# CSHL X-Ray Methods in Structural Biology Course

> **NIH NIH R13** · COLD SPRING HARBOR LABORATORY · 2021 · $71,720

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory proposes to continue the course on X-Ray Methods in Structural
Biology to be held in the fall of 2017-2021. X-ray methods, spearheaded by X-ray
crystallography, yield a wealth of structural information unobtainable through other methods.
This intensive 16-day course combines a thorough theoretical approach with practical
experience, including extensive laboratory and computational training. Lectures and practical
sessions focus on X-ray crystallographic techniques, which remain indispensable in yielding
atomic level structural detail of macromolecules, but also extend to X-ray solution scattering
(SAXS), and serial crystallography in X-ray free electron lasers (XFEL) and synchrotron
sources. The course aspires to provide the opportunity for researchers working in different
biological disciplines to become grounded in the techniques and principles of macromolecular
crystallography and complementary methods. Learning the theory and practice of the methods
at hand, allows participants with a working knowledge of macromolecular structure and function,
but who are new to X-ray methods, to harvest the power of recent developments in automation
and apply the methods to their current research questions. Topics in X-ray crystallography
include basic diffraction theory, crystallization of soluble and also membrane proteins (including
lipidic cubic phase techniques), nucleic acids, macromolecular complexes and viruses, crystal
cryo-protection and characterization, home, synchrotron, XFEL X-ray sources and optics, X-ray
diffraction data collection and data processing, experimental phasing methods including
anomalous diffraction, molecular replacement, density modification, electron density map
interpretation and model building, structure refinement and validation, as well as coordinate
deposition and structure presentation. Topics in X-ray scattering include theory lectures and
computational training to derive SAXS invariants and models to understand macromolecular
domain organization.
Following three decades that have seen two Nobel prize winners graduating from the course, it
is time for change: within the duration of the grant, the organization and running of the course
will be handed off to a new generation. Two new instructors will participate in the team from the
start, and by the end of the grant period a new set of instructors will ensure continuity and
renewal. The course will continue to teach participants through extensive hands-on experiments
along with lectures and informal discussions on the theory behind the techniques and the latest
developments in automating experimental and computational procedures, from world leaders in
methods development. Applications are open to a wide range of students including advanced
graduate students, medical students, post-doctoral fellows, faculty at universities and medical
schools, as well as Ph.D. and M.D. scientists from industry, aiming to allow students to learn
techn...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10002310
- **Project number:** 5R13GM103047-09
- **Recipient organization:** COLD SPRING HARBOR LABORATORY
- **Principal Investigator:** TERRI I. GRODZICKER
- **Activity code:** R13 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $71,720
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2012-09-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10002310

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10002310, CSHL X-Ray Methods in Structural Biology Course (5R13GM103047-09). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10002310. Licensed CC0.

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