An integrated approach to biomolecule observation
Understanding complex biological processes and biomolecules requires advanced 3D modelling based on biological nuclear magnetic resonance (bio-NMR), a feat that few laboratories can handle. With this in mind, the EU-funded project EU-NMR aimed to provide scientists with unparalleled access to life sciences research and advanced bio-NMR facilities. The project grouped together five research infrastructures for bio-NMR and promoted the superior research capabilities and advantages that would be made available to scientists. These advantages include networking on local or European levels with transparent access, as well as referral systems and increased access to key research environments. In 2009, the project also held a key workshop on NMR in Prague, the Czech Republic as well as another workshop in Grenoble, France. In parallel it conducted annual networking events under the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) to further exchanges on the topic. Beyond the meetings and workshops, bio-NMR increased access for scientists to valuable spectrometry equipment, offering a wide range of applications that would help these scientists advance their research. The project successfully improved NMR methodology and disseminated it to researchers, arming them with the latest tools to help take life sciences to a whole new level. Thanks to all these efforts, the benefits for the European Research Area (ERA) and for research fields related to medicine or biology will be enormous.
