Award details

Studing the sizes shapes and conformational changes of biomolecules.

Reference	BB/C511505/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Timothy Dafforn
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor Baz Jackson, Professor Peter Lund, Dr David Scott
Institution	University of Birmingham
Department	Sch of Biosciences
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	191,475
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/01/2005
End date	30/09/2005
Duration	9 months

Abstract

An understanding of biology comes from an understanding of the interactions that occur between the molecules that make up living things. Recent advances in genomics and proteomics has led to an explosion in our knowledge of the molecules within a cell. It is now the characterisation of the interactions between this palette of biomolecules that has to be undertaken. The project proposed here details the case for the establishment of a state-of-the-art analytical ultracentrifuge facility in the School of Biosciences in Birmingham. It is envisaged that this facility will support and enhance the existing broad spectrum of projects studying biomolecule interactions. These studies have been restricted in the recent past by the mothballing of the previous very ancient AUC. To illustrate the need for such a facility in Birmingham we have highlighted a number of projects where the technique would be important. These include the study of the association states of the protein chaperone GroEl (P Lund), transhydrogenase (J Jackson), and serpins (T Dafforn). Alongside these studies are work on the protein-protein interactions that underlie cell motility (L Machesky), and muscle contraction (B Levine). We also propose to use AUC to study protein interactions with other biomolecules, in particular DNA-protein interactions (S Busby, K Futterer, E Hyde). As well as enhancing existing projects the presence of an AUC will provide an opportunity for routine testing of samples prior to structural study. Data from AUC giving valuable information on crystallisation conditions for X-ray structure solution and assessment of aggregate content for NMR and X-ray structure determination. In order to provide guidance in the implementation of such a facility Birmingham has secured the services of a dynamic young AUC specialist, Dr David Scott, who will provide project based advice as well as postgraduate courses on the practice and theory of AUC. Support funding has been raised from the AUC manufacturers Beckman-Coulter alongside designation of Birmingham as the UK AUC training site. The bid has also been supported by a generous pledge from the university demonstrating the importance of this resource in the overall strategic plan for the school. Taken together this facility will compliment almost 1 million pounds worth of existing BBSRC funding contributing to an exceptionally wide range of biological investigations.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Biomolecular Sciences (BMS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	Research Equipment Initiative 2004 (RE4) [2004]
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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