Call for applications to the Membrane Protein Lab at Diamond
Applications are now invited for proposals to use the Membrane
Protein Laboratory (MPL) at the Diamond Light Source Ltd.
Closing date for applications: 4th December, 2008.
MPL website: http://www.diamond.ac.uk/Science/MPL
The MPL is a user facility open to anyone who is studying membrane
proteins.
If you are interested in learning more about crystallising and
solving structures of membrane proteins or large complexes, please
read on.
The MPL is located in the Diamond Synchrotron in Oxfordshire,
England. It is a collaboration between Prof. So Iwata at Imperial
College and Dame Prof. Louise Johnson and Dr Gwyndaf Evans at
Diamond. It is a fully equipped laboratory for expression,
purification and crystallisation of membrane proteins. Applications
can be made to the MPL for regular visits or for a period of up to 3
months to work within the MPL. Applications are reviewed by our
scientific advisory board and visits can be arranged when
applications have been accepted.
What does the MPL offer to users:
Equipment:
All the necessary equipment for expression, purification and
crystallisation
A high-throughput crystallisation robot
Fluidigm Topaz microfluidics system,
The PX scanner system for diffraction from crystals in 96 well plates.
Microscopes with a fluorescence adaption for crystal insection
Coming soon: The Caffrey lipidic cubic phase robot will be installed
in the lab by the end of November. We hope to make this available to
users in January 2009.
Training:
Training in crystallisation is provided by Dr Momi Iwata, Dr Liz
Carpenter and Miss Milka Pribisova. Momi in particular has extensive
experience in crystallizing membrane proteins and she can help users
obtain the best from their proteins.
In addition to the MPL crystallisation facility we can also offer
assistance with expression and
purification of membrane proteins through collaboration with Dr David
Drew, who has developed
many useful techniques for expression and purification of membrane
proteins in E. coli and
yeast systems (Drew et al., Protein Science, 14, 2011-2017, 2005;
Drew et al., Nature Methods, 3, 303-313, 2006; Newstead et al., PNAS,
104, 13936-13941, 2007; Drew et al., Nature Protocols, 3, 784-798,
2008).
Membrane proteins can be difficult to solve due to the data being of
low resolution and anisotropic. Dr Alex Cameron, who has experience
in solving structures using such data, eg the hydantoin transporter
(Science, Vol. 322, pp. 709 – 71, 2008), can provide assistance and
training to MPL users.
How to apply:
Initially please email [EMAIL PROTECTED] to see if your
project is suitable.
Please complete the application forms and safety docs on this web
page: http://www.diamond.ac.uk/Science/MPL/MPLUsers/Applying.htm
Return these docs by email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] on or
before the 4th of December 2008.
Time will be allocated from January onwards once the review process
is completed.
