Deuterium isotope labelling of colloidal mixtures

This makes deuterated and protonated compounds almost identical in chemical properties, however they still differ in some physical and nuclear properties which make them useful in a number of characterisation techniques. For example, neutrons interact with (and scatter from) nuclei, rather than with electrons, which makes neutrons extremely sensitive to the difference between the hydrogen atom and its deuterium isotope, since the mass difference between the two nuclei is so pronounced. In biological systems which are typically rich in hydrogen, selective substitution of hydrogen with deuterium can therefore be used to create contrast and highlight the position, structure, interactions or dynamics of individual components within complex macromolecular systems or assemblies. This is particularly useful in applications using small-angle neutron scattering, neutron reflectometry, neutron protein crystallography and neutron spectroscopy. Deuteration is not limited to neutron studies but is also effective in conjunction with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and vibrational spectroscopies, which are used to study the structure and function of synthetic polymers or other nanotechnology or biotechnology-relevant materials. 

In addition to its use as a characterisation tool, deuteration has been used to enhance the properties of end-use products. For example, the kinetic isotope effect has been recognised broadly, to improve the metabolic fate of numerous drug and healthcare entities. A nonexhaustive list of deuteration applications in this area is summarised below.

The diversity of techniques that benefit from deuteration inspired the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) to build capability in the biological applications of deuteration to neutron and X-ray scattering in 2002. This positioned ANSTO as the only experienced player when, in 2006, the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) identified the need for a national deuteration facility to meet demand from the Australian research community. The NCRIS scheme allowed ANSTO to expand its scope to include not only biological deuteration but also chemical deuteration.