The early days of ex vivo 1 H, 13 C and 31 P NMR in the laboratory of Dr. Robert G Shulman from 1975 - 1995.

This paper provides a brief description of the early use of ex vivo NMR studies of tissue and tissue extracts performed in the laboratory of Dr. Robert G. Shulman from 1975 through 1995 at Bell Laboratories and later Yale University. During that period ex vivo NMR provided critical information in support of resonance assignments and quantitation of concentrations for MRS studies. The period covered saw rapid advances in magnet technology with the earliest studies being of microorganisms in vertical bore high resolution NMR studies, by 1981 studies of small mammals in a horizontal bore magnet, and 1984 studies of humans. Ex vivo NMR played a critical role in all of these studies. A general strategy developed in the lab for using ex vivo NMR to support in vivo studies is presented as well as illustrative examples.