MRI: Acquisition of Hydrogen/Deuterium eXchange Mass Spectrometer

授予肯塔基州大学一个氢/氘交换（HDX）质谱系统的奖项。HDX是一种尖端技术，它将使研究人员从对生物分子结构的静态理解转向对大分子和大分子相互作用的动态理解。该系统将为肯塔基州大学、阿巴拉契亚地区以及其他合作研究人员和机构的研究人员提供独特而强大的研究技术的关键能力。 在获得该系统的同时，还将采取措施改善英联邦内外的教育和培训。 培训活动包括学生和教师的课程。 此外，通过纳入PUI，与本科生研究经验（REU）计划的协同作用以及高中STEM推广和教育的参与，将最大限度地发挥收购的影响。总体而言，这也将导致发展多元化和具有全球竞争力的STEM劳动力，并提高公众的科学素养和对科学技术的参与。 最近的进展已经将HDX定位为基于测量不同溶剂可及性的强大通用技术，以解决关键的结构，生物，生物物理和材料问题。 新的HDX系统将为广泛的用户提供服务，并实现对基础生物和材料系统的研究融合。新系统支持的研究主题包括淀粉代谢中的葡聚糖二激酶功能，基于黄素的代谢研究，病毒膜融合，DNA修复机制，微管组装以及一系列其他有趣的主题。 生成的数据将推进关键领域，包括生物化学，结构生物学，生物科学，生物物理学和材料。为了确保HDX设备的最大效益，研究人员将确保通过同行评议的出版物，在科学会议上的演讲以及向社区的演讲来传播知识。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

An award is made to the University of Kentucky to acquire a Hydrogen/Deuterium eXchange (HDX) Mass Spectrometry System. HDX is a cutting-edge technique that will allow researchers to move from static understanding of biomolecule structure to a dynamic view of macromolecules and macromolecular interactions. The system will provide the critical capabilities of a unique and powerful research technology to researchers at the University of Kentucky, to the Appalachian region, and other partner investigators and institutions. Acquisition of the system will be coupled with initiatives to improve education and training in the Commonwealth and beyond. The training activities include classes for both students and faculty. Additionally, outreach through inclusion of PUIs, synergy with Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) programs, and involvement of High School STEM outreach and education will maximize the impact of the acquisition. Overall, this will also result in development of a diverse and globally competitive STEM workforce and increasing public scientific literacy and engagement with science technology. Recent advances have positioned HDX as a powerful general technology based on measuring differential solvent accessibility to address key structural, biological, biophysical, and materials questions. The new HDX system will serve a broad range of users and enable a convergence of research that probes fundamental biological and material systems. Research topics supported by the new system include glucan dikinase function in starch metabolism, flavin-based metabolism studies, viral membrane fusion, DNA repair mechanisms, microtubule assembly, and a range of other interesting subjects. Data generated will advance key fields including biochemistry, structural biology, biological sciences, biophysics, and materials. To ensure maximum benefit from the HDX equipment, the researchers will ensure dissemination of knowledge through peer-reviewed publications, presentations at scientific meetings, and presentations to the community.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.