Research described in this thesis was carried out in the NMR Laboratory of the Institute of Biotechnology at the University of Helsinki in 1998-2000. I thank Professor Mart Saarma, the director of the Institute of Biotechnology, for allowing me to use the Institute’s excellent facilities.
I thank Professor Erkki Rahkamaa, who introduced to me the fascinating world of NMR spectroscopy, and who has inspired, guided, supported and encouraged me during all these years I have spent in Oulu and Helsinki.
I wish to express my warmest thanks to Docent Arto Annila for encouragement, inspiration, endless enthusiasm for residual dipolar couplings and fruitful collaboration. I will always remember our in-depth discussions on ‘the way we will not be’.
I express my gratitude to Docent Ilkka Kilpeläinen for giving me the opportunity to work in this state-of-the-art laboratory, collaboration and endless optimism.
A sweeping thank you goes to Professor Paul Rosevear and his skillful group for giving me the great opportunity to work together and to enjoy the visits to Cincinnati.
I am grateful to Professor Pekka Pyykkö at the Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, and Professor Matti Punkkinen at the Wihuri physical laboratory, University of Turku for critically reviewing this thesis.
I have been privileged to be able to work with the present and the former members of the NMR ‘Dream team’ in Helsinki. I express my sincere thanks to Atro, Hanna, Hannu, Helena, Jaakko, Juho, Kari, Kimmo, Krista, Laura, Maarit, Maija-Liisa, Mari, Niina, Olli, Outi, Ritva, Saara, Sami, Tero, Tia and Prof. Torbjörn Drakenberg who have created a warm and sunny atmosphere also during the cold and dark winter times. Especially I want to thank Sami for friendship, stimulating collaboration and our unified efforts against all odds, it’s been a pleasure to work with you. Helena, thank you for your collaboration, friendship, endless support and selfless help since the early days of my arrival in the lab. Kari, thanks for the parental guidance. Kimmo, we made through the first night in Göteborg after all. Hanna, your endless stock of painkillers kept me going even when on the verge of despair. Maarit, your jacket was too small for me. Tia, thanks for always being so positive.
People at the Department of Chemistry in Oulu, especially Elina, Esa, Jorma, Petri and Sampo are warmly acknowledged for their support and joy they brought to me during the years in Oulu.
My greatest thanks are due to my dear friends and family, Esko, Liisa, Mikko, Terhi, Ari, Kalle, Kössi and to my loving sister Helena, for their support and care over the years.
Finally, this work was supported by the Academy of Finland and the Graduate School in Informational and Structural Biology. I wish to express my sincere thanks to Professor Mark Johnson and Kaija Söderlund from the Graduate School for their support.
Helsinki, October, 2000 Perttu Permi