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10.03.2023Inauguration of the New 1.0 GHz (23.5 T) NMR Spectrometer
The inauguration ceremony of the new 1.0 GHz (23.5 T) Very High Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer, which the Scientific and Technological Centres of the University of Barcelona (CCiTUB) have recently acquired thanks to a grant from the Ministry of Science and Innovation and the NextGeneration EU funds within the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Programme, took place yesterday. The event was attended, among others, by the Minister of Science and Innovation Diana Morant, the Rector of the University of Barcelona Joan Guàrdia and the Catalan Minister for Research and Universities Joaquim Nadal, in order to launch this new cutting-edge equipment, with superconductor technology that makes it unique in Europe and of which there is only one other in Japan.
The Rector of the University of Barcelona Joan Guàrdia i Olmos, the Catalan Minister for Research and University Joaquim Nadal i Farreras and the Minister for Science and Innovation Diana Morant Ripoll were received at our facilities by Francesc Sutrias i Grau, Secretary for Territory, Urban Planning and Urban Agenda of the Department of Territory of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Jordi Garcia Fernández, Vice-Rector of Research of the University of Barcelona, Juan Fran Sangüesa Ferrer, Director of the CCiTUB, Jordi Bosch i de Borja, Vice-Manager of the University of Barcelona and Maria Terrades Palomar, Director of the Barcelona Scientific Park.
The director of the CCiTUB, Juan Fran Sangüesa, and the coordinator of the Barcelona node in the Network of Biomolecule NMR Laboratories (ICTS R-LRB), Miquel Pons, together with Carlos González Ibañez, coordinator of Singular Scientific and Technical Infrastructures, welcomed the authorities to the new nuclear magnetic resonance unit, explaining the operation of this state-of-the-art research facility.
The Rector of the University of Barcelona, Joan Guàrdia, began the speeches by stating that "the Diagonal Campus is destined to become the most powerful health hub in southern Europe". And he added that "the research infrastructures and the scientific and teaching excellence of the University of Barcelona, together with the future extension of the Clinical Campus to the area, form a triple helix that will mark the progress and knowledge of the country for several generations".
Following this, the director of the CCiTUB, Juan Fran Sangüesa, said that the incorporation of the new 1.0 GHz NMR to the CCiTUB "will have a direct impact on the industrial fabric of Catalonia, especially in key sectors such as biomedicine and biotechnology, sectors where it can represent a strategic element to maintain competitiveness". On the other hand, the director reminded the attendees of the importance of the team of experts of the NMR Unit of the CCiTUB to obtain the full potential that the equipment can offer.
Dr. Miquel Pons, scientific coordinator of the Barcelona node of the ICTS R-LRB, which has also incorporated the new 1.0GHz NMR, said that the device will be a great boost for the structural and dynamic study of complex biomolecules thanks to its high resolution and sensitivity.
The Catalan minister Joaquim Nadal, in his speech, said that the acquisition of this new spectrometer "is part of the government's policy of creating a scientific arc of centres and infrastructures throughout the country that will allow research to advance in Catalonia".
To conclude the event, the Minister of Science and Innovation, Diana Morant, explained the relevance of this infrastructure for Spain, which "materialises the new way in which the Government is orienting and prioritising scientific and innovation policies to serve the needs of society".
With this event, the new 1.0 GHz (23.5 T) Very High Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer of the Scientific and Technological Centres of the University of Barcelona is officially inaugurated and is now available to the entire scientific community.