Integrated Structural Cell Biology /

Instruct-HiLIFE Applications

Structural cell biology offers a wide range of different techniques for purification and analysis of biological complexes and their structures.

To protect our users and staff during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Instruct-HiLIFE has restricted physical access to its facilities. However, it may be possible to undertake research remotely. Please, contact the corresponding infrastructure, if you have questions about the use of instrumentation during the restricted access period.

Biocomplex purification
Crystallization
CryoEM
NMR

Biocomplex purification

Biocomplex applications

Biocomplex provides purification technologies and expertise specializing in the ultracentrifugation techniques, monolithic chromatography and asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF4). Provided techniques can be used in different combinations to yield high quality samples in quantity.

  • Separation and purification of cells, organelles, macromolecules, macromolecular complexes, vesicles and viruses etc.
  • Ultracentrifugation combined with swing-out and fixed-angle rotors of different capacities;
  • Monolithic ion exchange chromatography;
  • Asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF4);
  • User training, assisted use of instruments, open access for trained users, specialist support and maintenance;
  • Project planning;
  • Full service packages on sample purification (including analysis of the quality and quantity);
  • Collaborative projects

Crystallization

  • Sample preparation for crystallisation
  • Pre-crystallisation tests
  • Screens for protein stability
  • Temperature dependence of three-dimensional crystal formation of protein
  • Protein crystallisation, membrane proteins especially
  • Screens for crystallisation conditions: random, grid and targeted screens
  • Protein optimisation using fluorescence-based thermal shift assay
  • Optimisation of crystallisation hits
  • Collaborative projects
  • Education and training in protein crystallography
  • Help with the structure determination and analysis

CryoEM

Cryo-EM is applicable for projects in e.g. structural biology, nanotechnology, time-resolved assembly and phase transitions. Depending on the approach used, subnanometer resolution can be achieved.

  • Single particle averaging and three dimensional (3D) reconstructions
  • Electron tomography and 3D-reconstructions
  • Measurements and statistical analyses
  • Study of biological macromolecular complexes and other electron-beam sensitive materials in aqueous solutions
  • Particle sizes that range from ~10 to 300 nm in diameter
  • Project planning and assessment
  • Sample optimisation and preparation
  • Plunge freezing services (BSL2)
  • Advice on image reconstruction
  • Collaborative projects
  • Courses in structural biology, cryo electron microscopy and image reconstruction

NMR

  • Structure determination of a protein up to 30 kDa in native liquid state
  • Protein-ligand and protein-protein interactions in liquid state
  • Dynamic of a macromolecule characterization over a wide range of time scales
  • Macromolecule size determination with Diffusion spectroscopy
  • Protein backbone dynamics analysis
  • Effects of a mutation to structure
  • Small molecule NMR