MRI: Acquisition of an Advanced FT-IR System for Multi-Disciplinary Research and Training at Oklahoma State University

该主要研究仪器（MRI）合同支持俄克拉荷马州立大学（OSU）斯蒂尔沃特校区获得具有多种功能的集成傅里叶变换红外（FT-IR）系统。主要的FTIR光谱仪配备了最先进的光学和电子设备，使FTIR数据收集的精度达到前所未有的水平。集成了一系列组件，包括可调谐纳秒激光器、低温系统、红外显微镜、焦平面阵列探测器和温控衰减全反射单元，使该仪器成为生物研究中最强大、最通用的FTIR系统之一。这种多功能先进的FT-IR系统将对广泛的研究项目产生重大影响并使其成为可能，包括但不限于：发展红外结构生物学，研究蛋白质的结构-功能，研究生物信号中受体激活的原理，探索光合水氧化的生物能源催化机制，探索自身免疫反应中IL-18:IL-18BP复合物形成的结构动力学，分析生物医学应用的聚合物纳米涂层。该系统还将用于表征疫苗配方的生物制药，并研究人工心脏生物工程中血管内表面内皮细胞在绝对压力下的细胞反应。该仪器将被安置在亨利·贝尔蒙研究中心，一个最近完成的国家的最先进的建筑完全致力于前沿的多学科研究。先进的FT-IR系统将用于催化蛋白质红外结构生物学新兴领域的发展和应用，这将对生命科学的广泛研究产生重大影响，包括基础研究、生物能源和生物医学研究。这台功能强大的多功能仪器不仅将大大加强俄勒冈州立大学大量研究人员的研究，而且还将大大加强外部用户的研究，包括来自加利福尼亚和纽约的用户。将举办红外结构生物学年度研讨会，并开设“红外生物学：FT-IR光谱与成像”新课程，以培养博士后、研究生和本科生，包括许多未被充分代表的少数民族。为了增加代表性不足的少数族裔的参与和研究经验，我们与兰斯顿大学（一所历史悠久的黑人学院有85%的少数族裔学生）、东北州立大学（40%的少数族裔学生，其中印第安人的比例很高）和俄克拉荷马州立大学斯蒂尔沃特校区的两个少数族裔项目建立了合作关系；俄克拉何马州路易斯·斯托克斯少数民族参与联盟（OK- LSAMP）和印第安人生物科学中心（NABS）。在项目现有力量的基础上，将继续鼓励、指导和培养博士后、研究生和本科层次的女性和少数民族科学家。项目目前有1名女性和2名少数民族团队成员。

This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) award supports the acquisition of an integrated Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) system with diverse functions at the Stillwater Campus of Oklahoma State University (OSU). The main FTIR spectrometer is equipped with state-of-the-art optics and electronics resulting in unprecedented accuracy of FTIR data collection. Integration of an array of components, including tunable nanosecond laser, cryogenic system, infrared microscope, focal plane array detector, and temperature controlled attenuated total reflection cell, makes this instrument a rare and one of the most powerful and versatile FTIR systems for biological research. This multi-functional advanced FT-IR system will significantly impact and enable a broad range of research projects, including but not limited to: develop infrared structural biology for structure-function studies of proteins, investigate principles in receptor activation in biological signaling, explore catalytic mechanism of photosynthetic water oxidation for bio-energy, probe structural dynamics of IL-18:IL-18BP complex formation for autoimmune responses, and analyze polymer nanocoatings for biomedical applications. This system will also be used to characterize biopharmaceuticals for vaccine formulations, and investigate cellular responses in endothelial cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels upon sheer stress for bioengineering of artificial heart.This instrument will be housed in the Henry Bellmon Research Center, a recently completed state-of-the- art building dedicated fully to cutting edge multidisciplinary research. The advanced FT-IR system will be used to catalyze the developments and applications of the emerging field of infrared structural biology of proteins that will significantly impact a wide range of research in life sciences, including basic research, bio-energy, and biomedical research. This powerful and versatile instrument will significantly enhance the research not only by a large number of OSU researchers, but also external users, including from California and New York. An annual workshop on Infrared Structural Biology and a new course on "Infrared Biology: FT-IR Spectroscopy and Imaging" will be initiated and offered to train postdocs, graduate and undergraduate students, including many under-represented minorities. To increase the participation and research experience of under-represented minorities, we have established partnerships with Langston University (85% minority students in a historically black college), Northeastern State University (40% minority students with high percentage of native Americans), and two minority programs in Oklahoma State University-Stillwater campus;the Oklahoma Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (OK- LSAMP) and the Native Americans in Biological Sciences (NABS) Center. Building on the existing strength of the PI, a leader in promoting women in physics, and 6 women and 2 minority team members, continued efforts will be made to encourage, mentor, and train women and minority scientists at the postdoctoral, graduate and undergraduate levels.