A statewide group of structural biologists recently formed in order to advance high-tech research among their similar interests.
The Oklahoma Structural Biology Nexus will establish a Robotics Crystallization Core Facility on the University of Oklahoma's Norman campus with the National Science Foundation's recent award of a $360,000 grant for sophisticated robotics equipment.
The idea for the group originated within the OU Research Cabinet, which then facilitated a meeting among structural biologists from the OU Norman and Health Sciences Center campuses and the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.
The group met during a 14-month period to consider mutual interests and, as a result, a common theme emerged: The relatively high-tech field required sophisticated equipment and additional resources that currently were not available in the state.
The group decided Oklahoma's structural biologists needed a formal organization to work together to pursue collaborative efforts, so they began by choosing a name that best reflected the union of principal investigators from its nine participating organizations, which includes OU Norman, OU Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Cameron University, Langston University, University of Central Oklahoma, the Noble Foundation and CoMentis.
Ann West, OU professor of chemistry and biochemistry and the group's first leader, led the proposal-writing effort that resulted in the winning NSF grant for the equipment that will be housed in the new Robotics Crystallization Core Facility on the Norman campus beginning fall 2009. The equipment and facility are available to all structural biologists in the state and others who need access to sophisticated robotics equipment. Experienced OU staff will operate the equipment.
OSBN is already planning to expand the scope of its activities by applying for additional NSF equipment grants and sponsoring its first annual symposium on structural biology in the fall 2010. Information about the OSBN is available at http://chem.ou.edu/osbn or by e-mailing West at awest@ou.edu.
Local news
National Science Foundation awards grant to structural biology group
- Local news
-
-
Bonds awarded at low interest
Norman residents most likely will not notice any property tax increase from bonds awarded to an underwriter by the Norman City Council on Tuesday night, city Finance Director Anthony Francisco said....
-
Police link man to multiple rapes
Cleveland County prosecutors are expected to file as many as 20 felony charges ranging from burglary to first-degree rape and forcible oral sodomy against a former OU student who police say confessed to sexual assaults on Norman college ...
-
Preliminary hearing set for former OU professor
By Joel Pruett On Tuesday, the preliminary hearing for a former University of Oklahoma professor suspected of rape and sexual abuse of and lewd acts with children was set for May 10....
-
School board results
The unofficial results of yesterday night’s election are in, with no close races and no reported complications with new machinery and ballots. Voters largely favored incumbents where applicable. Results are as follows: · Lexington ...
-
Pedestrian in serious condition
A 64-year-old Norman man improved from critical condition to serious condition Tuesday night. He remains in OU Medical Center after being struck Monday while crossing 12th Avenue Northeast, north of Main Street....
-
Pekingese becomes America’s top dog
NEW YORK — This Peke was at his peak. Malachy the Pekingese wobbled off with best in show Tuesday night at the Westminster Kennel Club, becoming America’s dog to the delight of an adoring crowd that called his name....
-
Castiglione speaks at All Saints
Earlier this month, Catholic schools nationwide celebrated Catholic Schools week with various themed activities and fundraisers....
-
NPS to purchase radios
The FCC killed the wideband star, and it’s about to cost Norman Public Schools Schools up to $200,000....
-
Marc Heitz raises nearly $32K for hungry children
Spinning around an ice skating rink, many Norman residents contributed to raising nearly $32,000 to benefit the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma during the past holiday season....
-
City council considers transportation bonds
Tonight at 6:30, the Norman City Council will vote on whether to approve bids on transportion bonds totaling $33 million. If approved, the bond package will go to voters on June 26. The council also will consider whether to commission a ...
- More Local news Headlines
-
Bonds awarded at low interest
