Electrical/Asymmetric Flow Field-Flow Fractionation (EAF4) System with Light Scattering Detection

项目摘要 该提案寻求资金，用于购买电气/非对称流场流 分级（E/AF 4）系统，具有静态和动态光散射检测。本文书 提供了最先进的能力，用于集成分离和表征广泛的 现代生物医学研究中使用的材料，包括蛋白质和多蛋白质复合物， 细胞外囊泡、病毒和疫苗、合成纳米颗粒和聚合物纳米载体。的 系统具有分析和制备能力，可高分辨率分离1 nm-1 μ m的颗粒 尺寸和直接精确的测量 和 粒度、质量和Zeta电位。此外，形状 多分散性指数可以由质量和尺寸测量值计算。 这些能力是西北大学目前正在进行的许多研究项目所需要的 大学，包括但不限于，14 NIH资助的项目在此应用程序中详细描述。 这些项目包括研究基因组组织和功能的各个方面， 结构-活性研究，以确定和表征抗癌药物的新分子靶点，以及 纳米技术项目追求创新的方法，为有针对性的治疗。 共有10个潜在的主要（9个与积极的NIH资金）和5个未成年人（3个与积极的NIH资金） 用户需要这些能力。这种类型的设备不存在于西北 大学或芝加哥地区的任何核心设施。该仪器将集成在Keck 生物物理设施，一个著名的资源，共享设备和技术专长， 西北大学该设施拥有24年的记录，保持了多样化的高端收藏品， 研究工具的操作和访问，并促进生产大量的第一- 率科学。

Project Summary This proposal seeks funding for the acquisition of an Electrical/Asymmetric Flow Field-Flow Fractionation (E/AF4) system with static and dynamic light scattering detection. This instrument provides state-of-the-art capabilities for integrated separation and characterization of wide range of materials used in modern biomedical research, including proteins and multi-protein complexes, extracellular vesicles, viruses and vaccines, synthetic nanoparticles, and polymeric nanocarriers. The system has analytical and preparative capabilities for high-resolution separation of particles 1 nm-1 m in size and directly and precisely measures and particle size, mass, and zeta potential. Moreover, shape polydispersity indices can be calculated from the mass and size measurements. These capabilities are required by many research projects currently underway at Northwestern University including, but not limited to, the 14 NIH-funded projects described in detail in this application. These projects encompass studies addressing various aspects of genomic organization and function, structure-activity studies to identify and characterize new molecular targets for anti-cancer drugs, and nanotechnology projects pursuing innovative approaches for targeted therapies. A total of 10 prospective major (9 with active NIH funding) and 5 minor (3 with active NIH funding) users are requesting these capabilities. This type of equipment does not exist at Northwestern University or in any core facility in the Chicago area. The instrument will be integrated in the Keck Biophysics Facility, a well-known resource for shared equipment and technical expertise at Northwestern. The facility has a 24-year track record of keeping a diverse collection of high-end research instruments operational and accessible and facilitating the production of large amounts of first- rate science.