JEOL 2100PLUS(CR)
NIH
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
Project Summary/Abstract Cryogenic Transmission Electron Microscopy (cryoTEM) has emerged as a powerful approach to acquiring structural information from proteins, subcellular organelles, and other biomacromolecules and their assemblies. This proposal seeks funding to bring cryoTEM capabilities to the University of Georgia for the purpose of facilitating NIH-supported research related to cell organelle biogenesis, the biochemistry of metabolism and gene expression, the mechanisms of diverse human diseases and disorders, antibody therapeutics, antivirals, treatments for infectious diseases, and fundamental structural and cellular biology. The proposed equipment includes a cryo-capable, 200 kV transmission electron microscope (JEOL 2100PLUS) with a direct electron detection device (Direct Electron DE16ER camera) and the essential equipment needed for sample vitrification and handling (a Leica EM GP2 automatic plunge freezer, and a Gatan Elsa cryo sample holder with turbo benchtop pumping station). This multipurpose cryoTEM system will support the needs of NIH-funded investigators at the University of Georgia (UGA) for (1) the preparation and screening of vitrified samples; (2) data collection for single particle analysis, tomographic reconstructions, and micro-electron diffraction; and (3) improved conventional TEM imaging. This equipment will be installed at the Georgia Electron Microscopy (GEM) core facility in custom-designed laboratory space, and it will be operated and maintained by GEM’s staff. By establishing campus-level access to cryoTEM instrumentation, services, expertise, and hands-on training, this project will enable numerous biomedical researchers to incorporate cryoTEM methods into their research programs. UGA’s vibrant, NIH-supported research groups include five major users of cryoTEM, eight minor users of cryoTEM, and additional investigators who will be future cryoTEM practitioners. Project Narrative Cryo-transmission electron microscopy has emerged as a powerful technique for acquiring key structural information from proteins, subcellular organelles, and other biomacromolecules and their assemblies. This proposal seeks funding to bring cryo-electron microscopy capabilities to the University of Georgia for the purpose of facilitating NIH-supported research progress by producing new knowledge related to cell organelle biogenesis, the biochemistry of metabolism and gene expression, and the mechanisms of diverse human diseases and disorders. These projects have strong relationships to public health priorities, specifically by developing targets relevant to respiratory diseases (e.g., RSV, hMPV, influenza), infectious diseases (e.g., malaria, H. pylori), and neurodegenerative processes (e.g., Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases) through structure-based drug and vaccine candidate design.
Other Research-Related