# Circular Dichroism Spectrometer

> **NIH NIH S10** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2020 · $100,071

## Abstract

Project Abstract:
A team of NIH-funded investigators request funds to purchase a circular dichroism (CD) spectrometer. The
instrument will be used to gain comprehensive understanding of a broad range of molecules, including
secondary structure of proteins and natural and synthetic peptides, transition metal-nucleotide catalysts, and
bioactive small molecules. It will also be used for developing enantioselective reactions of natural and
unnatural small molecules of medical significance. Specific examples of how the CD spectrometer will be used
include: screening structural differences in mutant transporter protein libraries that are related to genetic
diseases, investigating the role of temperature on the structure of methyltransferases, examining how
posttranslational modifications affect the structure of translation elongation factor(s), analyzing chain
conformations in synthetic and polypeptides, nucleotide polymers, and probing enantioselective reactions to
design and develop natural and unnatural small molecules that are of medical and biological significance. The
current CD spectrometer housed in the UCLA-DOE Biochemistry Instrumentation facility is one of only two
instruments at UCLA, and the only one found in a core facility that accepts a large user base. However, it is
over 20 years old and parts are no longer available to maintain the level of performance required. Therefore,
access to this technology is currently lacking to the general research community at UCLA. The specific
instrument we are requesting is a Chirascan V100 spectrometer (standard with a high sensitivity solid state
absorbance/CD detector, avalanche photodiode, and water circulator for heat dissipation from sample storage
Peltier) manufactured by Applied Photophysics. The Chirascan V100 represents the state-of-the-art in CD
spectrometer technology. It exhibits exceptional sensitivity, speed, and robustness for circular dichroism
experiments. Thus, it is well suited to serve the needs of the UCLA research community. The spectrometer will
be located in the UCLA-DOE Biochemistry Instrumentation Facility where it will be accessible to the entire
UCLA research community. Two highly experienced Ph.D.-level staff members with full salary support from
UCLA, will be responsible for the maintenance, operation, and training of individuals on the instrument.
Additionally, UCLA will provide funds to support the service contract for the spectrometer to ensure it is
properly maintained and calibrated for long-term use by the broader research community at UCLA.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9939329
- **Project number:** 1S10OD028491-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** Joseph A Loo
- **Activity code:** S10 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $100,071
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-07-15 → 2021-07-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9939329

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9939329, Circular Dichroism Spectrometer (1S10OD028491-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9939329. Licensed CC0.

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