Malvern MicroCal PEAQ Isothermal Titration Calorimeter

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ABSTRACT Funds are requested for the acquisition of a Malvern MicroCal PEAQ-ITC (Isothermal Titration Calorimeter). ITC data will allow characterizing the thermodynamic signatures of a number of proteins that bind diverse targets and mediate fundamental functions, from immune responses and synapses to virology. Therefore, this equipment will significantly enhance our understanding of the nuanced relationships between thermodynamics, structure, and function, and expedite development and design of more potent and specific drugs for a wide variety of diseases including microbial infections, autism, and schizophrenia. Our previous, now defunct, VP-ITC was extensively used (by over a dozen research groups) and provided not only fundamental knowledge, but was valuable in securing many investigator-initiated federal grants. We cannot overemphasize the importance of an ITC for the Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics (SCSB) core faculty and our other colleagues who are interested in the molecular mechanisms of their proteins of interest. The new instrument will be housed in the existing SCSB space at UTMB, and will be supported by the SCSB. A Ph.D.-level solution biophysics Facility Manager, also fully supported by the SCSB, will oversee the system. Scheduling of the instrument will be web-based, and any conflicts will be resolved through a steering committee. Approximately 10% of the available hours will be reserved for new and outside users, as well as for pilot studies, and in particular, priority will be given to new faculty investigators to facilitate their competition for NIH support. Further, we are confident that the new ITC will stimulate new collaborations among investigators in our University.