pulse programming, and data collection can be made at ACERT for ~$50,000. The ability to do pulsed ENDOR will be a major technical advancement for the Scholes lab.