Those of you still meaning to send something in to the STFC consultation exercise might find it useful if I let you know the points I intend to include, of course this is not exhaustive!
Protein Crystallography: Diamond & ESRF Protein crystallography in the UK needs access to high-quality, state of the art, X-ray data collection facilities, this demand will increase. The needs are for i) high-throughput stations for the collection of data from protein-ligand complexes and for molecular replacement. ii) Tunable stations around 1Å to collect anomalous data from selenomethioine and other derivatives for de novo structure determination iii) Microfocus beamlines for very small crystal crystals, very mosaic ones, large cells, and other difficult problems iv) Tunable long-wavelength beamline for sulphur (and other lighter atom) SAD These needs have been met mostly by access to SRS and ESRF, with the closure of SRS Diamond is now being developed but at present there are only three beam-lines operating, and these are not yet as productive or efficient as they will be. Further development is needed to get the most from these. Stopping investment and support will not allow this. Phase II (which is not rated in the top category by the PALS review) includes the microfocus beamline and a fixed-wavelength side-station. Phase III (also not in the “top box”) includes the long-wavelength beamline. ESRF is a very significant resource that has been used most productively, especially by UK users. This has just about kept up with demand in the past, but will not do so with an increase in demand. I suggest you might like to mention any examples of important science, medical and/or economic benefit that has come or is expected to come from any of the above. The importance for drug discovery of determining the structures of “routine” protein complexes might be one such. It is also worth mentioning the broader use of the facility and the science/medical/economic synergy that having (e.g.) surface science, SAXS, and other synchrotron-dependent techniques available. The UK has an enviable record in biomolecular and physical science, and advanced techniques are essential for this to continue and to be able to be exploited. For this we also need to train the next generation of scientists. etc etc. Peter Moody 1/56 Henry Wellcome Laboratories University of Leicester Lancaster Road Leicester LE1 9HN UK tel. (0)116 229 7097 fax. (0)116 229 7084 ________________________________
