NE-CAT: A Resource for Advanced Macromolecular Crystallography

NE-CAT的主要目标是为用户提供最先进的同步加速器光束线， 大分子晶体学NE-CAT于2001年开始规划和设计两条光束线。束线 24-ID-C于2006年开始提供给高级光子源用户，光束线24-ID-E成为 在2007年可用。在随后的几年里，光束线的改进导致了稳定的小X射线 光束非常适合高分子晶体学中具有挑战性的问题。每条光束线 配备了高容量样品自动计数器和显微衍射仪。Beamline 24-ID-C特性 EIGER 2 X 16 M像素阵列探测器，24-ID-E配备EIGER X 16 M。NE-CAT提供 数据收集和分析自动化软件（RAPD）和远程数据网络接口 收藏.我们将继续提供日常维护，以确保有效和可靠的数据收集， 我们提出了一个升级计划，以在未来五年内保持最先进的能力， 这个应用程序。这一时期包括APS升级项目所需的12个月无X线检查。我们 将利用这个极好的机会，重建一个近20年的系统，成为该领域的领导者， 20年NE-CAT拥有经验丰富且敬业的科学工作人员，他们能够访问光束线。 工作人员24/7随时待命，协助用户满足数据收集和处理需求。这种高度 受人尊敬的员工是NE-CAT的主要优势。NE-CAT在技术和可靠性方面有着出色的记录， 问题很少干扰用户访问。NE-CAT由Steven Ealick博士执导，他有更多的 30年的经验，监督同步加速器设施的运作，为大分子 结晶学由副主任马尔科姆卡佩尔博士领导的技术小组和行动小组， 由副主任Frank Murphy博士领导，密切合作，确保用户的需求 社区得到满足。这三个人共同组成了NE-CAT管理团队。NE-CAT 对波束时间的要求很高，并且每次运行都将所有可用的波束时间分配给用户。NE-CAT通常 每年托管来自大约160个独特用户组的1500多个用户，无论是现场还是远程。NE- CAT用户去年发表了约200篇论文，预计今年将发表190多篇论文。 2021. NE-CAT的生产率记录使其成为全球高分子材料生产设施的佼佼者 结晶学NE-CAT运营着一个广泛的用户培训计划，适用于第一次使用的用户， 具有技术挑战性问题的高级用户，以及介于两者之间的所有人。一个网站可供 提供新用户或现有用户所需的所有信息。NE-CAT参加了许多培训和外联活动 活动包括组织年度讲习班和参加专业协会会议。 工作人员与用户团体密切合作，并经常应邀共同撰写用户产生的手稿。 支持和培训。

The main goal of NE-CAT is to provide user access to state-of-the-art synchrotron beamlines for macromolecular crystallography. NE-CAT began planning and design for two beamlines in 2001. Beamline 24-ID-C became available to Advanced Photon Source users in 2006 and beamline 24-ID-E became available in 2007. During the ensuing years, beamline improvements have resulted in stable, small X-ray beams ideally suited for challenging problems in macromolecular crystallography. Each beamline is equipped with a high capacity sample automounter and a microdiffractometer. Beamline 24-ID-C features an EIGER2 X 16M pixel array detector, and 24-ID-E features an EIGER X 16M. NE-CAT provides automated software for data collection and analysis (RAPD) and a web-based interface for remote data collection. We will continue to provide routine maintenance to ensure efficient and reliable data collection, and we propose an upgrade program to maintain state-of-the-art capabilities over the five years covered by this application. This period includes 12 months without X-rays required for the APS upgrade project. We will use this superb opportunity to rebuild a nearly 20-year-old system to be leaders in the field for another 20 years. NE-CAT has an experienced and dedicated scientific staff who enable access to the beamlines. The staff is available or on call 24/7 to assist users with data collection and processing needs. This highly regarded staff is a major strength of NE-CAT. NE-CAT has an outstanding record of reliability with technical problems rarely interfering with user access. NE-CAT is directed by Dr. Steven Ealick, who has more that 30 years of experience overseeing the operation of synchrotron facilities for macromolecular crystallography. The technical group, led by Deputy Director Dr. Malcolm Capel, and the operations group, led by Associate Director Dr. Frank Murphy work closely together to ensure that the needs of the user community are met. Together, these three individuals make up the NE-CAT management team. NE-CAT beam time is in high demand, and each run all available beam time is allocated to users. NE-CAT typically hosts more than 1500 users per year from about 160 unique user groups, either on site or remotely. NE- CAT users published about 200 papers during the last year and are projected to publish more than 190 in 2021. NE-CAT’s record of productivity places it among the top of worldwide facilities for macromolecular crystallography. NE-CAT operates an extensive user training program adaptable to first time users, advanced users with technically challenging problems, and everyone in between. A website is available to provide all information needed by new or current users. NE-CAT participates in many training and outreach activities including organization of an annual workshop and participation in professional society meetings. The staff works closely with user groups and are often invited to coauthor manuscripts resulting from user support and training.