About Us
“Characterizing protein complex structures, their interactions, and how they relate to biological functions is key to identifying, preventing and treating disease. The Native MS Guided Structural Biology Center is driving advancements in innovative scientific instrumentation and computational tools to reveal the complex chemical structures of biomedically relevant molecules. We invite you to explore our website to learn more about how our RM1 funding as a NIH Biomedical Technology Optimization and Dissemination (BTOD) Center provides opportunities for training and collaboration.”
–Vicki Wysocki, Director
The Center was established in 2018 as a Biomedical Technology Research Resource (BTTR) with a 6.8M P41 grant from the NIH National Institute of General Medical Sciences. A 6.52M RM1 grant in 2023 converted the Biomedical Technology Research Resource (BTRR) to a national Biomedical Technology Optimization and Dissemination (BTOD) Center, with the overarching goal of translating an integrated native mass spectrometry (nMS) workflow for characterization of macromolecular protein and nucleoprotein complexes to the biomedical research community. The tools provided for expert and non-expert users will allow them to integrate nMS approaches in synergy with other structural biology tools, taking advantage of nMS from project beginning to end, with dissemination through vendor partnerships and training. The Center works with investigators across the nation and globe on challenging biomedical projects ranging from HIV to anti-coronavirus immunogens and neurological disorders.
Technology
We are optimizing an integrated MS-based workflow for intact, native complexes, with state-of-the-art instrumentation and software that can answer the desired structural biology questions.
Collaboration
Collaboration drives all aspects of the Center. Advancing technologies and their applications for structural biology is fostered by collaborations with industry partners, university core facilities, software consultants, and researchers from across the globe.
Team
A leadership team coordinates all activities of the Center, under the direction of Vicki Wysocki, with Center personnel consisting of PhD scientists, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students from The Ohio State University, Texas A&M, University of Michigan, and West Virginia University.
Resources
Advanced instrumentation, software tools, and protocols allow biomedical investigators to make progress on structural biology problems with lower sample amounts, more rapidly, and with more rigor than currently possible.
Publications
Publications include advances in our technologies, as well as research with our collaborators in Driving Biomedical Projects (DBPs) and Collaboration and Service Projects (CSPs).
Training
Dissemination throughout the broader biomedical research community is fostered with training opportunities to educate potential users in state-of-the-art and cutting-edge technologies that might solve their macromolecular characterization problems.