Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy Center

The state-of-the-art Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Center within the Department of Structural Biology serves the research needs of investigators across St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Equipped with NMR spectrometers operating at 800 MHz (1), [CW1] 600 MHz (3), 500 MHz (1) and 400 MHz (1), the center is undergoing a massive expansion through the installation of new instruments operating at 850 MHz (1), 700 MHz (2) and 1.1 GHz (1). The hospital’s new 1.1 GHz NMR spectrometer will be the world’s most powerful NMR instrument for studies of proteins, DNA, RNA and other biomolecules.

The NMR Center enables cutting-edge studies of protein structure and dynamics; how these fundamental physical properties are related to biological function; and, importantly, how they are altered in human diseases such as cancer. In addition, the NMR facility is used extensively for drug discovery research.

The NMR Center is managed by three scientists who facilitate the application of a wide array of NMR methodologies to research projects across St. Jude, providing critical molecular insights into biomolecule function and mechanisms of human diseases. The department’s infrastructure is being significantly enhanced to further expand the impact of the NMR Center across the breadth of biomedical research at St. Jude.