R24GM145964

The Southeastern Center for Microscopy of Macromolecular Machines (SECM4) - Abstract

The Southeastern Center for Microscopy of Macromolecular Machines (SECM4), at Florida State University (FSU), will be a service center that will enable sample preparation and cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) imaging of specimens for high-resolution biomolecular structure determination. The center will be led by Dr. Scott Stagg and Dr. Kenneth Taylor and will feature two staff members with complimentary expertise. This will be the second generation of the SECM4. The first generation provided high-resolution cryo-EM data collection for cryo-EM experts.

In the new generation of the SECM4, we are expanding the scope of the resource by offsetting the cost of collecting high-resolution data on the microscope for all users with a very modest usage fee. We are also offering a large number of new services, including cryo-EM specimen optimization, specimen preparation, specimen screening, high-resolution data collection, routine single particle data analysis, and training for all aspects of cryo-EM from specimen preparation to processing.

We will target users in the greater Southeast to be clients for the center, specifically focusing on expanding into the underserved IDEA states that have not benefited from the current explosion in cryo-EM due to the extraordinary costs that serve as an entry barrier.

Our approach will enable exceptional economies of scale because we will:

1) Enable users at universities across the Southeast to gain entry into the cryo-EM field without making multi-million dollar investments in instrumentation.

2) By offering screening and specimen optimization services, we will address the biggest bottleneck in cryo-EM right now, which is the preparation of cryo-EM samples that will reconstruct to high-resolution.

3) By offering in-person training and offsetting the travel costs, we will enable interested users to gain entry into the field of cryo-EM without having to seek out a collaboration with an already saturated cryo-EM expert.

Florida State University

THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES (NIGMS) SUPPORTS BASIC RESEARCH THAT INCREASES OUR UNDERSTANDING OF BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES AND LAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR ADVANCES IN DISEASE DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION. NIGMS ALSO SUPPORTS RESEARCH IN SPECIFIC CLINICAL AREAS THAT AFFECT MULTIPLE ORGAN SYSTEMS: ANESTHESIOLOGY AND PERI-OPERATIVE PAIN, CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ?COMMON TO MULTIPLE DRUGS AND TREATMENTS, AND INJURY, CRITICAL ILLNESS, SEPSIS, AND WOUND HEALING.? NIGMS-FUNDED SCIENTISTS INVESTIGATE HOW LIVING SYSTEMS WORK AT A RANGE OF LEVELSFROM MOLECULES AND CELLS TO TISSUES AND ORGANSIN RESEARCH ORGANISMS, HUMANS, AND POPULATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, TO ENSURE THE VITALITY AND CONTINUED PRODUCTIVITY OF THE RESEARCH ENTERPRISE, NIGMS PROVIDES LEADERSHIP IN SUPPORTING THE TRAINING OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS, ENHANCING THE DIVERSITY OF THE SCIENTIFIC WORKFORCE, AND DEVELOPING RESEARCH CAPACITY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

93.859 - Biomedical Research and Research Training

National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) [HHS - NIH]

Tallahassee, Florida 323060001 United States

Single Zip Code

Limited Competition: NIGMS National and Regional Resources (R24 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (PAR-19-301)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 284% from $1,164,382 to $4,468,754.