NMR/MRI and Porous (bio)systems

Wageningen Functional NMR/MRI Group

The research focuses on the development, application and interpretation of NMR, MRI and NMR Microscopy techniques to unravel transport processes in porous (bio)systems like:
  • intact plants: xylem, phloem, cell-to-cell and membrane transport;
  • plant-like materials: foods, fruits, bulbs, seeds: ripening, storage, rehydration and germination;
  • bio-reactors: waste water, solid-state fermentor, catalysis;
  • model systems: chromotographic columns.

Pioneering work in this area has led to a number of results, demonstrating that the group was the first to apply NMR for water balance studies on intact plants (Reinders et al, 1988). In addition, an unique "portable" NMR spectrometer (bioflow meter) has been realised (Van As et al, 1994). The group has highly contributed on developing novel experimental NMR techniques to measure and interpret physical parameters such as relaxation times, (self)diffusion coefficient and flow in relation to (cell) water balance, cell compartmentation, membrane permeability and porosity.

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In combination with NMR microscopy the group has entered the fascinating area of functional imaging of intact plants, plant like materials, agricultural products and porous bio-systems.

The group participates in the Graduate Schools "Experimental Plant Sciences" (EPS) and in the Wageningen NMR Center (WNMRC). The WNMRC is a Research Infrastructure for different applications of bio-NMR. The WNMRC can give access to European Researchers financially supported by the EC.