# Laboratory of Biomolecular Structure and Function

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA · 2021 · $24,838

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
(Laboratory for Biomolecular Structure and Function)
The OUHSC X-ray Core Facility was initiated in 1998 with a NIH IDeA grant to Dr. Paul Weigel, former chair of
the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The facility was recently renamed the Laboratory of
Biomolecular Structure and Function (LBSF). The LBSF provides expertise and assess to instruments to the
individual COBRE projects on a variety of techniques critical to crystallographic and small angle X-ray
scattering studies (SAXS) of proteins and nucleic acids. The crystallographic techniques include screening
crystals for diffraction quality at room temperature, crystal cryo-protectant screening, crystal cryprotection
under high pressure, diffraction data collection, diffraction data processing, space group assignment, structure
determination, structure refinement, structure analysis, structure interpretatoin, and figure preparation. The
SAXS-related methods include dynamic light scattering to check for aggregates and to measure polydispersity
prior to sending the samples for SAXS data colleciton at national facilities. In Phase I of the COBRE, the facility
was upgraded with a new Rigaku MicroMax 007 X-ray generator, a plate Wyatt plate-reading dynamic light
scattering instrument for high throughput studies, and a Leica microscope for making images of crystals. The
new X-ray generator gives a four-fold more intense X-ray beam of smaller diameter. These features are critical
for the screening the small, weakly diffracting crystals common in the COBRE research projects. The
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation donated a Mar345 image plate X-ray dectector, a Varimax HF optic
system, an Oxford cryosystem, and a MSC Xe-Siter apparatus for introducing noble gases into protien cavities
in crystals for phasing experiments. The Rigaku X-ray system was modifed by adding a second bench to
enable the addition of the Mar345 system to the second port of the X-ray generator. The RaxisIV system was
enclosed with shielding that enables users to mount crystals on the Mar system while data are being collected
on the Rigaku system. This setup has enabled two groups to collect data simultaneously or one group to
collect diffraction data from two crystals at the same time. The new X-ray generator has been used to screen
protein and RNA crystals for diffraction quality and to develop cryo-conditions. The plate-reading DLS
apparatus has been used to screen buffers for those that promote protein stability for protein storage and
crystallization trials. DLS has also been used to screen SAXS samples for the presence of aggregates prior to
shipment to SAXS beam lines at national facilities. In Phase I, ten groups participated in SAXS studies. During
Phase II, an Integrative Molecular Modeling Unit will be added to faciltate intenstive computational work such
as virutal screening for candidate drug molecules, molecular dynamics simulations, molecular replacement
with phenix-rosetta, and mol...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10197147
- **Project number:** 5P20GM103640-10
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
- **Principal Investigator:** Blaine H. M. Mooers
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $24,838
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2012-08-01 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10197147

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10197147, Laboratory of Biomolecular Structure and Function (5P20GM103640-10). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10197147. Licensed CC0.

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