NATIONAL BIOMEDICAL NMR RESOURCE AT MADISON

Funds are requested to establish a state-of-the-art, high-resolution NMR
facility for the study of biological systems. The facility which is to
occupy the first floor of the new wing of the Biochemistry Building,
Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison (under
construction), is designed to handle the severe problems of resolution and
sensitivity encountered with biological macromolecules and in vivo
preparations. The facility is to be based on two commercial multinuclear
spectrometers (a 9.4 T wide bore spectrometer and an 11.8-16.5 T) narrow
bore spectrometer) and an off-line data station for analyzing data. The
instrumentation has been chosen to optimize the collection and analysis of
two-dimensional NMR data sets and for carrying out biomedical NMR
experiments requiring the ultimate in spectrometer sensitivity. The center
will endeavor to provide the latest equipment and techniques in
high-resolution, multinuclear magnetic resonance experimentation for
collaborative and service projects covering several biomedical areas:
structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids, and natural products;
active sites and mechanisms of enzymes; modes of action of drugs; and
physiological levels of metabolites in living cells and organisms. In
addition to the primary function of providing effective research tools to
these users, the facility will engage in instrumental development and will
explore novel biomedical applications of NMR spectroscopy. Core research
projects include homonuclear and heteronuclear two-dimensional NMR
spectroscopy of macromolecules, isotopic labeling of biomolecules for NMR
analysis, and multinuclear magnetic resonance studies of viruses, living
cells, and intact tissues. The progress and administration of the facility will be reviewed regularly
by an Advisory Committee of experts in the field of biological NMR, who
will also evaluate the research proposals of long-term users. An
Instrumentation Consultant Board will provide advice on development of
equipment and techniques. A local Steering Committee, consisting of
facility staff and representatives from the major user departments on
campus, will deal with short range concerns.