The Macromolecular Structure Group is located in the University of Florida's Brain Institute. |
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- View of the lab
The lab has 1600 square feet of space. It consists of a general wet-lab area - with benches, a cold
room, a Beckman centrifuge, a Beckman ultracentrifuge, two microfuges, spectrophotometer, two
microscopes, two chemical hoods, freezer, fridge, water bath, PhastGel system, and a conferencing
table. The lab. also contains a core computing/graphics room, two offices, a crystallization room, and a
solution making room.
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- X-ray machine
The in-house X-ray diffraction data collection facility (Rigaku generator, R-AXIS IV++ imaging plate
system, osmic mirrors and an Oxford Cryosystems Cryostream).
www.msc.com
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- Generator
The RU-300 provides up to 18 kW (60 kV,300 mA) of power output. Maximum power density of 12 kW/mm2 is
available for a 0.1 X 1 mm focal spot size.
MSC Generators
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- Image Plate
The R-AXIS IV++ is the latest imaging plate (IP) area detector from Rigaku, the global leader in IP
technology for X-ray diffraction. Starting with the proven design of the R-AXIS IV, Rigaku has improved
the experimental capabilities of the instrument by enhancing a number of key components including a new
imaging plate, a higher powered laser, an improved controller, and a greater flexibility in image
format.
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- Osmics
Osmic Inc, a Rigaku Company, produces a multilayer optic called the Confocal Maxfluxä optic. In this
optic product, two graded multilayer optics are glued together in a perpendicular orientation. The
advantage of this configuration is that both optics are the same distance from the X-ray source and
thus capture a larger view of the source resulting in a higher flux beam.
MSC Osmics
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- Oxford Cryo-system
Nitrogen Gas Low Temperature Cryostat for X-ray Crystallography
Oxford Cryosystems
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- Silicon Graphics Workstations
There is a well established core computing/graphics room within the laboratory space housing 3 Silicon
Graphics Octane workstations, 2 O2 workstations and 3 Indy workstations. The primary use of these computers
is structure
determination calculations, structure refinement and molecular graphics modeling. There are also 5 PC
computers and a MacIntosh Powerbook. All the computers have the appropriate software packages required
for structural biology and internet access to various databases.
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- Protein Purification System
Pharmacia Akta FPLC.
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- Crystallisation Room
This is where we grow our crystals for structural studies. Note the back wall showing our "crystal wall of fame".
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- Electron Microscope Facility
The Joel JEM-100CX II electron microscope is used for the routine checking of negativity stain virus preps prior to cryo-freezing or crystallization.
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- Cryo Plunger
The plunger is used to flash freeze samples for cryo-Electron Microscopy structural studies.
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- Tissue Culture Facilities
This 400 square feet of space is a dedicated share facility for virus propagation. It has 4 virus hoods, 3 water-cooled CO2 incubators, an upright cooler, 2 centrifugation units, and a refrigerator. The facility also has a small adjoining room with a light microscope.
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- Spectrophotometer
Beckman DU 530
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- Water Purification System
U.S. Filter
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