Department of Energy
Washington, DC 20585

March 14, 1991

 

Dr. Joshua Lederberg

The Rockefeller University
1230 York Avenue

New York, New York 10021-6399

 

Dear Dr. Lederberg:

I am writing to request your assistance in developing plans and
priorities for national structural biology user facilities.

Current and projected intense sources of photons and neutrons operated as
national user facilities by the Department of Energy provide
opportunities in many areas of science, including structural biology. In
support of an interagency effort to strengthen structural biology and
biotechnology in the United States, this Office is striving to increase
support over the next several years for developing and upgrading national
structural biology user facilities located at Departmental laboratories.
In this period of severe budget constraints, it is imperative that we
develop a well formulated plan for the development of these facilities
and that we obtain excellent advice regarding relative priorities,
appropriate schedules, etc.

In this regard, scientists associated with the operation and planning of
these facilities will present their current status and plans for the
future on April 22 at a meeting at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel
(formerly the Compri) in Gaithersburg, Maryland. I hope that it will be
possible for you to attend this meeting and subsequently provide me with
your advice and guidance regarding the development of a plan for the
development and use of these facilities. This meeting will provide an
overview of the status of the various facilities and plans for their
further development. It will provide a broad picture and national
context in which to evaluate more detailed plans of individual
laboratories which will be presented later at individual site reviews.
There are several issues which need to be addressed in order to ensure
that available funds are most effectively utilized for the development of
these national structural biology user facilities.

I would like the opportunity to discuss this matter more fully with you
at greater length and will call your office for this purpose in a few
days.

      
  

David J:
Associate Direc for Health

& Reg sd vot oe ¥ fr and Envirgnmental Research
Office of Energy Research