The Southeast Collaboratory for Biomolecular Nuclear Magnetic Resonance was formed to allow researchers from research institutions across the Southeast to share ideas and research equipment.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) offers a way to investigate the structure and dynamics of biologically important macromolecules without the necessity of crystallization. Avoiding crystallization allows researchers to investigate biomolecule function in an environment as close as possible to physiological conditions. Such investigations can be important stepping stones to better understanding disease processes and the design of agents that can control disease.  

The center is located in the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center at the University of Georgia. 

Worth noting: The centerpiece of the NMR facility is one of the world’s most powerful spectrometers, an instrument that operates with a magnetic field of 21.1T, which corresponds to a proton NMR operating frequency equal to 900 MHz. GRA invested in the technology, as did the National Institutes of Health and the University of Georgia. The facility also includes 500, 600 and 800 MHz NMR spectrometers.  

Institutions involved: University of Georgia and 17 collaborating institutions throughout the Southeast

Research focus: The center focuses on six areas of research:

• Methods development: to help increase the information gained from experiments
• Dynamics: to help better understand molecular motions
• Nucleic acids: to help understand how nucleic acids affect biochemical processes
• Membrane proteins: to increase knowledge of these proteins
• Large assemblies: to study biomolecules with heavier molecular weights
• Carbohydrates and glycoproteins  

GRA investment: The Collaboratory is directed by GRA Eminent Scholar James H. Prestegard. GRA provided matching funds for the 900 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, one of the few in the world.

External funding: The center was first funded in 2002 and is a program of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, one of the National Institutes of Health.  External funding since 2002 totals nearly $5 million. 

Web site: http://www.secnmr.org