Award details

(A) Studies of the assembly and trafficking of large and membrane-associated proteins by electron microscopy

Reference	JE412572
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Karl Kadler
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor Keith Gull, Professor Stephen High
Institution	The University of Manchester
Department	Life Sciences
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	122,768
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	22/09/2000
End date	22/03/2001
Duration	6 months

Abstract

The research of numerous multidisciplinary groups in the School of Biological Sciences, at the University of Manchester, is focused on understanding the structure, folding and assembly of multimeric protein complexes, and how these are translocated/transported through membranes and membrane-bound vesicles, sometimes for secretion to the extracellular matrix. The structures of interest include the Tim9/10 chaperone for the mitochondrial polytopic proteins, molecular chaperones of the endoplasmic reticulum, supramolecular extracellular matrix proteins (including procollagens, fibrillins and the telloid metalloproteinases that are important for dorso-ventral patterning in animals); integrins (cell-matrix receptors that are critical for cell attachment and movement); cell shape determining proteins of Trypanosomatidae; chromosome segregation factors; and the endosomal membrane trafficking proteins. The aim of the proposal is to acquire a new Phillps-fei BioTwin transmission electron microscope to facilitate structure determination and sub-cellular localisation studies, of these proteins. The objectives are to integrate structural information obtained from the BioTwin with information from biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics to answer some of the most challenging questions of how multiplicity of specific protein interactions underpin cell biology and development of animals. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is the major technique used to understand the structure-function relationships of multicomponent and largely non- crystalline structures. We have considerable experience with this technique but our existing electron microscopes are over 20 years old, are becoming unreliable, have limited applications and do not provide us with the opportunity to develop the latest EM methods. The BioTwin will provide vital infrastructure in electron microscopy to the School of Biological Sciences, and to the BBSRC-funded North of England Structural Biology Centre (NESBIC) of which the University of Manchester is one of the 4 founding members. Each of the applicants has extensive peer review funding for projects and has an immediate need for the proposed electron microscope. The BioTwin will form a central part in the University's infrastructure in structural biology and will benefit numerous individuals whose activities in EM are severely restricted by the available facilities within the University.

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	Joint Equipment Initiative 1999 (JE4) [1999]
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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