Steering clear of quantum mechanics and product operators, "Pocket Guide to Biomolecular NMR" uses intuitive, concrete analogies to explain the theory required to understand NMR studies on the structure and dynamics of biological macromolecules. For example, instead of explaining nuclear spin with angular momentum equations or Hamiltonians, the books describes nuclei as "bells" in a choir, ringing at specific frequencies depending on the atom type and their surrounding electromagnetic environment.This simple bell analogy, which is employed throughout the book, has never been used to explain NMR and makes it surprisingly easy to learn complex, bewildering NMR concepts, such as dipole-dipole coupling and CPMG pulse sequences. Other topics covered include the basics of multi-dimensional NMR, relaxation theory, and Model Free analysis. The small size and fast pace of "Pocket Guide to Biomolecular NMR" makes the book a perfect companion to traditional biophysics and biochemistry textbooks, but the book's unique perspective will provide even seasoned spectroscopists with new insights and handy "thought" short-cuts.

Currently an Assistant Editor for the journal Cell, Michaeleen Doucleff obtained her PhD in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley while working in the lab of David E. Wemmer. Doucleff then became a Nancy Nossal postdoctoral fellow at the National Institute's of Health in the lab of G. Marius Clore. Throughout her career, she has used NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography to characterize the structure and dynamics of transcription factors and their interaction with DNA.Mary Hatcher-Skeers is a Professor of Chemistry in the Joint Science Dept. of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer and Scripps Colleges in Claremont CA.  She teaches General Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physical Chemistry and NMR Spectroscopy.  Hatcher-Skeers received her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Washington while working in the lab of Gary Drobny.  She was then a NIH Post-Doctoral Fellow in the labs of Judith Herzfeld at Brandeis University and Robert Griffin at MIT.  Professor Hatcher-Skeers' research uses solid-state and solution NMR spectroscopy to investigate the role of DNA structure and dynamics in protein and drug binding.  She has trained over 70 undergraduates in her research lab, a number who have gone on to graduate programs in chemistry and biochemistry.Nicole Crane, Ph.D. is currently a Scientist at the Naval Medical Research Center in Silver Spring, MD where she is establishing the Regenerative Medicine Department's Advanced Imaging Program.  Her research focuses on development and utilization of spectroscopic techniques to improve understanding of the wound healing process, particularly in traumatic acute wounds, as well as identifying and quantifying transplant-associated ischemia and reperfusion injury. Her experience as an applied spectroscopist includes applications in forensics, pharmaceuticals, and biomedicine. Dr. Crane has published over fifteen peer-reviewed publications and presented at numerous regional and national scientific meetings. She is also an inventor on two US patents. 

1Atomic Bells and Frequency Finders 1.1Chemical Choirs 1.2Essentials of Electromagnetism 1.3Electromagnetic Microsensors 1.4Frequency Finders Mathematical Sidebar 1.1: Fourier Transform 1.5 Basics of one-dimensional NMR Mathematical Sidebar 1.2 Converting Hz to PPM References 2Bonded Bells and Two-Dimensional Spectra 2.1Introduction to Coupling 2.2Bonded Bells: J-Coupling Mathematical Sidebar 2.1: Karplus Equation 2.3NMR Maps: Two-Dimensional Spectra Mathematical Sidebar 2.2 Why 12C and 14N atoms are so shy? 2.4The 1H-15N HSQC: Our Bread and Butter 2.5Hidden Notes: Creating Two-Dimensional Spectra References 3Neighboring Bells and Structure Bundles 3.1Bumping Bells: Dipole-Dipole Coupling Mathematical Sidebar 3.1: Dipole-dipole Coupling 3.2Atomic Meter Stick: the NOE 3.3 Into a¿oeThree-Da¿ 3.4Adult a¿oeConnect-the-Dots:a¿ HNCA 3.5Putting the Pieces Together: A Quick Review 3.6Wet Noodles and Proteins Bundles: Building a Three-Dimensional Structure References 4Relaxation Theory Part One: Silencing of the Bells 4.1Nothing Rings Forever: Two Paths to Relax 4.2Relaxation: Ticket to the Protein Prom Mathematical Sidebar 4.1: Boltzmann Distribution 4.3Oh-My, How Your Field Fluctuates 4.4Blowing Off Steam and Returning to Equilibrium: T1 Mathematical Sidebar 4.2: T1 Relaxation 4.5Loosing Lock-Step : Coherence and T2 Mathematical Sidebar 4.3: T2 Relaxation and Spin Echo References 5Relaxation Theory Part Two: Moving Atoms and Changing Notes 5.1Keeping the Terms Straight 5.2NMR Dynamics in a Nutshell: The Rules of Exchange 5.3Two States, One Peak: Atoms in the Fast Lane of Exchange 5.4Two States, Two Peaks: Atoms in the Slow Lane of Exchange 5.5Two States, One Strange Peak: Atoms in Intermediate Exchange 5.6Tumbling Together: Rotational Correlation Time (i´c) 5.7Summary References 6Protein Dynamics 6.1Dynamics Analysis by NMR: Multli-Channel Metronomes, Not a GPS 6.2Elegant Simplicity: Lipari and Szabo Throw Out the Models 6.3Wagging Tails and Wiggling Bottoms: Local versus Global Motion 6.4Measuring Fast Motion: Model Free Analysis Mathematical Sidebar 6.1: Correlation Functions and Model Free 6.5Changing Directions on the Track: Refocusing Pulses 6.6Measuring Intermediate Motion: CPMG Relaxation Dispersion Analysis 6.7Measuring Slow Motion: Z-Exchange Spectroscopy 6.8 Measuring Motion Summary References