NMR Spectrometer and MRI System Chosen by National University of Singapore for Environmental Research

Agilent Technologies Inc. announces today the National University of Singapore has selected the Agilent 600-MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer and the 7-T MRI system to support environmental research.

The NMR and MRI systems will be housed in the NUS Environmental Research Institute (NERI), and will support the work of researchers under the Singapore-Peking-Oxford Research Enterprise (SPORE) programme hosted by NERI.

The NMR spectrometer will be used for chemical structure determination and biochemical analysis in eco-efficient water treatment test-bedding facilities. The MRI system will be used for micro-imaging applications, which include tissues, plants, fish and small animals. There are also plans to extend the use of these systems for metabolomic studies, particularly the effects of toxic substances and water pollutants on plants, animals and humans.

“These new instruments will provide powerful tools for research in water and environmental testing technologies, and will boost our capability and efforts in developing strategic research programs in key areas of environmental research,” said Professor Sam Li, programme director of SPORE.

“We are very excited that these are the first Agilent-branded NMR and MRI systems to be selected by NUS for their research,” said Rod Minett, general manager for Agilent Life Sciences Group, South Asia Pacific and Korea. “Agilent takes an active role in supporting higher education and research around the world, and collaborating with a renowned academic institution like NUS is part of our continuing effort to nurture a future generation of scientists.”

SPORE is a $63 million initiative to promote research, education and commercialisation of environmental and water-testing technologies. Established in 2010, the initiative is supported by the Singapore National Research Foundation through the Environment and Water Industry Programme Office, NUS, Peking University, the University of Oxford, competitive research grants and industry partnerships.

Research teams at SPORE conduct studies in areas such as efficient systems for safe drinking water, integrated technology based on “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (3R),” enhanced biological technology for highly concentrated organic wastewater treatment, and the ecological rehabilitation of rivers. SPORE also plans to collaborate with industrial companies in areas such as joint doctoral scholarships, executive training programs and workshops, collaborative research projects and advanced analytical services.