Structural Genomics - A New Discipline in Biomedical Research

If you have an interest in protein structures, protein analysis or anything else you can think of involving proteins, then listed below is the site for you.  This biochemistry web site is easily navigated.  As part of the Protein Structure Initiate (PSI), it also makes available a detailed list of Structural Genomic Research Centers' (SG Sites) web links available to investigate.  I present to you,  for your enjoyment and research needs:

Midwest Center for Structural Genomics (MCSG)

"The MCSG is a component of the NIH-funded Protein Structure Initiative. Based at Argonne, the MCSG uses beamlines at the Advanced Photon Source (APS), the premier hard X-ray research facility in the United States. The APS is supported by the Office of Basic Energy Sciences within the DOE Office of Science (SC). The beamlines used by the MCSG are supported by NIH and SC’s Office of Biological and Environmental Research."  (press release July 17, 2009)

 
Protein Structure Initiative (PSI)
"Enabling High-Throughput Stuctural Biology and Structural Genomics"The Protein Structure Initiative (PSI) is a federal, university and industry effort aimed at dramatically reducing the costs and lessening the time it takes to determine a three-dimensional protein structure."

 

Keeping the world informed and alerted on "advances in structural biology and structural genomics."  The Structural Genomics Knowledgebase is a great resource to investigate "how protein sequences, three-dimensional structures and models relate to biological function."   Allowing for the busy student to "stay up to date with the latest protocols, materials and technologies".

 

PSI Presents:  The Structures of Life

• Preface: Why Structure?
• Chapter 1: Proteins are the Body's Worker Molecules
• Chapter 2: X-ray Crystallography: Art Marries Science
• Chapter 3: The World of NMR: Magnets, Radio Waves, and Detective Work
• Chapter 4: Structure-based Drug Design: From the Computer to the Clinic
• Chapter 5: Beyond Drug Design

One of the most interesting pieces of information found on this biochemistry website is that MCSG Technologies are available for use by the general public.  The MCSG consortium is "organized around seven highly integrated core-technology units."

1. Target Selection
2. Gene Cloning and Protein Expression
3. Protein Production
4. Crystal Production
5. Structure Determination and Refinement
6. Model Validation and Fold Function Analysis
7. Dissemination of Data

      Breaking News in Structural Genomics      

1129 solved 3D Structures (1175 PDB deposits)
893 unique structures 28 new folds 

  

Works Cited

Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science. (2010). Argonne National Laboratory Newsroom. Retrieved February 26, 2010, from Argonne's Midwest Center for Structural Genomics: http://www.anl.gov/Media_Center/News/2009/news090727.html

Goodsell, D. S. (2010, March). PSI-Nature Structural Genomics Knowledgebase. Retrieved February 26, 2010, from CBS Domain Protein TA0289 (ISSN 1758-1338): http://kb.psi-structuralgenomics.org/KB/archives.jsp?pageshow=11

 
National Institute of General Medical Sciences.  (2010, February)  Protein Structure Initiative. Retrieved February 26, 2010, from One of the National Institute of Health  NIGMS Web site : http://kb.psi-structuralgenomics.org/KB/

National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.  (Revised 2007).   The Structures of Life:  Preface:  Why Structure?  National Institute of General Medical Sciences.  Retrieved March 11, 2010, from
http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/structlife/preface.html

W. Minor Lab. (2010). Midwest Center for Structural Genomics. Retrieved February 26, 2010, from MCSG is supported by the NIH as part of the Protein Structure Initiative:  http://www.mcsg.anl.gov/