On February 4, 2026, LIOS hosted Dr. Enrico Ravera (CERM/CIRMMP, Florence) for the seminar “Metalloproteins and Interactions Studied by NMR.” The presentation delivered a structured view of how paramagnetic effects—often seen as experimental challenges—can be used as information-rich observables for metalloprotein structure, dynamics, and interactions.
Event motto: “What does not kill me makes me stronger — broader.”
Key scientific messages from the presentation
1) Electron–nuclear spin interactions as a source of NMR/EPR signatures
The talk explained how NMR and EPR observables reflect the electronic structure of the paramagnetic center. A central concept was Fermi contact coupling: because bonding orbitals can be strongly localized at nuclei, electron density near the nucleus can directly couple to the nuclear spin, generating characteristic paramagnetic contributions.
2) Susceptibility anisotropy and the DC spectral signature
A second key concept was that the average electron spin is not necessarily isotropic. Since NMR shielding reports on the magnetic field at the nucleus, and a paramagnetic center’s magnetic susceptibility distorts that field, the measured shielding becomes a reporter of the susceptibility tensor. The presentation linked this directly to the pseudocontact shift, introduced as the isotropic average contribution of the susceptibility-related shielding.
Practical takeaways for LIOS
- Using paramagnetic NMR to extend structural and dynamical characterization of metalloproteins
- Mapping interaction networks around paramagnetic centers to support mechanistic interpretation
- Identifying concrete approaches that can be applied in current LIOS projects
Collaboration and training outlook
As highlighted by Marco Schiavina, the visit also included discussion of collaboration and training opportunities in Florence through the CERM/CIRMMP infrastructure, including potential short visits and hands-on access to advanced expertise.
The seminar is supported by the MR LATVIA project (Development of Magnetic Resonance in Latvia) in collaboration with:
* Centre de RMN à très hauts champs de Lyon (CRMN), France
* CERM/CIRMMP Infrastructure, Florence, Italy
* Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (LIOS), Riga, Latvia
Funded by the HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-02 programme, this initiative aims to strengthen research capacities and scientific excellence across Europe.