Nuclear Overhauser Effect (NOE)

The Nuclear Overhauser Effect (NOE) is a phenomenon observed in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, where the magnetic signals of nearby nuclei influence each other. When one nucleus is irradiated with radiofrequency, it can transfer its energy to a neighboring nucleus, altering its signal intensity. This interaction provides information about how close or connected atoms are within a molecule, helping scientists determine the three-dimensional structure of complex molecules like proteins and DNA. Essentially, NOE acts as a molecular "distance sensor," revealing spatial relationships between atomic nuclei.