Preparative Ultracentrifuge and Rotors for Western BioCORE Facility

纯化蛋白的详细研究是理解基本生化机制、评估蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用、测量酶动力学和确定三维结构的关键，这些三维结构可用于指导基于结构的药物设计和合成生物学。蛋白质纯化的基础步骤是从含有蛋白质的上清液中分离细胞器和膜，通常使用超离心。该申请要求为一台超离心机、转子和服务协议提供资金，该协议将安装在Western （www.schulich.uwo.ca/biocore）的多用户集中式生物分子核心设施（BioCORE）中。该设备急需用于替换两台已有25年历史的超离心机，这些超离心机目前正遭受多次故障和维修，以及出于安全原因已退役或降级的转子。拟议中的设备将支持50多个nserc资助的研究小组，这些小组位于伦敦地区的西部和周边研究所。该超离心机将被纳入BioCORE的蛋白质生产和合成生物学设施，BioCORE是西方大学分子和合成生物学的一个开放获取的一站式技术中心，已经为研究人员提供了近25年的支持。BioCORE还包括质谱、核磁共振光谱、x射线晶体学和蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用实验的共享仪器。BioCORE由三名专职科学家进行专业管理，他们将为新型超离心机的HQP提供专业培训和协助。提议的超离心机和转子将通过提供一个现代的，高效的蛋白质纯化系统来支持和受益于多个研究项目。它将加快对癌症、帕金森病和SARS-CoV2相关蛋白质的研究。此外，集中的地点和支持人员将提高学术界、政府机构和生物技术/化学工业所需的HQP分析技能。

Detailed studies of purified proteins are key to understanding fundamental biochemical mechanisms, assessing protein-protein interactions, measuring enzyme kinetics and determination of three-dimensional structures that can be used to guide structure-based drug design and synthetic biology. The foundational step in protein purification is the initial separation of organelles and membranes from the protein-containing supernatant, typically done using ultracentrifugation. This application requests funding for an ultracentrifuge, rotors and service agreement that will be installed into the multi-user, centralized Biomolecular Core Facilities (BioCORE) at Western (www.schulich.uwo.ca/biocore). This equipment is urgently needed to replace two 25-year-old ultracentrifuges that are now subject to multiple breakdowns and repairs, and rotors that have either been decommissioned or de-rated for safety reasons. The proposed equipment will support more than 50 NSERC-funded research groups at Western and surrounding institutes in the London region. The ultracentrifuge will be incorporated into the Protein Production and Synthetic Biology facility of the BioCORE, an open-access, one-stop technology hub for molecular and synthetic biology at Western that has been supporting researchers for nearly 25 years. The BioCORE also consists of shared instruments for mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography and protein-protein interaction experiments. The BioCORE is professionally managed by three staff scientists who will provide expert training and assistance for HQP of the new ultracentrifuge. The proposed ultracentrifuge and rotors will support and benefit multiple research programs by providing a modern, efficient system for protein purification. It will expedite research on proteins associated with cancer, Parkinson's disease and SARS-CoV2. Further, the centralized location and support staff will enhance the analytical skills for HQP needed in academia, government agencies and biotechnology/chemical industries.