Structural Chemistry
Eskitis Institute for Cell & Molecular Therapies
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About
Update: 20.05.2008
Structural Chemistry at the Eskitis Institute
Structural Chemistry complements the research portfolio of Eskitis by providing structural information in order to understand protein mechanisms at the molecular level. To improve the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of diseases as well as to identify possible sites of interference, one needs to have a solid understanding of the structure and functions of proteins, their interactions with ligands, target proteins and membranes.
Eskitis Structural Chemistry, with protein crystallography on the one hand, and a variety of biophysical methods on the other, provides data about structure, shape and properties of proteins and establishes structure-function relationships to obtain a rational for future therapeutic applications.
Through collaborative links with other groups and programs within the Institute and other Research Centres, we also provide expertise and support to other projects under the principal research themes of Structural Biology and Biophysics.
Expertise
The group has expertise in and access to a broad range of methods from molecular cloning, protein expression and purification, protein crystallography, as well as biophysical methods such as UV/Vis, circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy, multi-angle light scattering, X-ray and neutron scattering, isothermal titration calorimetry, membrane and monolayer adsorption. We also maintain a well-established network of collaborations with specialist experts and project collaborators.
Instrumentation
Circular Dichroism Spectrometer
JASCO J-715 ORD/CD spectropolarimeter with Peltier temperature control accessory. CD spectroscopy is used to elucidate the conformation and secondary structure, as well as the stability of proteins. The instrument uses the JASCO software SpectraManager for data acquisition. We have developed software for further processing of spectra and secondary structure prediction (ACDP).
Crystal Imaging Workstation
The Crystal MonitorTM workstation from Emerald BioSystems is an automated stereomicroscope to capture digital images of crystallisation set-ups.
Incubator shaker
An Innova 44R shaker incubator (refrigerated) from New Brunswick Scientific is used for large scale expression cell cultures.
Langmuir surface film balance
Lipid monolayers are established models for lipid membranes and a useful tool in assessing protein-membrane interactions. Monolayer measurements are done on a Langmuir surface film balance that monitors the pressure on a lipid layer at the air-water interface. Our lab has a NIMA Model 301A for monolayer experiments.
Multi-angle light scattering
Multi-angle light scattering enables determination of the molecular mass of moelcules from first principles. For SEC-MALS, we have a Wyatt miniDawn Treos multi-angle laser light scattering unit and a Shimadzu RID-10 refractive index detector coupled to size exclusion chromatography that is performed using a BioRad DuoFlow HPLC system.
Stereomicroscope
The Leica MZ16A stereomicroscope with motor focus is used for monitoring crystallisation as well as crystal handling and mounting.
X-ray diffractometer
Within the Structural Chemistry X-ray Facility we have a Rigaku MicroMax-007HF generator with VariMax optics delivering a beam brightness of 3.8 * 109 X-ray/sec/mm2/mR2 and a beam size of about 0.2 mm at the sample. The instrument is equipped with an R-Axis IV++ detector and the X-stream cryo system.
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Version 10: 20.12.06 / Continuously updated.
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