ERC Consolidator Grant 2026–2031
HypSurf
We are developing hyperpolarized NMR with better sensitivity and spectral resolution to study fleeting intermediates in biology and materials chemistry.
CORDIS project
Acquisition live
NMR · EPR · Dynamic Nuclear Polarization
University of Vienna
Unconventional
Spectroscopy.
We use dissolution DNP and hyperpolarized water (HyperW) to follow proteins, DNA and materials as they change. We combine EPR and NMR to study molecular structure and dynamics, and we build dissolution DNP instrumentation for high-field and benchtop NMR.
// Latest publications_
All publications →
PUB-01Adv. Synth. Catal. · 2026
Visible-Light-Initiated, Nickel-Catalyzed Aminocarbonylation of Alkynyl Iodides to 2-Ynamides
Weiser, Frischauf, Stöger, Turhan, Kurzbach, Bica-Schröder
PUB-02JACS Au · 2026
Following Transient Conformational Adaptations during Peptide-Guided Calcium Phosphate Biomineralization with Hyperpolarized NMR
Kormout, Turhan, Soussi-Therond, Zachrdla, Kurzbach
PUB-03JACS · 2026
Unmasking DNA Resonances by Suppression of Hyperpolarized Water
Zachrdla, Turhan, Bučková, Trantírek, Kurzbach
Funding & recognition
Two European Research Council grants totaling nearly €4 million support the lab’s work on hyperpolarized NMR, from building instruments to studying fast molecular processes.
ERC Starting Grant 2019–2024
HYPROTIN
We built a platform for time-resolved hyperpolarized NMR and used it to study transient interactions of disordered proteins, including BRCA1.
CORDIS project resultsAustrian Science Fund (FWF) 2026–2030
Structure of supramolecular peptide assemblies
We combine NMR and molecular simulations to determine how peptides assemble into templates that guide mineral growth.
FWF projectFWF International Project 2022–2026 · €344,568
The evolution of biomineral prenucleation species
With collaborators at Sorbonne Université, we used real-time NMR to follow the short-lived precursors that form before calcium phosphate precipitates.
FWF projectAustrian Science Fund (FWF) 2020–2024 · €383,439
Speeding up Biomimetic Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
We developed hyperpolarized NMR methods to follow mineral formation in real time and observe early steps as dissolved species turn into solids.
FWF projectAWS prototype funding P2116440
Mobile dissolution DNP injection system
Prototype funding supported a portable system for rapidly injecting hyperpolarized samples into an NMR spectrometer.
Funding acknowledgmentAustrian Academy of Sciences 2022
Ignaz L. Lieben Prize
Awarded to Dennis Kurzbach for research spanning EPR, NMR and hyperpolarization.
Academy award profileOur research
Dissolution DNP & HyperW
We use hyperpolarized water (HyperW) to boost NMR signals and follow fast changes in proteins and DNA.
Explore this researchMaterials formation
We track how dissolved species assemble into solids, from early calcium phosphate and carbonate precursors to peptide-guided mineralization and silica formation.
Explore this researchEPR–NMR integration
We combine EPR measurements of radicals, spin-label mobility and distances with the site-specific information provided by NMR. We use these complementary measurements to study transcription factor dynamics and how protein–DNA complexes dissociate.
Explore this researchDNP instrumentation
We build the hardware for dissolution DNP, from polarizers and automated dissolution to magnetically guided sample transfer and fast injection into high-field and benchtop NMR spectrometers.
Explore this research
// 02 — The studio
Kurzbach Spectroscopy Studio
// 03 — Operators
The team at the console.
Chemists, physicists and biologists running the spectrometers, polarizers and simulations at the NMR Core Facility, Währinger Straße 38.
// 04 — Vienna NMR Seminar Series
Once per semester. All of magnetic resonance.
An open seminar on NMR and magnetic resonance in general — interested in joining or speaking? Get in touch.
Next session
To be announced
Date and speakers will be posted soon.
Latest · 17.6.2026
Mehdi Soussi-Therond (Kurzbach Group)
Exploring kinetics with hyperpolarized NMR: from magnetic imbalance to metabolic analysis
Emanuel Mahambo
NMR-based structure elucidation and bioactivity profiling of the secondary metabolites from Pentas species
14.1.2026
17.6.2025
15.1.2025
25.6.2024
5.12.2023
19.4.2023
10.11.2022
5.2.2022
7.10.2021