Malvern MicroCal PEAQ Isothermal Titration Calorimeter

摘要 申请资金用于购置一台马尔文MicroCal PEAQ-ITC（等温滴定 热量计）。ITC的数据将允许表征一些热力学特征， 结合不同靶点并介导基本功能的蛋白质， 和突触到病毒学。因此，这台设备将大大增强我们对 热力学、结构和功能之间的微妙关系， 开发和设计针对多种疾病的更有效和更特异的药物 包括微生物感染自闭症和精神分裂症我们的前任，现已解散，副总裁 被广泛使用（超过12个研究小组），不仅提供了基本的 知识，但在获得许多联邦政府发起的联邦赠款方面很有价值。我们不能 过分强调ITC对西利结构生物学中心的重要性， 分子生物物理学（SCSB）的核心教师和我们的其他同事谁是感兴趣的 他们感兴趣的蛋白质的分子机制。新仪器将放置在 UTMB现有的SCSB空间，并将得到SCSB的支持。博士学位-水平溶液 生物物理设施经理也将在SCSB的全力支持下监督该系统。 仪器的时间安排将基于网络，任何冲突将通过 指导委员会。大约10%的可用时间将保留给新的和 外部用户，以及试点研究，特别是，优先考虑新的教师 研究人员以促进他们争夺NIH支持。此外，我们相信， 新的ITC将促进我们大学研究人员之间的新合作。

ABSTRACT Funds are requested for the acquisition of a Malvern MicroCal PEAQ-ITC (Isothermal Titration Calorimeter). ITC data will allow characterizing the thermodynamic signatures of a number of proteins that bind diverse targets and mediate fundamental functions, from immune responses and synapses to virology. Therefore, this equipment will significantly enhance our understanding of the nuanced relationships between thermodynamics, structure, and function, and expedite development and design of more potent and specific drugs for a wide variety of diseases including microbial infections, autism, and schizophrenia. Our previous, now defunct, VP-ITC was extensively used (by over a dozen research groups) and provided not only fundamental knowledge, but was valuable in securing many investigator-initiated federal grants. We cannot overemphasize the importance of an ITC for the Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics (SCSB) core faculty and our other colleagues who are interested in the molecular mechanisms of their proteins of interest. The new instrument will be housed in the existing SCSB space at UTMB, and will be supported by the SCSB. A Ph.D.-level solution biophysics Facility Manager, also fully supported by the SCSB, will oversee the system. Scheduling of the instrument will be web-based, and any conflicts will be resolved through a steering committee. Approximately 10% of the available hours will be reserved for new and outside users, as well as for pilot studies, and in particular, priority will be given to new faculty investigators to facilitate their competition for NIH support. Further, we are confident that the new ITC will stimulate new collaborations among investigators in our University.