CSB Facilities

The Center for Structural Biology (CSB) operates facilities that provide for biomacromolecular structure determination, modeling, and analysis. Please download our brochure or visit the links below to learn more.

Protein Characterization

The CSB provides expression vectors and technical expertise to assist researchers with large-scale production of recombinant proteins in E. coli. Our Biophysical Characterization Core supports circular dichroism, fluorescence and microcalorimetry instruments for measuring macromolecular conformation, stability, and binding interactions. Access and on-on-one training are available to any intersted Vanderbilt researcher.

Macromolecular Crystallography

The crystallography facility operates three diffraction systems in two locations on campus as well as facilities for crystallization and crystal screening. Software needed for data analysis and structure determination is maintained on all CSB-suppported computers. Training in all phases of crystallographic structure determination is available through individual consultations. In addition to modern in-house facilities, Vanderbilt has extensive access to synchrotron resources through membership in the Southeastern Regional Collaborative Access Team, SER-CAT, in the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory.

Biomolecular NMR

The Biomolecular NMR Center provides instrumentation and assistance in obtaining data on the structure and dynamics of biological macromolecules. The Facility offers state-of-the-art instrumentation including two 500 MHz, two 600 MHz and one 800 MHz Avance spectrometers. All instruments are equipped with four channels. Three cryo-probes, one at each field (500, 600, 800) drastically enhance the sensitivity of these spectrometers. Avariety of training opportunities are offered as well as assistance with software and experimental design.

Computational Structural Biology

The CSB Research Computing core provides outreach and training in multiple Computational Structural Biology techniques, maintains state-of-the-art high-performance and throughput computing facilities, and offers end-user UNIX system administration and support services. Our open-access molecular graphics laboratory housed in 5136 MRBIII is equipped with several workstations that have access to over 80 molecular modelling, visualization, and analysis software applications. Training is offered in the form of workshops and one-on-one consultations.

Cryo Electron Microscopy

The cryo EM facility specializes in visualizing biological complexes such as viruses, small organelles, and macromolecular biological complexes of 200 kDa or larger preserved in non-crystaline ice. The near native imaging conditions allows three dimensional reconstruction of the cellular machinary. Using state of the art computer controlled, automated microscopes, image reconstruction software, and visualization tools, sub-nanometer resolution structures of large biological complexes can be achieved.