MRI-R2: Acquisition of a high-intensity X-ray diffractometer for macromolecular crystallography

该奖项是根据2009年《美国复苏和再投资法案》(公法111-5)资助的。这项主要研究仪器-回收和再投资(MRI-R2)奖资助购买一台X射线衍射仪，以支持马凯特大学生物科学系和化学系的基础研究项目。该工具还具有广泛的机构间用途，支持地区机构更多教员的基础研究计划。衍射仪支持并加强了在各种系统中解决生物大分子结构方面的研究计划。这些计划包括研究代谢酶的结构和功能，促进基本细胞复合体的蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用，基因转录和调控的结构机制，以及具有抗菌或抗真菌活性的蛋白质的结构和功能。结构生物学与生物学、生物化学和化学的本科教育密不可分。马奎特大学的X射线衍射仪将用于让研究生和本科生接触到日益普及的大分子结晶学技术。涉及蛋白质和DNA结晶的项目非常适合在实验室获得第一次经验的本科生研究人员。在Marquette进行独立研究的本科生学习结晶技术，并获得使用X射线衍射仪的第一手经验。在密尔沃基工程学院的“学生为研究课题建模”(SMART)项目和马奎特的平等机会项目中，也为高中生进行了演示。用于大分子结晶学的X射线衍射仪的加入补充了Marquette在核磁共振和小分子X射线结晶学方面的基础设施，并增强了Marquette进行尖端研究的能力，同时保持了我们为学生提供多样化研究活动和机会的承诺。新设备支持的研究结果将通过学生和教职员工在地区和国家会议上的陈述以及通过在同行评议的期刊上发表来传播。

Abstract This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). This Major Research Instrumentation-Recovery and Reinvestment (MRI-R2) award funds the acquisition of an X-ray diffractometer to support basic research programs through the departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry at Marquette University. The instrument also has broad inter-institutional use, supporting the basic research programs of additional faculty members at regional institutions. The diffractometer supports and enhances research programs that address structural aspects of biological macromolecules in a wide variety of systems. These programs include research on the structure and function of metabolic enzymes, protein-protein interactions contributing to essential cellular complexes, structural mechanisms of gene transcription and regulation, and the structure and function of proteins with antibacterial or antifungal activity. Structural biology is integrally tied to an undergraduate education in biology, biochemistry, and chemistry. The X-ray diffractometer at Marquette will be used to expose both graduate and undergraduate students to the increasingly accessible technique of macromolecular crystallography. Projects that involve the crystallization of proteins and DNA are well suited to undergraduate researchers who are gaining their first experience in the laboratory. Undergraduate students conducting independent research at Marquette learn crystallization techniques and gain first-hand experience with the X-ray diffractometer. Demonstrations are also performed for high school students in the Milwaukee School of Engineering's "Students Modeling a Research Topic" (SMART) program and in Marquette's Equal Opportunities Program. The addition of the X-ray diffractometer for macromolecular crystallography complements Marquette's infrastructure in NMR and small molecule X-ray crystallography, and enhances Marquette's ability to perform cutting edge research while maintaining our dedication to providing students with a diverse spectrum of research activities and opportunities. Results from the studies enabled by the new equipment will be disseminated by student and faculty presentations at regional and national meetings, and through publication in peer-reviewed journals.