MRI: Acquisition of a State-of-the-Art Analytical Ultracentrifuge for Biomedical and Materials Research

亚利桑那大学获得一项奖励，以支持购买一台分析超离心机（AUC）。超过20个实验室将使用新的AUC，其研究项目涵盖基础生物学、化学、材料科学，甚至生物医学研究。作为研究工作的一部分，235名学生，包括22名博士后，68名研究生和145名本科生将受益于最先进仪器的培训。培训机会将扩展到西南地区的合作学校和机构。亚利桑那大学是一所西班牙裔服务机构，并举办了许多支持多样性和包容性的项目，其中许多项目将从使用新仪器的培训中受益。AUC也将用于本科实验课程，学生将在那里测试他们对各种酶的结构和功能产生的假设。此外，一个展示超离心基本原理的“动手”演示将在亚利桑那州的学校推广课程中进行。AUC将促进的研究包括研究一种新的酶机制，包括丝的形成、病毒复制蛋白的DNA结合、细胞信号传导中的蛋白-蛋白相互作用以及内在无序蛋白的液滴形成。AUC将促进一系列的研究项目，提供快速和准确的评估配体结合亲和力，化学计量学，以及何时抑制机制涉及改变的四级结构。可以检测蛋白质的化学标记（和标记的完整性），以及对四级结构，溶解度和聚集的任何影响。聚集是许多结构和功能研究的主要障碍，新的AUC将用于评估蛋白质制备稳定性和聚集性。将分析含脂纳米圆盘的质量和多分散性，以了解链和头基团大小、结构和化学对脂质堆积的影响。材料科学研究也将受益于对由钨、钼和钛制成的纳米颗粒的分析。这些研究的结果将通过同行评议的期刊、在科学会议上的报告以及通过课堂和公共宣传报告来传播。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

An award is made to the University of Arizona to support the purchase of an analytical ultracentrifuge (AUC). More than 20 laboratories will use the new AUC, with research programs spanning basic biology, chemistry, materials science, and even biomedical research. As part of the research effort, 235 students, including 22 postdoctoral, 68 graduate and 145 undergraduate students will benefit from training with the state-of-the-art instrumentation. The training opportunities will be extended to collaborating schools and institutions across the Southwest. The University of Arizona is a Hispanic Serving Institution and hosts many programs supporting diversity and inclusion of under-represented groups, many of which will benefit from training with the new instrument. The AUC will also be used in the undergraduate lab courses, where students will test hypotheses they generate for structure and function of various enzymes. In addition, a “hands-on” demonstration showing the basic principles of ultracentrifugation will be developed in the outreach course for delivery at schools throughout Arizona.Research that will be facilitated by the AUC includes the investigation of a new enzyme mechanisms involving filament formation, DNA binding by viral replicative proteins, protein-protein interactions in cell signaling, and liquid droplet formation by intrinsically disordered proteins. The AUC will facilitate a range of research projects by providing rapid and accurate assessment of ligand binding affinity, stoichiometry, and when mechanisms of inhibition involve alterations of quaternary structure. Chemical labeling (and completeness of labeling) of proteins can be detected, as well as any effects on quaternary structure, solubility, and aggregation. Aggregation is a major roadblock to many structural and functional studies, and the new AUC will be used to assess protein preparation stability and aggregation. The masses and polydispersity of lipid containing nanodiscs will be analyzed to understand the effect of chain and headgroup size, structure, and chemistry on lipid packing. Materials science research will also benefit from the analysis of nanoparticles made from tungsten, molybdenum, and titanium. Results from these studies will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, presentations at scientific meetings, and through classes and public outreach presentations.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.