Crystallization of Biological Macromolecules, Sept 10-14, 2012
Place: NorStruct, Forskningsparken 3, University of Tromsø
Time: 10-14 September 2012
ECTS: 3 stp (PhD level course)
Teaching: Lectures and practical laboratory excercises
Exam: Written laboratory report
Register for the course to: Vibeke Os
Deadline for registration: August 15th 2012 (maximum number of participants: 12)
Both internal and external students, as well as researchers from industry and academia, are welcome!
Course responsible: Ronny Helland, NorStruct, UiT
Invited lecturers:
Terese Bergfors, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Sweden
Jens Preben Morth, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), Nordic EMBL Partnership, UiO, Norway
Crystallography is still the method of choice for obtaining structural information at atomic resolution of biological macromolecules. However obtaining crystals of the macromolecules is still one of the major bottlenecks in the structure determination process. This course is aimed at students with little or no prior experience in crystallization of biological macromolecules. Lectures will include theoretical aspects of crystallization as well as practical methods, but the course is practical oriented with “hands on” work at the lab.
The course will cover basic theory for crystal formation and growth, and methods for setting up crystallization trials. How to do preliminary studies in order to increase the probability of crystal growth, how to evaluate and optimize results, and how to handle crystals for further treatment (storing, mounting, cryo-protection, etc.) will also be part of the course. In addition, students will be introduced to how crystal structures are solved and to the state of the art “high through-put” crystallomics and the international status for this field of science.
The practical part of the course will give an introduction to basic techniques like vapour diffusion with hanging/sitting drops, screening for the optimal conditions, use of “seeding” techniques, use of kits, as well as the use of robotic equipment for crystallization experiments.
General info
External PhD students (persuing the 3 ECTS) must in addition to registering for the course, also fill in the following application form to be registered as guest students at UiT. (A letter confirming that you are enrolled to a PhD program at your home institution must be added.) The form togehter with the confirmation is sent to Vibeke Os for collective processing. Guest student registration form
Accomodation will be prebooked for external PhD students, travel must be arranged individually.
Postal address:
Vibeke Os
BioStruct, Inst. for kjemi
Forskningsparken 3
Universitetet i Tromsø
9037 Tromsø
Note! BioStruct covers the costs for travel and accommodation for BioStruct students participating in national courses at Norwegian universities other than the student’s home-institution. For more information contact Vibeke Os; biostruct@uit.no / 776 44647. If the number of applicants exceeds the capacity of the course, 75% of the course admissions will be reserved students attending the PhD school, BioStruct.