Center for Biomolecular Structure (CBMS)

Abstract - Overall Core Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) has developed a world-leading suite of experimental facilities for the life-science research community. Much of it is organized in the Center for Biomolecular Structure (CBMS), which has a focus on macromolecular crystallography (MX) and x-ray scattering. We propose the addition of x-ray footprinting (XFP), as a mature complementary technique, to the resources available within CBMS. We exploit the unprecedentedly small, bright, and well-collimated x-ray beams of National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) with experimental stations that provide the best possible crystal-diffraction and x-ray scattering data with high levels of automation. Our responsibility to the users is to enable hypothesis-driven research by having sufficient throughput to support high-volume systematic studies, and with the capability, through our Figure 1: An integrated suite of biophysical techniques assembly of diverse beamlines, to support multi- working together to enable world class science. disciplinary work for complex investigations. We will make these remarkable instruments available to the widest possible community to encourage a passionate, diverse user community enabling their success and ours.