See What You Want to See
Every chemist dreams of seeing molecules. Frankenstein Bio Reagents began in 2002 in Cambridge (MA) when Vlado Gelev, a chemist among biophysicists, began supplying his friends with 13C-labeled keto acids, which enable clean observation of the interactions of proteins by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Gradually, the operation expanded to the synthesis of deuterated detergents and lipids which are “invisible” to NMR. In 2007, our deuterated LDAO detergent was instrumental in determining the first 3D structure of an integral membrane protein, VDAC-1, by NMR. The following year FB Reagents was registered as a DBA in Massachusetts. In 2014 the company relocated to Vlado’s hometown of Sofia, Bulgaria (EU), where he was offered an exciting University faculty position.
FB Reagents Ltd. has two full time employees, enjoys part time help from students, benefits from the expertise of Sofia University faculty, and continues to collaborate with biophysicists worldwide. In 2019 we were part of a multidisciplinary team that developed 13C-19F amino acids with remarkably sharp NMR signals. In 2021 our team introduced “locally deuterated” leucine for the study of proteins expressed in mammalian and insect cells.
FB Reagents now offers the widest range of deuterated detergents and lipids, popular in NMR and neutron scattering experiments. We also offer a unique selection of 13C- and 19F-labeled amino acids, and a gradually expanding catalog of other fine chemicals. Our products are distributed by Cambridge Isotope Laboratories (USA), Larodan (Sweden), Cortecnet (France), and others.
Whether you look at molecules through NMR, neutron scattering, Raman spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, or another technique, we might be able to help you see what you want to see.