Summary for the Biomolecular Interactions Core (Core C) led by Core Director Kevin Raney, PhD Biological systems rely on dynamic interactions between macromolecules to maintain cellular homeostasis and respond to metabolic cues. Determining the biophysical and biochemical properties of proteins, nucleic acids, and other macromoleculesincluding the size and composition of multi-subunit complexes and dynamic interactionsis central to understanding molecular mechanisms and biological function. Each Research Project Leader (RPL) in the Center for Molecular Interactions in Cancer (CMIC) will use biophysical tools to quantify the size, stoichiometry, and dynamic nature of macromolecules. The CMIC will leverage available resources, expertise, and significant institutional support to create a new Biomolecular Interactions Core (Core C) that will support an important research mission of the center – namely, to use precise and quantitative methods to define how biomolecules function in cancer. Directed by Kevin Raney, PhD, a nationally-recognized leader in the field of enzymology, the Biomolecular Interactions Core will be a unique, new core with experienced staff and state-of-the-art equipment that does not duplicate existing facilities or shared resources at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). The major goal of the core during Phase 1 will be to provide highly- specialized equipment and educational opportunities to current and future COBRE RPLs, and other Center members, to determine molecular mechanisms implicated in cancer. To achieve this goal, three Specific Aims will be pursued: (Aim 1) a new Biomolecular Interactions Core will be established to serve the needs of RPLs and Center members by facilitating experiments that use quantitative biochemical and biophysical methods to determine the size, composition, and dynamic interactions of biomolecules and macromolecular complexes involved in the etiology of cancer, (Aim 2) state-of-the-art services for biophysical and quantitative approaches to study macromolecules will be developed, and (Aim 3) we will provide training and education related to quantitative analysis of biomolecules, extending our efforts outwards from the CMIC to the broader research community at UAMS and other campuses in Arkansas. An important long-term goal is to build a self-sustained core by establishing a recharge policy and serving as a resource in future program project grants submitted by CMIC investigators. The Biomolecular Interactions Core fits squarely within the theme of the Center because it will facilitate rigorous and technically challenging investigations of macromolecules and complexes that have important roles on processes driving the malignant features of tumors and therapy resistance.