# Structural Biology

> **NIH NIH P30** · SANFORD BURNHAM PREBYS MEDICAL DISCOVERY INSTITUTE · 2021 · $255,364

## Abstract

ABSTRACT – STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY SHARED RESOURCE
The mission of the Structural Biology Shared Resource is to advance our understanding of the molecular basis
of cancer by giving Cancer Center scientists access to equipment, technology and expertise for structural and
biophysical studies of biological molecules. Structural biology enables multi-scale visualization of molecular and
supramolecular structure and dynamics with the ultimate goal of characterizing biological systems in their
functional native states. This requires a multidisciplinary approach that spans the ranges of length and time
scales effective in biology. The Core, managed by the Center, maintains state-of-the-art equipment, develops
technology, provides service, and promotes collaborative activities with Cancer Center scientists. There are four
central and complementary areas of structural biology: nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-ray
crystallography, the recently added electron cryo-microscopy and cellular tomography (cryo-EM, and ET), and
the long-standing biomolecular analysis facility. These technologies are typically not available in individual
Center member laboratories, owing to their expense and complexity of operation. Core equipment supporting
NMR includes two 600 MHz instruments with cryoprobes, a wide bore 500 MHz spectrometer set up for solid
state analysis, and a highly automated 400 MHz instrument supporting chemistry. X-ray crystallography
equipment includes a robotic dispenser and two, automated imaging incubators (5° and 20°), a Rigaku FRE
SuperBright X-ray diffractometer with two independent beams and detectors. Cryo-EM analysis is supported by
a Thermo Titan Krios with a 4Kx4K Falcon III direct electron detection device and a phase plate, as well as a
Tecnai 12 Spirit G2 equipped with a 4Kx4K CCD. Finally, equipment supporting biomolecular analysis includes
an analytical ultracentrifuge, DSC, UV/vis spectrometry, Fluorescence spectrophotometer, two ITC instruments,
and MST. The three Ph.D.-level Core staff maintain the equipment, train users, and in the case of biomolecular
analysis, provide full-service analysis. For structural biology analysis, Core users can collaborate with Core staff
for smaller projects or collaborate with expert structural biology groups in the Cancer Center to pursue more
complex projects. A number of such successful collaborations are described in the Research Plan. In the past 5
years, the Core was used by 16 Center labs representing all three programs, and supported 62 cancer-related
publications.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10174815
- **Project number:** 5P30CA030199-40
- **Recipient organization:** SANFORD BURNHAM PREBYS MEDICAL DISCOVERY INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** Francesca M Marassi
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $255,364
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-05-01 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10174815

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10174815, Structural Biology (5P30CA030199-40). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10174815. Licensed CC0.

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