HWB NMR: a national resource for biomolecular research.

A 900 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer in Birmingham will be upgraded to its latest standard, giving UK researchers open access to one of the world’s most powerful tools for studying biomolecules. NMR spectroscopy reveals the atomic-level structures, interactions, and movements of proteins and other biomolecules—information essential for understanding how diseases work and for designing new drugs. The existing machine is a national resource, but its ageing console and probe limit sensitivity and speed. Without this upgrade, the UK risks falling behind in a technique that underpins structural biology and drug discovery. The upgrade will dedicate at least 70% of instrument time to external academic users across the UK and beyond. It will allow faster assignment of molecular structures and enable studies of dynamic processes that static techniques miss. The facility will also train the next generation of researchers through courses and workshops, ensuring continued expertise in biomolecular NMR. This is primarily an infrastructure investment in fundamental science. While it has no immediate consumer application, past NMR advances have directly enabled the development of blockbuster drugs and diagnostic tools.