# Macromolecular Crystallography Core

> **NIH NIH P30** · BROOKHAVEN SCIENCE ASSOC-BROOKHAVEN LAB · 2024 · $952,744

## Abstract

Macromolecular Crystallography (MX) Technology Core - Abstract 
The Macromolecular Crystallography (MX) Core oversees operation of the two state-of-the-art NIH-funded MX 
beamlines at the National Synchrotron Light Source-II (NSLS-II). The Highly Automated MX (AMX) beamline 
(17-ID-1), and the Frontier MX (FMX) beamline (17-ID-2) began user operation in January of 2017, and support 
projects at the forefront of bio-medical science that require regular access to the most advanced instrumentation 
and beam properties. At the same time, the beamlines and software enable routine experiments that are 
impossible elsewhere in the United States, and automated data-collection workflows for the higher throughput 
required for many NIH-funded projects tackling drug development. 
General user operation of AMX and FMX is funded by NIH and the Department of Energy (DOE) Biological and 
Environmental Research (BER); incremental improvements to existing capabilities and user driven 
experimental needs described in this proposed research are supported by the NIH while the DOE-BER 
companion grant funds development of new capabilities or upgrades. 
The ongoing Advanced Photon Source (APS) upgrade and the upcoming Advanced Light Source (ALS) upgrade 
shutdowns have a lasting impact on user demand for state-of-the-art capabilities already in high demand at 
NSLS-II but also for higher throughput and automation. 
Our ambitious plans to deliver user driven optimal resources described in this technological core are managed 
by a team with well-matched expertise. We provide access to world leading MX facilities and expertly train 
research groups to best use our resources. We ensure our resources are kept at the state of the art with regular 
updates, upgrades and when necessary, we develop new capabilities. Users access our two beamlines with the 
most advanced remote tools and our secure, high performance computing facilities for automated advanced data 
analysis, with aim to deliver beyond the status quo of data reduction; at completion of beamtime research groups 
access results from data analysis including structural models. 
To remain at the forefront of structural biology, our staff collaborates with international leading groups to 
implement and develop new technologies necessary to eventually optimize data collection and analysis from all 
possible samples. With experts in the field, we are exploring artificial intelligence, machine learning and large 
language models to further develop new technologies, when current methods and software demonstrate 
limitations. We are disseminating training materials and applications using standard processes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10946990
- **Project number:** 2P30GM133893-06
- **Recipient organization:** BROOKHAVEN SCIENCE ASSOC-BROOKHAVEN LAB
- **Principal Investigator:** Jean Jakoncic
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $952,744
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2029-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10946990

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10946990, Macromolecular Crystallography Core (2P30GM133893-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10946990. Licensed CC0.

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