Preparative Ultracentrifuge and Rotors for Western BioCORE Facility

对纯化蛋白质的详细研究是理解基本生化机制、评估蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用、测量酶动力学和确定可用于指导基于结构的药物设计和合成生物学的三维结构的关键。 蛋白质纯化的基础步骤是从含蛋白质的上清液中初步分离细胞器和膜，通常使用超离心法进行。该申请要求为将安装到西部多用户集中式生物分子核心设施（BioCORE）的超级计算机、转子和服务协议提供资金（www.schulich.uwo.ca/biocore）。迫切需要这一设备，以更换两台使用25年的超级离心泵，这两台泵现在多次出现故障和维修，以及出于安全原因已经退役或降低额定值的转子。拟议中的设备将支持伦敦地区西部和周边研究所的50多个NSERC资助的研究小组。该超级中心将被纳入BioCORE的蛋白质生产和合成生物学设施，BioCORE是Western分子和合成生物学的开放式一站式技术中心，近25年来一直支持研究人员。BioCORE还包括用于质谱、NMR光谱、X射线晶体学和蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用实验的共享仪器。BioCORE由三名科学家进行专业管理，他们将为新的超级计算机的HQP提供专家培训和帮助。 拟议的超离心器和转子将通过提供一个现代化的、高效的蛋白质纯化系统来支持和有益于多个研究项目。它将加快与癌症、帕金森病和SARS-CoV 2相关的蛋白质的研究。此外，集中的位置和支持人员将提高学术界，政府机构和生物技术/化学工业所需的HQP的分析技能。

Detailed studies of purified proteins are key to understanding fundamental biochemical mechanisms, assessing protein-protein interactions, measuring enzyme kinetics and determination of three-dimensional structures that can be used to guide structure-based drug design and synthetic biology. The foundational step in protein purification is the initial separation of organelles and membranes from the protein-containing supernatant, typically done using ultracentrifugation. This application requests funding for an ultracentrifuge, rotors and service agreement that will be installed into the multi-user, centralized Biomolecular Core Facilities (BioCORE) at Western (www.schulich.uwo.ca/biocore). This equipment is urgently needed to replace two 25-year-old ultracentrifuges that are now subject to multiple breakdowns and repairs, and rotors that have either been decommissioned or de-rated for safety reasons. The proposed equipment will support more than 50 NSERC-funded research groups at Western and surrounding institutes in the London region. The ultracentrifuge will be incorporated into the Protein Production and Synthetic Biology facility of the BioCORE, an open-access, one-stop technology hub for molecular and synthetic biology at Western that has been supporting researchers for nearly 25 years. The BioCORE also consists of shared instruments for mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography and protein-protein interaction experiments. The BioCORE is professionally managed by three staff scientists who will provide expert training and assistance for HQP of the new ultracentrifuge. The proposed ultracentrifuge and rotors will support and benefit multiple research programs by providing a modern, efficient system for protein purification. It will expedite research on proteins associated with cancer, Parkinson's disease and SARS-CoV2. Further, the centralized location and support staff will enhance the analytical skills for HQP needed in academia, government agencies and biotechnology/chemical industries.