Acquisition of a 200KV FEG Electron Microscope for Molecular Microscopy

斯克里普斯研究所的罗恩·米利根博士获得了一笔拨款，用于购买一台电子显微镜。这是一种先进的研究仪器，可以用来以高达50万倍的放大倍数记录生物标本的图像。该仪器将用于可视化和成像发生在细胞内的蛋白质和由许多不同分子组成的大型组件，并使它们能够执行各种功能。用户组的研究重点是三维(3D)分子显微镜：通过冷冻电子显微镜和图像分析来确定分子和大分子组件的近原子、二级、三级和四级结构。用户组的共同目标是计算生物分子和大分子复合体的3D结构，以确定它们是如何工作的。将在该仪器上进行的一些工作包括：与微管结合并使其稳定的蛋白质，沿微管移动的马达蛋白质，在细胞中穿孔的细菌毒素，促进细胞中膜结合的隔间融合的蛋白质，读取(转录)核中基因组的蛋白质组装，充当泵、通道或信号复合体的膜蛋白质，以及植物和动物病毒。新显微镜的卓越性能对于在这些研究中获得最好的结果是必不可少的。将要进行的工作具有基本的生物学意义。这些结果将让我们深入了解细胞内发生的许多基本过程，这些过程对生命至关重要。在斯克里普斯研究所，该仪器将由6个研究小组使用。12名博士后助理和6名研究生将使用该仪器接受结构生物学方面的高级培训。10-20名研究专业人员将在他们的工作过程中使用该仪器。预计将有来自美国其他地方和海外的访问研究人员。拟议的新工具将纳入现有的新兴市场管理计划以及斯克里普斯研究所的培训、教育和外联活动。这将创建一个独特的研究和培训设施，将对区域、国家和国际研究基础设施产生重大影响。

A grant has been awarded to Dr. Ron Milligan at The Scripps Research Institute to purchase an electron microscope. This is an advanced research instrument that can be used to record images of biological specimens at magnifications of up to 500,000X. The instrument will be used to visualize and image proteins and large assemblies composed of many different molecules that occurs inside cells and enable them to carry out various functions. The research of the user group focuses on three-dimensional (3D) molecular microscopy: determination of the near-atomic, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of molecules and macromolecular assemblies by cryo-electron microscopy and image analysis. The common goal of the user group is to calculate 3D structures of biological molecules and macromolecular complexes to determine how they work. Some of the work to be carried out on the instrument includes investigations of: proteins that bind to microtubules and stabilize them, motor proteins that move along microtubules, toxins from bacteria that punch holes in cells, proteins that facilitate fusion of membrane-bound compartments in cells, protein assemblies that read off (transcribe) the genome in the nucleus, membrane proteins that act as pumps, channels or signaling complexes, and plant and animal viruses. The superior performance of the new microscope is essential for getting the best possible results in these studies. The work to be undertaken is of fundamental biological importance. The results will provide insight in to many of the basic processes that occur inside cells and are essential for life. At The Scripps Research institute, the instrument will be used by 6 research groups. 12 postdoctoral associates and 6 graduate students will receive advanced training in structural biology using this instrument. 10-20 research professionals will use the instrument in the course of their work. Visiting researchers from elsewhere in the US and overseas are anticipated. The proposed new instrument will be integrated into existing EM management plan as well as training, education and outreach activities at The Scripps Research Institute. This will create a unique research and training facility, which will have a major impact on the regional, national and international research infrastructure.