Upgrade of Macromolecular X-ray Diffraction Facilities

描述（由申请人提供）： 明尼苏达大学的Kahlert结构生物学中心（KSBL）成立于1989年，作为大分子X射线晶体学的资源。目前有14个主要用户，20个已确定的未来用户，覆盖12个不同的部门，2个校区和2所外部大学。目前，它是明尼苏达州唯一的此类设施。KSBL包含两个数据采集系统：（1）BrukerAXS Hi-Star系统，该系统已被多次取代，目前无法运行;（2）R轴IV++系统，其探测器和光学器件是最先进的，但与14年前的X射线发生器和冷水机相结合，由于老化，这些系统的问题越来越多。在本提案中，要求提供资金，用另一个R轴IV++系统升级Hi-Star系统，但使用新的X射线发生器MicroMax-007，该发生器针对小晶体进行了优化，X射线通量比我们目前的R轴IV++系统（针对中型至大型晶体进行了优化）增加2至2.5倍。与目前的Hi-Star系统相比，晶体的X射线通量将增加10倍，并且可以在拟议的仪器上收集单元尺寸在250- 700 A之间的晶体的数据。目前，KSBL中80%的晶体将受益于新系统增加的通量，6个项目的单位单元太大，无法在Hi-Star上收集。如果这项申请成功，明尼苏达大学已承诺提供15万美元的配套资金，用于更换我们第二套系统上的X射线发生器和冷水机，并为设备的服务合同做出贡献。 KSBL为理解生物医学科学重要过程的分子基础做出了重要贡献，发表了133篇论文。这些研究领域包括脂质/蛋白质相互作用、金属酶、铁储存蛋白、柠檬酸循环酶、微生物毒素、微生物毒力、病毒DNA包装、酶的代谢控制和氨基酸衍生的辅因子。支持这些研究领域的大部分资金来自美国国立卫生研究院的赠款。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The Kahlert Structural Biology Center (KSBL) at the University of Minnesota, was formed in 1989 as a resource for macromolecular X-ray crystallography. Currently there are 14 major users, with 20 identified future users, covering 12 different departments, 2 campuses and 2 external universities. At this time, it is the only such facility in the State of Minnesota. The KSBL houses two data collection systems; (1) a BrukerAXS Hi-Star system, which has been superceded many times, and is currently non-operational, and (2) an R-axis IV++ system, whose detector and optics are state-of-the-art, but are coupled with a 14 year old X-ray generator and water chiller that are having increasing problems due to age. In this proposal, funds are requested to upgrade the Hi-Star system with another R-axis IV++ system, but utilizing a new X-ray generator, the MicroMax-007, which is optimized for small crystals giving 2 to 2.5-fold increased X-ray flux over our current R-axis IV++ system (optimized for medium to large sized crystals). In comparison to the present Hi-Star system, crystals will experience up to a 10-fold increase in X-ray flux, and data from crystals with cell dimensions between 250-700A can be collected on the proposed instrumentation. Currently 80% of the crystals in the KSBL would benefit from the increased flux of the new system, and 6 projects have unit cells too large to be collected on the Hi-Star. If this application is successful, the University of Minnesota has pledged $150,000 in matching funds to replace the X-ray generator and water chiller on our second system, and to contribute to service contracts on the equipment. The KSBL has made important contributions to understanding the molecular basis of processes important to biomedical science, resulting in 133 publications. These research areas include lipid/protein interactions, metalloenzymes, iron storage proteins, citric acid cycle enzymes, microbial toxins, microbial virulence, viral DNA packaging, metabolic control of enzymes and amino acid derived cofactors. The majority of the funding that supports these research areas is provided through grants from the National Institutes of Health.