research advances
March 2010 news
Structural Genomics in the Spotlight
PSI-SGKB [doi:10.1038/nw_psisgkb.2010.10]
Helping Alzheimer's research, PSI freebies, events, and more
'Gene Composer' software developed by PSI ATCG3D aids Alzheimer's drug research.
In this month's Structural Genomics Update, the featured article entitled 'Safer Alzheimer's drug design' reports on discoveries that were made possible using Gene Composer a software suite developed by the PSI Accelerated Technologies Center for Gene to 3D structures to aid in the design of DNA sequences for protein expression. The Structural Genomics Knowledgebase asked Lance Stewart, director of ATCG3D and co-author of the paper, for his thoughts on the use of Gene Composer™ to help with a typical experimental obstacle — optimized protein design.
“It is wonderful to see that the patented algorithms of Gene Composer were used to support a breakthrough in understanding how phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) is regulated. The software allowed us to align and visualize comparative PDE4 structural sequence information that guided the efficient design of codon-engineered expression constructs with optimized codon parameters. In this way, Gene Composer was used to engineer all of the PDE4 constructs. Importantly, a goal of the PSI is to disseminate the numerous technologies developed for high-throughput structure determination,” explains Stewart.
The Gene Composer™ software suite is distributed through Emerald BioSystems, Inc. It offers full integration of structural and sequence data in its multiple sequence alignment, generation of oligos for artificial gene construction and full constructs and clone generation features. Gene Composer comes with its own integrated MS Access database and is available with a free 1 year trial license.
Last chance! Register for our free PSI Enabling Technologies Workshop
For the past few years, the PSI has held an annual workshop highlighting the latest methods, technologies, and research findings relating to the protein production and structure determination pipelines. In line with this year's new PSI:Biology project, this popular series continues with this year's workshop, entitled 'Enabling Technologies in Structure and Function'. Session topics include: 'Protein Structure and Function', 'Hybrid Methods', 'Data Mining', and 'Salvage Pathways', providing new and useful strategies against today's laboratory bottlenecks. Not limited to structural biology, these techniques can be used in a multitude of labs that conduct biological and biomedical research. Not sure what to expect? Read last year's meeting report.
The 2½ day workshop will take place on 19–21 April 2010 at the Natcher Conference Center in Bethesda, Maryland, USA. Abstracts are due by Friday, March 19th, and the deadline to register is Monday, April 12th. Please visit the Enabling Technologies meeting website for more details.
PSI:Biology funding opportunities
Want to become part of the PSI:Biology network? PAR grants are available to support development of technologies that will enable high-throughput structural biology and modeling efforts during the next phase of the PSI. See our current list here on About PSI site on the Structural Genomics Knowledgebase and scroll down to the Funding section.
Reminder: PSI mini-symposium at ASBMB/EB 2010 Annual Meeting
Is Anaheim awaiting your arrival too? The PSI is holding a mini-symposium on 25–27 April, 2010 during the Experimental Biology/American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California, USA. This series of sessions spans three days, covering topics such as 'Enabling Technologies', '4000 Structures and More on the Wall: What Have We Learned', and a panel discussion with PSI directors and investigators about the next phase of the PSI project, 'PSI:Biology High- Throughput Enabled Structural Biology Partnerships'. Visit the ASBMB 2010 Meeting website for more details.
Last few Structual Genomics Knowledgebase 2010 calendars available
Still writing 2009 in your lab notebook? The PSI SGKB has 2010 calendars available, so email us Email: comments@psi-structuralgenomics.org your name, affiliation, and mailing address, and we will send this beautiful calendar to you.
Coming to a conference near you
Want to learn more about the Structural Genomics Knowledgebase? Representatives will be available at these upcoming meetings.
Keystone Symposium: Biomolecular Interaction Networks: Function and Disease
7–12 March 2010
Quèbec City, Quèbec, Canada
2010 PSI Workshop: Enabling Technologies in Structure and Function
19–21 April 2010
Bethesda, Maryland, USA
2010 ASBMB/Experimental Biology
24–28 April 2010
Anaheim, California, USA
