Purchase of an "on loan" CCD X-ray detector to work with a micro-focus X-ray generator (Bruker AXS) for structural studies. (360G-Wellcome-088287_Z_09_A)

The Applicants are an inter-Divisional team of five Principal Investigators, all of whom are involved in the determination of the 3-dimensional structures of biological macromolecules as a central focus for highly interdisciplinary research programmes. A unifying theme to the systems studied is their significant potential biomedical relevance. We seek 237,713 of a total project cost of 342,676 for the purchase of a state-of-the-art Bruker Charged Coupled Device X-ray detector (with associat ed kappa goniostat), a cryostat and a dedicated staff scientist to run our multi-user macromolecular crystallography facility. This facility provides open access to groups from the Departments of Chemistry, Pharmacology, Physiology and Pathology, in addition to 8 research groups from within the Biochemistry Department. Under an agreement with the University of Oxford, we have had the Bruker CCD detector on loan from the manufacturer for 3 years (2005-2008). This has given us the opportunity to test and thoroughly assess its capabilities. The detector has already permitted the determination of several novel macromolecular structures that would not have been possible with our previous in-house equipment. Purchase of this detector will ensure that we have the best equipment that is currently available to ensure optimal measurement of diffraction data.