The Center for Structural Biology offers several resources to CCR and other NIH intramural investigators.

Biophysics Resource

The Biophysics Resource (BR), operated by the Center, provides CCR investigators with access to both the latest instrumentation and expertise in characterizing the biophysical aspects of systems under structural investigation.

The Biophysics Resource operates as an open, shared-use facility; in general, BR users learn to operate the instruments and conduct their own experients. Our staff members train all first-time users and are also available to consult with investigators on experimental design/analysis or collaborate with them on more complex studies. To learn more, visit the Biophysics Resource.

Cryo-EM Facility

The Cryo-EM Facility is equipped with state-of-the-art cryogenic electron microscopes and the most advanced specimen preparation equipment.  Our mission is primarily to serve the CSB community, but microscope time is also available to other NCI and NIH intramural research groups. Training is available in sample preparation and cryo-EM operation as well as collaborations for structure determination. For detailed information and procedures to access this facility or a  full list of microscopes and specimen preparation device, visit the Cryo-EM Facility.

Crystallization Facility

The Crystallization Facility provides an automated environment for setting up crystallization experiments, storing the resulting plates, and monitoring the status of prepared droplets. The Facility also provides support in interpretation of results as well as collaborative efforts involving X-ray crystallography. The Facility is in Building 538, Rooms 215 and 222. To learn more, visit the Crystallization Facility.

NMR Facility for Biological Research

The NMR Facility for Biological Research is a state-of-the-art nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) facility that researchers use to solve atomic resolution three-dimensional (3D) structures, probe molecular dynamics, and aid in structure-based drug design and molecular targeting. The facility is managed by Dr. Janusz Koscielniak, who is an expert in NMR spectrometer hardware and software. The instruments have been used to study how nucleic acids bind inhibitors, define new functional interaction sites in bio machines, and to reveal structural and dynamic properties critical to biological function. To learn more, visit the NMR Facility for Biological Research.

Protein Technology Core

The primary objective of the Protein Technology Core (PTC) is to establish an experimental screening pipeline for single-domain antibodies termed nanobodies. The PTC, which has recently undergone renovation, is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment.  In addition to developing new methodologies, the Core includes a tissue culture facility with the expertise to support researchers in producing challenging proteins and multiprotein complexes in insect and mammalian cell lines. To learn more, visit the Protein Technology Core.

SAXS Core Facility

The mission of the SAXS Core Facility is to provide support to research projects from CCR principal investigators (PIs), NIH intramural PIs and extramural academic research groups and laboratories. The support includes providing routine access to the APS PUP SAXS/WAXS beamline and in-house SAXS instrument, and expertise in experimental design, data collection, processing, analysis and interpretation. Our main focus is to determine the structure of biomacromolecules and their complexes in solution. The research field includes, but is not limited to, structural studies of nucleic acids, proteins, protein assemblies, virus particles, lipid membranes, protein/DNA and protein/RNA complexes. To learn more, visit the SAXS Core Facility.