Marburg core facility for Interaction, Dynamics and Assembly of biomolecular Structures

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In-depth analysis of the dynamic and structural features of biomolecular complexes and their molecular mechanisms is crucial for the modern life sciences, but also understanding disease and bioengineering. Hydrogen-Deuterium eXchange mass spectrometry (HDX) and X-ray crystallography empowered by high-throughput crystallization platforms (HTP-X) are highly complementary, state-of-the-art methods for the dynamic and structural analysis at high resolution. With the installation of the up to now first and only automated HDX pipeline at a German University in 2015, we experienced an increasing need of the scientific community for a core facility (as evidenced by the Support letters), where both technologies would be interlinked in a standardized setup with scientific and administrative support. Therefore, we propose the DFG core facility Marburg core facility for Interactions, Dynamics and biomolecular Assembly Structure (MIDAS) integrated in the multidisciplinary and highly visible LOEWE Center of Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) of the Philipps-University. MIDAS will merge its innovative automated HDX pipeline with established HTP-X into a unique scientific infrastructure available to a broad national and international user community. In the 3-year funding period, MIDAS will become a highly professionalized and standardized CF with a defined governance structure. This will be enabled by a user interface, data management system and predefined work packages (WPs) documented in an Online User Manual and regulated by bylaw (Nutzungsordnung). Performance of the CF including its WPs will be continuously monitored through Testing User Friendlyness (TUF). Further, MIDAS will promote communication and education through its annual user meetings and an international summerschool on HDX and structural methods in 2018. Taken together, with the installation of the proposed technical, scientific and administrative support, MIDAS will become a highly visible DFG core facility; modeling how the state-of-the-art technology can be economically merged into excellent functional units serving as core units within collaborative research initiatives, centers and excellence clusters.