RCN: Emerging Methodologies for Molecular Structure Determination in Biological Solids

在2003年建立的生物固体核磁共振RCN（RCN-NBS）模型的基础上，这个关于生物固体分子结构测定新兴方法的RCN项目将协调扫描探针显微镜（SPM），冷冻电子显微镜（CEM），固态核磁共振（ssNMR）光谱学的目标是推进对生物大分子组装体的分子结构和机械性能的认识，这些组装体不适合研究通过传统的晶体学方法。 RCN-SCN社区将在美国和世界各地的大学，政府和工业研究人员之间建立开放和频繁的交流，以解决有关蛋白质，核酸，脂质，药物，植物聚合物和土壤有机物的分子结构和相互作用的基本问题。 用于广泛分享和传播技术专门知识和科学成果的具体战略将包括：（1）利用非正式会议、海报展示和在科学会议上分发小册子的方式招募成员;（2）由网络参与者主办侧重于专门方法或生物学应用的实际操作用户讲习班;（3）短期的"基础"课程，介绍非专业人员的ssNMR，CEM和SPM的蛋白质组装，脂质膜，和植物表面;（4）研究启发的本科实验室练习，重点是SPM和ssNMR的生物固体;（5）远程访问SPM的网络基础设施开发;（6）在德克萨斯州A M大学纽约结构生物学中心或生物物理学和纳米技术社区的主要国家会议地点举行的年度专题讨论会;（7）每年为高中生开设植物大分子组装实验室课程;&（8）研究合作圆桌会议活动，以探索CEM，SPM和ssNMR协同作用，用于未充分研究的生物固体，如土壤有机质;（9）社区网站，将宣布活动，方便注册，允许分发课程材料，并为位于各个机构的研究人员和教师提供技术交流中心。 一个指导委员会将通过定期制定和评估活动和与会者的数量和平衡目标来评估进展情况，特别强调跨越方法界限的活动，并鼓励早期这项活动的更广泛的影响将包括建立必要的基础设施，以实现对所研究的大分子组装体的全面分子理解，该项目旨在加强对参与研究的科学家的培训，并加强对研究生、本科生和高中生的扫描探针显微镜、冷冻电子显微镜和生物固体的固态核磁共振光谱学的研究培训。 通过向更大的生物科学界传播技术信息，这一区域网络活动还将促进提高对参与研究所及其世界各地对应机构利用这些先进实验技术开始出现的分子信息的认识和相互交流。 主办RCN-SCN研讨会和课程的学生和教师将获得更好的领导力和教学技能，这对他们的职业发展至关重要。 最后，这些活动使用SCN方法将促进女性结构生物学家的参与，强调非正式的专业接触，并欢迎来自代表性不足的民族人口的本科生和高中生提供创新的实验室计划。

Building on the model of an RCN for NMR of Biological Solids (RCN-NBS) established in 2003, this RCN project on Emerging Methodologies for Molecular Structure Determination of Biological Solids will coordinate technique-intensive application of scanning probe microscopy (SPM), cryoelectron microscopy (CEM), and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy with the goal of advancing knowledge on the molecular structure and mechanical properties of biomacromolecular assemblies that are not amenable to study by traditional crystallographic methods. The RCN-SCN community will establish open and frequent communication among groups of university, government, and industrial researchers across the United States and worldwide in order to address fundamental questions regarding the molecular architecture and interactions of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, pharmaceuticals, plant polymers, and soil organic matter. The specific strategies used to broadly share and disseminate technical expertise and scientific results will include: (1) member recruitment using informal meetings, poster presentations, and brochure distribution at scientific conferences; (2) hands-on user workshops hosted by network participants and focused on specialized methodologies or biological applications; (3) short 'fundamentals' courses introducing nonspecialists to ssNMR, CEM, and SPM of protein assemblies, lipid membranes, and plant surfaces; (4) research-inspired undergraduate laboratory exercises focusing on SPM and ssNMR of biological solids; (5) cyberinfrastructure development for remote access to SPM; (6) annual symposia held at the New York Structural Biology Center, Texas A&M University, or major national meeting sites for the biophysics and nanotechnology communities; (7) a yearly laboratory course on plant macromolecular assemblies for high school students; (8) research collaboration roundtable events to explore CEM, SPM, and ssNMR synergies for understudied biological solids such as soil organic matter; (9) a community website that will announce events, facilitate registration, permit distribution of course materials, and provide a technical clearinghouse for researchers and instructors located at the various institutions. A Steering Committee will evaluate progress by periodically setting and assessing goals for the number and balance of activities and attendees, with particular emphasis on activities that cross methodological boundaries and encourage participation of early-career and underrepresented groups.The broader impacts of this activity will include the establishment of essential infrastructure to achieve a comprehensive molecular understanding of the macromolecular assemblies under study by the participating scientists and enhance research training in scanning probe microscopy, cryoelectron microscopy, and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of biological solids for graduate, undergraduate, and high school students. Through dissemination of technical information to the larger biological scientific community, this RCN activity will also foster heightened awareness and cross-communication regarding the molecular information that is beginning to emerge using these sophisticated experimental techniques at the participating institutes and their counterparts worldwide. The students and faculty who host RCN-SCN workshops and courses will acquire improved leadership and teaching skills that are fundamental to their career development. Finally, these activities using SCN methodologies will foster the participation of female structural biologists by emphasizing informal professional contacts and will welcome undergraduates and high school students from underrepresented ethnic populations by offering innovative laboratory programs.