MRI: Acquisition of an Advanced FT-IR System for Multi-Disciplinary Research and Training at Oklahoma State University

该主要研究仪器（MRI）奖支持在俄克拉荷马州州立大学（OSU）的斯蒂尔沃特校区购买具有多种功能的集成傅里叶变换红外（FT-IR）系统。主FTIR光谱仪配备了最先进的光学和电子设备，从而实现了FTIR数据收集的前所未有的准确性。集成了一系列组件，包括可调谐纳秒激光器，低温系统，红外显微镜，焦平面阵列检测器和温控衰减全反射池，使该仪器成为生物研究中最强大和最通用的FTIR系统之一。该多功能先进的FT-IR系统将对广泛的研究项目产生重大影响，并使其成为可能，包括但不限于：发展用于蛋白质结构-功能研究的红外结构生物学，研究生物信号传导中受体激活的原理，探索光合水氧化生物能量的催化机制，探测IL-18的结构动力学：IL-18 BP复合物形成的自身免疫反应，并分析聚合物纳米涂层的生物医学应用。该系统还将用于表征疫苗制剂的生物药物，并研究人工心脏生物工程中血管内表面的内皮细胞在剪切应力下的细胞反应。该仪器将被安置在亨利贝尔蒙研究中心，这是一座最近完成的最先进的建筑，致力于尖端的多学科研究。先进的FT-IR系统将用于催化蛋白质红外结构生物学新兴领域的发展和应用，这将对生命科学的广泛研究产生重大影响，包括基础研究，生物能源和生物医学研究。这种功能强大、用途广泛的仪器不仅将大大增强俄勒冈州立大学大量研究人员的研究，还将增强外部用户的研究，包括来自加州和纽约的用户。将发起并提供关于红外结构生物学的年度讲习班和关于“红外生物学：傅立叶变换红外光谱学和成像”的新课程，以培训博士后、研究生和本科生，包括许多代表性不足的少数民族。为了增加代表性不足的少数民族的参与和研究经验，我们与兰斯顿大学建立了伙伴关系（85%的少数民族学生在一个历史悠久的黑人大学），东北州立大学（40%的少数民族学生与土著美国人的高比例），并在俄克拉荷马州州立大学斯蒂尔沃特校区的两个少数民族项目;俄克拉荷马州路易斯斯托克斯少数民族参与联盟（OK-LSAMP）和美国土著人生物科学中心（NABS）。在促进妇女参与物理学的领导者PI以及6名妇女和2名少数民族团队成员的现有力量的基础上，将继续努力鼓励，指导和培训博士后，研究生和本科生水平的妇女和少数民族科学家。

This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) award supports the acquisition of an integrated Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) system with diverse functions at the Stillwater Campus of Oklahoma State University (OSU). The main FTIR spectrometer is equipped with state-of-the-art optics and electronics resulting in unprecedented accuracy of FTIR data collection. Integration of an array of components, including tunable nanosecond laser, cryogenic system, infrared microscope, focal plane array detector, and temperature controlled attenuated total reflection cell, makes this instrument a rare and one of the most powerful and versatile FTIR systems for biological research. This multi-functional advanced FT-IR system will significantly impact and enable a broad range of research projects, including but not limited to: develop infrared structural biology for structure-function studies of proteins, investigate principles in receptor activation in biological signaling, explore catalytic mechanism of photosynthetic water oxidation for bio-energy, probe structural dynamics of IL-18:IL-18BP complex formation for autoimmune responses, and analyze polymer nanocoatings for biomedical applications. This system will also be used to characterize biopharmaceuticals for vaccine formulations, and investigate cellular responses in endothelial cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels upon sheer stress for bioengineering of artificial heart.This instrument will be housed in the Henry Bellmon Research Center, a recently completed state-of-the- art building dedicated fully to cutting edge multidisciplinary research. The advanced FT-IR system will be used to catalyze the developments and applications of the emerging field of infrared structural biology of proteins that will significantly impact a wide range of research in life sciences, including basic research, bio-energy, and biomedical research. This powerful and versatile instrument will significantly enhance the research not only by a large number of OSU researchers, but also external users, including from California and New York. An annual workshop on Infrared Structural Biology and a new course on "Infrared Biology: FT-IR Spectroscopy and Imaging" will be initiated and offered to train postdocs, graduate and undergraduate students, including many under-represented minorities. To increase the participation and research experience of under-represented minorities, we have established partnerships with Langston University (85% minority students in a historically black college), Northeastern State University (40% minority students with high percentage of native Americans), and two minority programs in Oklahoma State University-Stillwater campus;the Oklahoma Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (OK- LSAMP) and the Native Americans in Biological Sciences (NABS) Center. Building on the existing strength of the PI, a leader in promoting women in physics, and 6 women and 2 minority team members, continued efforts will be made to encourage, mentor, and train women and minority scientists at the postdoctoral, graduate and undergraduate levels.