A Coordinated Infrastructure for NMR in the Physical and Life Sciences: Upgrade of the Leicester 800MHz NMR for Structural Biology and Drug Discovery

来自英国各地、在广泛研究领域工作的核磁共振光谱学家已就投资超高场和超高场核磁共振设备的协调战略达成一致。这一协调努力的结果将使英国范围内能够获得物理和生命科学的核磁共振技术方面的新的最先进的能力、培训和专业知识。在莱斯特，核磁共振在广泛的主题中奠定了基础和应用科学的基础，包括对建立正常和疾病状态下生物大分子复合体工作原理的分子机制的了解，以及基于结构的药物发现的关键研究。我们从研究委员会请求967,894欧元(GB 887,946)的捐款，与莱斯特大学的244,758欧元(GB 224,541；20%总体匹配)相结合，将用于升级我们陈旧的和技术上过时的800 MHz核磁共振控制台和探测，并扩展其能力，以包括流动系统、直接13C检测、15N检测和固态能力。总而言之，这些升级极大地增强了在莱斯特现场使用集成的解决方案和固态核磁共振方法研究具有挑战性的系统的能力，为本地和外部用户带来了结构生物学的显著优势。莱斯特将允许通过其战略合作伙伴-伯明翰的国家核磁共振设施-访问并共享技术先进的方法，最大限度地影响英国的研究、行业和社会，从而为英国的经济活力和整体福祉做出贡献。在英国范围内的核磁共振基础设施的机构中，我们将努力建立访问和报告的共同机制。作为这一努力的一部分，将设立一个年度讨论论坛，让来自学术界和工业界的所有英国核磁共振光谱学家和RCUK代表有机会会面，分享最佳实践，并就所有相关问题进行磋商。

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopists from across the UK and working in a wide-range of research fields have agreed on a coordinated strategy for investment in very-high and ultra-high field NMR equipment. The results of this coordinated effort will provide for UK-wide access to new state-of-the-art capabilities, training and expertise in NMR technology for the physical and life sciences. In Leicester, NMR underpins fundamental and applied science in a wide range of topics, including the understanding of the molecular mechanisms that establish the workings of biological macromolecular complexes in both normal and disease states and crucial research in structure-based drug discovery.We request a contribution of Euro 967,894 (£887,946) from the research council, which combined with Euro 244,758 (£224,541; 20% overall matching) by the University of Leicester, will be used to upgrade our aged and technically obsolete 800 MHz NMR console and probe and expand its capability to include a flow system, direct 13C-detect, 15N-detect and solid-state capabilities. Together, these upgrades greatly enhance the ability to investigate challenging systems using integrated solution- and solid-state NMR approaches at the Leicester site, yielding significant advantages to structural biology for its local and external users.Leicester will allow access via its strategic partner, the national NMR facility in Birmingham, and share technologically advanced methodologies, maximising the impact for the UK research, industry and society, thereby contributing to the UK economic viability and overall well-being.Across the institutions of the UK-wide NMR infrastructure, we will work towards common mechanisms for access and reporting. An annual discussion forum will be established as part of this effort, to give all UK NMR spectroscopists, from academia and industry, and RCUK representatives, an opportunity to meet, to share best practice and confer on all relevant issues.