David H. Murdock, chairman and owner of Castle & Cooke, Inc. and Dole Food Company, Inc., announced Monday that he is purchasing the world's first and only actively shielded 950 MHz superconducting magnet, which he intends to donate to the soon-to-be-formed non-profit David H. Murdock Research Institute. The Institute will be located on the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis, N.C.
The two-story, eight-ton machine, known as the Avance II 950 US2, will allow scientists to delve into the three-dimensional structures of molecules and study their interactions with greater clarity than ever before, significantly enhancing such key areas of research as drug development and nutrition.
At an announcement in Kannapolis, Murdock was joined by representatives from the manufacturer, Bruker BioSpin, and partner universities, community colleges and corporations.
"I want everyone to understand the importance of the Institute and the campus in plain English," Mr. Murdock said. "We've opened the door to research that will help everyone lead longer, healthier lives. World class resources will attract world class scientists."
"The Bruker 950 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer is the first commercial self-shielded device of this magnitude in the world," said Dr. Robert L. Taber, vice chancellor of corporate and venture development at Duke University Medical Center. "This instrument will allow us to view biological molecules at an unprecedented resolution. It will be the flagship of a virtual armada of NMR devices available to the scientific community."
"This is a world class piece of equipment that will enable scientists to do the kind of groundbreaking research that David Murdock envisions occurring at the Institute," said Dr. Steven H. Zeisel, Kenan Distinguished University Professor of Nutrition and Director of the UNC Clinical Nutrition Research Center.
"Access to a Bruker actively shielded 950 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer will assist in countless efforts at North Carolina State University," said Dr. Steven Leath, associate dean and director of agricultural and life sciences research at N.C. State University. "Programs that will be significantly enhanced include research into proteins that are implicated in the onset of Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases, the development of anthrax infection, protection of the nation's crops and bacterial infections that affect marine life. Studies designed to create novel therapeutics in combating biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance will also benefit greatly from a 950MHz NMR."
Dr. Frank Laukien, president of Bruker BioSpin Corp., added, "The equipment will put the Institute and its NMR facility on the scientific map overnight. This sends a clear signal to the scientific community worldwide that the Institute will be a leading-edge facility with the most advanced instrumentation for scientific research."
It is anticipated the Institute's facilities will support researchers from UNC-Chapel Hill, N.C. State University, Duke University and other institutions and scientists.
The North Carolina Research Campus is a developing public/private, 350-acre life sciences hub near Charlotte, N.C. involving David H. Murdock, Duke University, the University of North Carolina, the N.C. Community College System and other institutions of higher education.
Source: North Carolina Research Campus news release