DREAMTIME NMR Spectroscopy: Targeted Multi-Compound Selection with Improved Detection Limits

NMR/MRI are critical tools for studying molecular structure and interactions but suffer from relatively low sensitivity and spectral overlap. Here, a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) approach, termed DREAMTIME, is introduced that provides "a molecular window" inside complex systems, capable of showing only what the user desires, with complete molecular specificity. The user chooses a list of molecules of interest, and the approach detects only those targets while all other molecules are invisible. The approach is demonstrated in whole human blood and urine, small living aquatic organisms in 1D/2D NMR, and MRI. Finally, as proof-of-concept, once overlap is removed via DREAMTIME, a novel "multi-focusing" approach can be used to increase sensitivity. In human blood and urine, sensitivity increases of 7-12 fold over standard ¹ H NMR are observed. Applicable even to unknowns, DREAMTIME has widespread application, from monitoring product formation in organic chemistry to monitoring/identifying suites of molecular targets in complex media or in vivo.