Biomolecular Characterization Suite at the University of Lethbridge

我们的多学科研究计划旨在了解驱动基本细胞过程的分子机制，特别是对细菌，病毒，酵母和人类生物分子及其复合物的结构-功能关系的研究。其核心是将结构生物物理研究与功能测定相结合，以揭示关键细胞事件如何发生。为了将我们的功能研究与结构生物物理研究联系起来，我们需要采用互补的结构生物物理方法，如溶液X射线散射，X射线晶体学和冷冻电子显微镜。这种混合方法对我们的高度竞争和高影响力的研究项目至关重要。然而，我们目前在确定生物分子复合物的同质性方面面临着重大挑战，限制了我们随后的结构-生物物理研究的成功。拟议的尺寸排阻色谱法，加上一个在线多角度光散射检测器，动态光散射单元和折射计（称为生物分子表征套件，BCS）将提供一个尖端的基础设施，迫切需要的质量控制分析的各种生物分子及其复合物的结构生物物理研究。BCS的主要优点包括（i）溶液中生物分子及其复合物的分子量测定，（ii）生物分子复合物的同时纯化和表征，（iii）生物分子复合物的化学计量研究，（iv）溶液构象和聚合物支化研究，以及（v）生物分子的聚集研究。莱斯布里奇大学没有这种设施，严重阻碍了我们实验室的NSERC资助的研究项目。BCS的安装也将有助于莱斯布里奇的其他NSERC资助的研究项目，并将吸引学术界和工业界的合作者。除了在我们的实验室为>60名HQP提供非常理想的技术实践培训外，我们还将能够在我们新的NSERC CREATE计划中培训参与的学生。结合莱斯布里奇现有的研究基础设施，安装这一迫切需要的BCS将大大推进我们的研究和培训活动。

Our multidisciplinary research programs aim to understand the molecular mechanisms that drive fundamental cellular processes, specifically, the investigation of structure-function relationships of biomolecules and their complexes from bacteria, viruses, yeast, and humans. Central to this is the integration of structural-biophysical studies with functional assays to unravel how key cellular events occur. To connect our functional studies with structural-biophysical studies, we need to employ complementary structural-biophysical methods, such as solution X-ray scattering, X-ray crystallography, and cryo-electron microscopy. This hybrid approach is essential to our highly competitive and high-impact research programs. However, we currently face significant challenges in terms of our ability to determine the homogeneity of biomolecular complexes, limiting the success of our subsequent structural-biophysical studies. The proposed Size Exclusion Chromatography, coupled with an inline Multiangle Light Scattering detector, Dynamic Light Scattering unit and a Refractometer (referred to as Biomolecular Characterization Suite, BCS) will provide a cutting-edge infrastructure critically required for the quality control analysis of a variety of biomolecules and their complexes essential for structural-biophysical studies. The key benefits of BCS include (i) molecular weight determination of biomolecules and their complexes in solution, (ii) simultaneous purification and characterization of biomolecular complexes, (iii) stoichiometry studies of biomolecular complexes, (iv) solution conformation and polymer branching studies, and (v) aggregation studies of biomolecules. The absence of this facility at the University of Lethbridge has severely hampered NSERC-funded research programs in our laboratories. The installation of a BCS will also be useful to other NSERC-funded research programs at Lethbridge and will attract academic as well as industrial collaborators. In addition to providing hands-on training with the highly desirable techniques to >60 HQP in our laboratories, we will also be able to train participating students in our new NSERC CREATE program. In conjunction with the existing research infrastructure available at Lethbridge, the installation of this urgently needed BCS will significantly advance our research and training activities.