# Center on Macromolecular Dynamics by NMR Spectroscopy

> **NIH NIH P41** · NEW YORK STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY CENTER · 2021 · $475,380

## Abstract

This proposal describes the need for and outline of a Biomedical Technology Research
Resource entitled Center on Macromolecular Dynamics by NMR Spectroscopy (CoMD/NMR)
and situated at the New York Structural Biology Center. The focus of CoMD/NMR is technical
development and application of NMR spin relaxation and associated methods for characterizing
protein and nucleic acid conformational dynamics in biological processes including ligand
recognition, allosterism, catalysis, and folding. The central challenge addressed by CoMD/NMR
is to break down the high activation barrier to using advanced NMR spectroscopic and
computational methods and thus to make available the benefits of these sophisticated
approaches to the wider biological research community. CoMD/NMR is the platform for meeting
this challenge through Technological Research and Development (TR&D) Projects, Driving
Biomedical Projects (DBPs), Collaboration and Service, Training, and Dissemination
components of the Resource. The TR&D component of CoMD/NMR will develop new and
extended methods for characterizing and interpreting macromolecular dynamics, with a strong
focus on expanding the general ranges of time scales and masses of targets accessible for
study. The dual needs for integrating experimental, computational, and theoretical methods
(within the TR&D component) and for interfacing with key biological researchers (within the DBP
and Collaboration components) make CoMD/NMR essential. In particular, CoMD/NMR
addresses four primary obstacles: (i) future technology developments requires combined
advances in sample preparation, NMR hardware and methods development, and
integration with computer methods; (ii) access to NMR spectrometers at multiple static magnetic
fields, as well as specialty equipment such as dynamic nuclear polarization and field cycling
probes, is key to many emerging methods; (iii) transfer of technology to the general biological
community has been hindered by the complexity of the methods, absence of integrated
pipelines to facilitate data acquisition and analysis by nonspecialists, and lack of infrastructure in
individual laboratories to translate these methods for general use; and (iv) biologists with
research programs that would benefit from these methods are unaware of this potential and lack
expertise to incorporate these approaches into their own research. Technology development
proceeds most effectively when driven by challenging applications; accordingly, CoMD/NMR will
work closely with outstanding local and national investigators in DBPs designed to motivate and
test emerging technology. The resources of CoMD/NMR will be broadly available to the
biomedical research community through collaboration and service activities together with
expansive training and dissemination programs. The basic research developments of
CoMD/NMR will impact a diverse range of biological research with human health relatedness,
including degenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, a...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10400388
- **Project number:** 3P41GM118302-05S1
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** ARTHUR G PALMER
- **Activity code:** P41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $475,380
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2017-06-01 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10400388

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10400388, Center on Macromolecular Dynamics by NMR Spectroscopy (3P41GM118302-05S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10400388. Licensed CC0.

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