Created: 1st June 1999, last updated: 12th July 1999, © 1999 ABRF
As the vision of the ABRF continues to expand, we will be adding new research groups to stay abreast of emerging technologies. The current focus of the research groups is largely on the synthesis, purification, and determination of the mass and covalent structure of biomolecules. An emerging frontier is the determination of molecular function. This latter aspect comes largely from a knowledge of the noncovalent interactions that these molecules experience. Three technologies well suited for these studies are isothermal titration calorimetry, surface plasmon resonance, and analytical ultracentrifugation. These tools allow us to define protein-protein, protein-DNA, and protein-small molecule interactions to high resolution. Hence, the Molecular Interactions Research Group has been established to embrace these techniques.
The mission of this research group is as follows: (1) to show how solution biophysical tools (ITC, SPR, and AUC) are used to quantitatively characterize interactions of macromolecules with each other and with small molecules; (2) to show how these tools work in a resource facility environment; (3) to educate ABRF members in the methodologies of the three core technologies; (4) to provide test systems to be used to compare the capabilities of individual laboratories with each other, either within the three disciplines or among the disciplines; (5) to compile the results of the analyses of these systems and publish the results in the Journal of Biomolecular Techniques or other appropriate publications; and (6) to meet regularly to organize and run workshops or other activities at the annual ABRF meetings to accomplish this mission.
A core of the newly organized group met at ABRF '99 to begin to flesh out a plan for the operation of the group. Six members were chosen to form the first Molecular Interactions Research Group. They are Preston Hensley, Chairperson, Pfizer Inc.; Ed Eisenstein, Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology and National Institute of Standards and Technology; David Myszka, University of Utah; Steven Swanson, Amgen, Inc.; Mike Doyle, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals; and Fred Schwarz, National Institute of Standards and Technology.
This first meeting was used to define the mission of the group and to discuss ways to identify potential participants from the three fields. The focus of the next few months' activities will be to plan for a scientific session at ABRF 2000 and to define a set of standards for initial studies of molecular interactions.
Research Activities
The DNA Sequencing Research Group (DSRG) initiated a two-part study in the first quarter of 1999 concerning the sequencing of both standard and difficult templates. A preliminary report was presented at the ABRF '99 and will be posted on the ABRF web site soon.
The overall goal of this study is to analyze the effect of different sequencing methods, chemistries, and instrumentation on the quality of sequencing results. Sequence data are submitted anonymously by ftp or http files, and details of the sequencing conditions are collected on Web-based survey forms. The data is analyzed and then posted on a web site in a format that can be used as a benchmark for sequencing performance. The results of this study may be used to obtain the following information: (1) to anonymously evaluate the quality of sequencing results relative to that achieved in other laboratories (quality control); (2) to systematically evaluate different instruments, chemistries, and protocols when considering either equipment purchases or modifications to standard operating procedures (decision making); and (3) to determine the causes and solutions to technical problems (troubleshooting).
It should be noted that the DSRG is still actively encouraging interested parties to submit data to this study. Information on how to submit data to the Standard Template Study is available at http://mbcf.dfci.harvard.edu/dsrc.html. Instructions on how to request samples and submit data can be found at the Difficult Template Study Web site at http://brcweb.bio.cornell.edu/dsrc99. All data submitted prior to June 1, 1999 will be presented at the 11th International Genome Sequencing and Analysis Conference this September.
New Chair and Members
In March 1999, Ted Thannhauser replaced George Grills as chair, and Amy Lambert and Margaret Robertson became members. Kathryn Lilley agreed to replace Karl Hager as liaison to the Nucleic Acid Research Group (NARG). Doug McMinimy retired from active participation in DSRG. All of Doug's colleagues in the DSRG would like to take this opportunity thank him for his two years of dedicated service.