31P Dynamic Nuclear Polarization through the Solid Effect: Study of Biomolecules in Aqueous Solutions at 9.4 T.

Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) has emerged as a transformative technique for enhancing the sensitivity of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. In the quest to improve the polarization of 31P nuclei in liquid environments, previous efforts have yielded only limited success. This study introduces a novel approach utilizing the solid effect to effectively polarize pentavalent phosphorus within the phosphate groups of key biomolecules, including adenosine triphosphate, nucleic acid, and lipid bilayer in the fluid phase. We report a remarkable 31P DNP enhancement factor exceeding 20 for these compounds in aqueous solutions at high magnetic fields and ambient temperatures. These findings not only highlight the potential of solid-effect DNP for liquid systems but also open new avenues for advanced investigations into the dynamics and binding interactions of biomolecules.