Analytical and Biophysical Chemistry Research Core

University Of Mississippi, University MS

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Core Summary The Glycoscience Center of Research Excellence (GlyCORE) was established at the University of Mississippi in 2020. The Analytical and Biophysical Chemistry Research Core (ABC Core) was established as a key part of the efforts to develop the research infrastructure necessary to support modern glycoscience research. The ABC Core provides specialized expertise and instrumentation support for a broad array of biomolecular analyses common in glycoscience research. During Phase 1, the ABC Core was established and fully staffed with two experienced glycoscientists. We successfully installed and operated a high-resolution LC-MS system, a UHPLC system with a variety of detectors for glycoscience research including charged aerosol and MALS detectors, an SPR system for biomolecular binding kinetics analysis, and a Luminex multiplex system for quantitative multiplex molecular analyses. During Phase 2, the ABC Core will continue to provide services to support glycoscience research, including various analytical and biophysical techniques to analyze glycoscience systems at the molecular level. The ABC Core will also expand our services, offering a broader array of quantitative proteomics services required by our new group of Research Project Leaders. The ABC Core will continue to work with affiliated resources at the University of Mississippi and at partner institutions to support glycoscience research for our investigators. These include NMR resources at the University of Mississippi, X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM resources at the University of Kansas, and next-gen sequencing resources at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The ABC Core will also increase our workshop offerings, offering two workshops per year on a three-year rotation. Each year, one workshop will be in-person to train attendees on sample preparation and data collection techniques, and one will be virtual to increase participation from regional scientists unable to travel. The ABC Core will also begin in Phase 2 developing our transition to sustainability through a cost-recovery model. Working with University of Mississippi administration and the Center for Research Evaluation, the ABC Core will work to broaden our user base for more sustainable cost recovery. A voucher system will be used to subsidize GlyCORE researchers in order to continue our primary goal of promoting faculty development while initiating our cost recovery model. Through these activities, the ABC Core will continue to provide glycoscience researchers at the University of Mississippi and throughout the Mid-South region with the research infrastructure required to address the most challenging problems in glycoscience.