A Synchrotron-like X-ray Source for Structural Biology at Vanderbilt

Overview


Structural BiologyType: Vanderbilt Reinvestment Award (VRA)

Despite the development of new structural techniques such as Cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography remains the dominant method used in all structural biology. However, the rate of X-ray discovery is limited by long queues and maintenance downtime of synchrotron radiation sources, which are enormous federally run facilities. A new type of home radiation source called MetalJetnow allows data to be collected locally on campus, dramatically expediting and expanding the entire structural biology enterprise. By supporting a rental of this equipment, Vanderbilt has the opportunity to swiftly take the lead in the previously impossible structural biology and academic structure-based drug design. An on-site device will expedite the university’s rate of discovery and provide a unique educational experience for Vanderbilt students.

Faculty Participants

Lead Faculty in bold

School of Medicine (Clinical)

College of Arts & Science

School of Medicine (Basic Science)