This MOSBRI course focuses on sample preparation of integral membrane proteins and their complexes using a biophysical quality control pipeline prior to performing structural biology experiments, such as electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) and macromolecular crystallography (MX).

The course will contain tutorial lectures, instrument demonstrations and practical sessions, and is aimed at researchers with some experience in membrane protein purification or interested in acquiring new scientific and technical skills on quality control. The course is free of charge, with financial support available for participants.

Registration is open and the deadline for application has been extended until the 15^th of August 2022.

MOSBRI course on Fluorescence Microscopy for Amyloid Fibril Imaging

Linköping (Sweden) from 23^rd to 25^th May 2022

Five participants from four countries: Belgium, Denmark, The Netherlands and Sweden, attended the ESC2 course on fluorescence microscopy for amyloid fibril imaging at Linköping University (ProLinC) in Sweden. The 3-day course, hosted by Sofie Nyström and Per Hammarström (ProLinC) included lectures about amyloid fibril staining using fluorescent probes, fluorescence microscopy imaging, and image data processing in model systems and in amyloid diseases. The course also comprised of hands‐on sessions in the lab and at the microscopes using participants own samples (recombinant proteins, cells, and tissue sections).

Dr Daisuke Seo from Kanazawa University in Japan visited the MOSBRI site BIFI-LACRIMA (University of Zaragoza, Spain) to carry out research on the project Molecular mechanism of determining the directionality of the reversible reaction catalyzed by ferredoxin-NAD(P)⁺ oxidoreductase. This project, reaching beyond Europe, was enabled by the fact that MOSBRI can grant up to 20% of its access to user groups coming from outside the EU or associated states.

BIFI-LACRIMA is the MOSBRI reference site for isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and thus a natural choice for Dr Seo to carry out assays on Ferredoxin (Fd), a small iron sulphur protein functioning as an electron mediator, to investigate the reduction/oxidation of Fd with NADP⁺, a process which is catalyzed via a soluble flavoprotein, ferredoxin-NAD(P)⁺ oxidoreductase (FNR):

NAD(P)H + 2Fd_ox ⇄ NAD(P)⁺ + H⁺ + 2Fd_red

Dr Seo used ITC to determine the binding parameters (intrinsic affinities and enthalpies, as well as cooperativity constants and heterotropic enthalpies) for the interaction of FNR with NADP+ and Fd, in relation to the mechanism that determines the directionality of FNR action.

The MOSBRI pipelines are an integrated access to a synergistic set of biophysical instruments and technologies. This will allow the TNA user to fully exploit the overarching expertise of the TNA site to tackle advanced questions.

Our pipelines allow you to study your samples in many ways, including protein sample optimization, monodispersity and stability, protein characterization and architecture, and multi-technique interaction studies. The MOSBRI pipelines also include studies of more specific biological systems like membrane proteins and amyloids. Furthermore, we aim to develop new pipelines based on the needs and experience we gain from our TNA users.