Nicholas Fitzkee

I'm sorry to hear that. This change is so unfortunate.

The BOSS keyboard is going to be the 3.5 inch disk "save icon" for the next generation of NMR scientists.

Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program:

As someone who has greatly benefited from the NSF MRI program, I'm sad to see that the 2025 submission window was canceled. www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...

Good luck. I was there last year, and it honestly wasn't terrible.

In the new OA publication model, how does one publish "straggler" articles that appear after a project is finished? After closeout, there's clearly no funding to pay for open access fees, and for ACS, "Green" OA is still $2,500. MSU hasn't thought this through. What are other institutions doing?

Is there a way to make the IconNMR Experiment Table not look terrible in TopSpin 4.4.0? #NMR

Thinking about it more, it really does a number on the graduate student psyche. Can you imagine being a second year in the lab and being responsible for something that costs the same (or more) than your monthly rent?

This is for deuterated protein expression, which, as @alexguseman.bsky.social points out, is now the cost of my first car.

Good heavens. How are we supposed to do NMR when D2O prices are north of $1,500/L?

You won't be disappointed by Thimbleweed Park. Maybe someday I'll post a signed monkey island poster...

So how many of these "tariff surcharges" do you think will actually go away if/when the tariffs do? #ChemSky

YouTube video by Veritasium How One Company Secretly Poisoned The Planet

Those who know me know that I'm a big fan of Veritasium. Their latest video on YouTube is worththe watch, even if you normally don't watch videos online. youtu.be/SC2eSujzrUY?...

I'm looking, but given how easy they are to bend, I'm a little hesitant to trust used syringes. That said, we have several syringes that are just slightly out of true. If there were a way to repair those, that could be just as well.

Anyone have a lead on replacement syringes for Malvern VP-ITC instruments? They no longer sell them, and they want me to upgrade to the PEAQ system. Unfortunately, we have a PEAQ-ITC, and it doesn't work with the concentrations needed for nanoparticle experiments. #chemsky #biophysics #ITC

MSU's NMR facility is getting better, with the planned acquisition of a solid-state probe in the fall of 2025. Stay tuned! www.chemistry.msstate.edu/facilities/nmr

Research.gov appears to be working just fine. I'm glad I have my research documented now, but there's probably a lesson here about listening to baseless rumors on social media...

Looks like this affects all new grants... anything that can be construed as DEI risks a funding cut. grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...

I can't imagine anything more nerdy than than a video where Middle Earth map notes are extracted from decades old Apple II floppies. @adriansdigitalbasement.com could you please reach out to this guy?

80s style action figure of a physical biochemist with pipette, shake flask, and NMR accessories.

ChatGPT is so fun.

The world keeps running out of helium. There is now a race to prepare for the next shortage Our lives are surprisingly dependent upon this extremely light and unreactive gas, yet supplies of it are remarkably fragile.

I was recently interviewed by the BBC about our helium recovery efforts here at MSU. Check out the article! www.bbc.com/future/artic... #NMR #ChemSky

Looks like it was AdBlock plus... who knew?

No citation button on Firefox! I'm not crazy!!

Chrome (left) and Firefox (right). Gotta see if some plugin is doing this.

Am I missing something, or is the "Download Citation" feature no longer present on ACS Journal websites?

What's the analysis where a $90 subgroup dinner at Biophysical Society ends up being a reasonable investment? Someone help me out here...

Chemistry Hires new MS and NMR Facility Managers | Department of Chemistry

Welcome to Dr. Sharma and Dr. Webster! www.chemistry.msstate.edu/spotlights/2...

If an undergrad wants to work in your lab, what do you ask from them? Statement of purpose? Resume? None of the above? Do you ask for other info (e.g., first-gen student)? Thus far, I've been pretty laid back, but I wonder if asking for more might be better.

MSU Chemistry is currently seeking to hire NMR and Mass Spec managers (two positions). Competitive salaries in a low cost of living environment. Mid-range salary for a Research Scientist I is $71,000. Email me for more info. www.chemistry.msstate.edu/about/employ...

Scheme indicating the use of hydrogen-deuterium exchange and lysine methylation to probe protein structure on a polystyrene nanoparticle.

Radha follows up her work with a publication in Langmuir. She used NMR hydrogen exchange and methylation mass spec to probe the structure of a small protein binding to a polystyrene nanoparticle. She finds evidence consistent with the adsorbotope model. doi.org/10.1021/acs....

Two proteins bind to polystyrene surfaces, highlighting the adsorbotope binding regions. Each region is separated by disordered or partially ordered protein fragments.

Check out Radha's latest publication in Small, where we explore protein binding to polystyrene surfaces. We find evidence for "adsorbotopes," regions that bind polystyrene preferentially. There are implications for nanoparticles, biofilms, and microplastics. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

Helium is an essential material for research and medical equipment, but it's nonrenewable and diffic... With the fourth significant shortage of helium in a decade continuing, companies and researchers are looking for alternative sources.

Check out my recent article on helium and how scientists are working to conserve and recycle helium!