A central goal of molecular biology is the determination of biomolecular function. This comes largely from a knowledge of the non-covalent interactions (both from a kinetic and thermodynamic point of view) that biological small and macro-molecules experience. Three technologies well suited for these studies are isothermal titration calorimetry, biosensors (including 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, a Molecular Interactions Research Group has been established to embrace these techniques, at first. Others may be added with time.

1. To show how solution biophysical tools (ITC, biosensors, 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 the 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.