Development of Multi-User Facility for the Study of Complex Macromolecular Systems

用于复杂大分子系统研究的多用户设施的开发

• 批准号: 0070319
• 负责人: Barbara Imperiali
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2000
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2000-08-15 至 2002-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0070319&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Development; Multi; User; Facility; Study

A key aspect of biochemical research involves the definition of the interactions of complex biomolecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids, in solutions that represent their native environments in living cells. To this end, this award will establish a multi-user facility with state-of-the-art instrumentation for the study of complex macromolecular biological systems. Researchers who will use this facility are working at the interface between chemistry and biology at MIT. The new instrumentation will afford powerful new capabilities to probe the structure, dynamics, and interactions of complex biomolecules and therefore to derive valuable information concerning complex biological systems. This information will then form the foundation for working hypotheses for understanding the function of these systems at the molecular level. The specific instrumentation that will be purchased includes a Beckman Optima XL-I analytical ultracentrifuge and MicroCal Inc. VP isothermal and differential scanning calorimeters. The analytical ultracentrifuge provides a powerful method for the rapid and accurate determination of association behavior of complex macromolecules and the determination of molecular weight and shape. The acquisition of an XL-I instrument with UV and RI detection capabilities allows the study of diverse macromolecules over a broad concentration range. The calorimeters are exceptionally sensitive and powerful tools for studying the heat generated or absorbed in diverse biochemical processes. Calorimetry is particularly valuable in the study of complex biomolecules because it permits the assessment of molecular interactions and conformational energetics using native materials. The new instrumentation will greatly advance the training and scientific development of the many researchers in the groups of five primary and nine secondary users. These groups are involved in the training of approximately 90 graduate students and 55 postdoctoral associates. The researchers in these groups work in a variety of disciplines at the interface of chemistry and biology. Seven visiting scientists are associated with the groups of the users and there is excellent synergy amongst many of the groups. The facility will be housed in newly renovated space on the MIT campus and will be strategically placed to best serve the groups with research interests at the chemistry/biology interface. The facility is part of a major renovation project that will have a significant impact on interdisciplinary research at MIT.

生物化学研究的一个关键方面涉及复杂生物分子（如蛋白质和核酸）在代表活细胞中天然环境的溶液中的相互作用的定义。 为此，该奖项将建立一个多用户设施，配备最先进的仪器，用于研究复杂的大分子生物系统。 将使用该设施的研究人员正在麻省理工学院从事化学和生物学之间的接口工作。 新仪器将提供强大的新能力，以探测复杂生物分子的结构，动力学和相互作用，从而获得有关复杂生物系统的有价值的信息。 然后，这些信息将构成在分子水平上理解这些系统功能的工作假设的基础。 将购买的特定仪器包括Beckman Optima XL-I分析超浓缩仪和MicroCal Inc. VP等温和差示扫描量热仪。 分析超滤技术为快速、准确测定复杂大分子的缔合行为以及分子量和形状的测定提供了强有力的手段。XL-I仪器具有UV和RI检测功能，可用于在广泛的浓度范围内研究各种大分子。 量热计是研究各种生物化学过程中产生或吸收的热量的非常灵敏和强大的工具。 量热法在复杂生物分子的研究中特别有价值，因为它允许使用天然材料评估分子相互作用和构象能量学。 新仪器将大大促进五个主要用户和九个次要用户群体中许多研究人员的培训和科学发展。 这些小组参与培训了大约90名研究生和55名博士后助理。 这些小组的研究人员在化学和生物学的界面上从事各种学科的工作。七名访问科学家与用户小组有联系，许多小组之间有很好的协同作用。 该设施将被安置在麻省理工学院校园内新装修的空间，并将被战略性地放置在最好的服务于在化学/生物学接口的研究兴趣的群体。 该设施是一个重大改造项目的一部分，该项目将对麻省理工学院的跨学科研究产生重大影响。