Stopped/quenched flow system

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We are requesting funding to obtain a stopped/quenched flow system for measuring rapid reaction kinetics (on a timescale of millisecond to minute) and steady-state properties of a wide range of molecules (proteins, peptides, drugs, ribozymes). The requested equipment consists of 2 components: 1) a rapid mixing apparatus, for initiating various reactions of these molecules by mixing up to 4 different solutions, in 3 mixing steps, with variable delay times between mixing, and 2) a spectrometer capable of measuring fluorescence, light scattering and absorbance, to monitor the progress of the reactions.  The co-applicants  (6 biochemists and chemists, and 1 chemical engineer, whose groups currently include a total of 81 researchers) need to use this equipment on a routine, daily basis for making extensive measurements that form a central part of their research programs on: protein folding, aggregation, and engineering; enzyme and ribozyme catalyst function and inhibition; and  bio-nanomaterials.  This research is important for understanding natural and disease processes in biology, and from this developing new therapeutics.        The co-applicants currently have just one aging stopped/quenched flow system: this instrumentation has increasingly limited capabilities due to the progressive failure of components, which often cannot be replaced, and it is becoming very unreliable in its operation.  The state of this instrumentation is very negatively impacting the research efforts of the co-applicants, due to failed experiments that need to be repeated using costly reagents, time required to trouble shoot and attempt instrument repairs, and instrument down-time.  Thus, the co-applicants urgently require the requested equipment to pursue many key elements of their research programs.  The requested equipment will provide very valuable training for many highly qualified personnel, including undergraduate students, technicians, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows, in using this powerful and widely applicable instrumentation.