BEACON - A multi-user and multi-project facility for biological macromolecules and nanoparticles characterization in solution

BEACON - 用于溶液中生物大分子和纳米粒子表征的多用户和多项目设施

• 批准号: BB/V019341/1
• 负责人: Tuck Seng Wong
• 金额: $ 52.4万
• 依托单位: University of Sheffield
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2021 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=BB%2FV019341%2F1
• 关键词: BEACON; multi; user; project; facility

Biological entities are composed of small molecules (e.g., water), macromolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, polysaccharides), supramolecular assemblies or macromolecular complexes, which assemble into subcellular organelles and cells, which in turn form supracellular systems such as tissues and organs. One of the key features of biological systems is the complex, specific or non-specific, intra- and inter-molecular interactions, which determine the structure and, further, the biological functions associated with the structure. As an example, hemoglobin is a tetrameric protein that binds and transports four oxygen molecules per unit and then releases them to myoglobin. The contacts between biological molecules, or biomolecular interactions, are also responsible for pathogen invasion and various diseases. SARS-CoV-2 virus binds to ACE2, the host target cell receptor, through the receptor binding domain of its spike protein. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's are associated with the prion-like propagation and aggregation of toxic proteins. The ability to measure key physical parameters (e.g., mass, size, shape, interaction, and conjugation) of biological macromolecules and nanoparticles in solution will answer many FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS IN BIOLOGY and help us to understand THE RULES OF LIFE. Not only will the answers and the rules help to advance biotechnology and biological science, they guide our solutions to the grand challenges facing humanity (e.g., new and re-emerging diseases, epidemic, climate change, and sustainability etc). The aim of this proposal is to purchase a state-of-the-art equipment to enable biophysical measurements. The equipment will support a host of research projects underpinning BBSRC priorities, which neatly align with the visions of the four flagship institutes at the University of Sheffield (Healthy Lifespan, Neuroscience, Energy, and Sustainable Food). On top of that, the equipment allows the University COVID-19 response team to measure the quality of and quantify the biological reagents manufactured at the University to support diagnostic testing of coronavirus. The equipment also enhances our response and preparedness for current and future emergency. This equipment will be maintained by a dedicated team in the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering at the University.

生物实体由小分子组成（例如，水）、大分子（蛋白质、核酸、脂质、多糖）、超分子组装体或大分子复合物，其组装成亚细胞器和细胞，亚细胞器和细胞又形成超细胞系统如组织和器官。生物系统的关键特征之一是复杂的、特异性或非特异性的、分子内和分子间的相互作用，其决定了结构以及与结构相关的生物功能。例如，血红蛋白是一种四聚体蛋白，每单位结合并运输四个氧分子，然后将它们释放到肌红蛋白中。生物分子之间的接触或生物分子相互作用也是病原体入侵和各种疾病的原因。SARS-CoV-2病毒通过其刺突蛋白的受体结合域与宿主靶细胞受体ACE 2结合。神经退行性疾病如阿尔茨海默氏症或帕金森氏症与朊病毒样增殖和毒性蛋白质聚集有关。测量关键物理参数的能力（例如，质量，大小，形状，相互作用和共轭）的生物大分子和纳米粒子在溶液中将回答许多生物学的基本问题，并帮助我们了解生命的规则。答案和规则不仅有助于推进生物技术和生物科学，还指导我们解决人类面临的重大挑战（例如，新的和重新出现的疾病，流行病，气候变化和可持续性等）。该提案的目的是购买一台最先进的设备，以便进行生物物理测量。这些设备将支持一系列研究项目，这些项目是BBSRC优先考虑的问题，这些项目与谢菲尔德大学四个旗舰研究所（健康寿命、神经科学、能源和可持续食品）的愿景完全一致。除此之外，该设备还允许大学COVID-19应对团队测量大学生产的生物试剂的质量和量化，以支持冠状病毒的诊断测试。这些设备还加强了我们对当前和未来紧急情况的反应和准备。该设备将由大学化学与生物工程系的专门团队维护。