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

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）在代表其在活细胞中的天然环境的溶液中的相互作用的定义。为此，该合同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。将使用该设备的研究人员正在麻省理工学院研究化学和生物学之间的界面。新的仪器将提供强大的新能力来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。这些信息将为在分子水平上理解这些系统功能的工作假设奠定基础。将购买的具体仪器包括贝克曼Optima XL-I分析超离心机和MicroCal公司。VP等温和差示扫描量热计。分析型超离心机为快速准确地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一种强有力的方法。获得具有UV和RI检测能力的XL-I仪器允许在广泛的浓度范围内研究不同的大分子。量热计是研究各种生化过程中产生或吸收的热量的灵敏而有力的工具。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。新仪器将极大地促进5个一级用户组和9个二级用户组中众多研究人员的培训和科学发展。这些小组参与了大约90名研究生和55名博士后的培训。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新装修的空间中，并将战略性地放置在化学/生物界面研究兴趣的团体中。该设施是一个重大改造项目的一部分，将对麻省理工学院的跨学科研究产生重大影响。

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.