BioCD-2008: Short Course in Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy of Proteins and other Biomolecules

June 23 - 27, 2008

Location:
Brookhaven National Laboratory

Purpose & Scope of Workshop:
To train researchers in the use of circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and closely related approaches for structural and functional characterization of proteins and other biologically important macromolecules. Special emphasis is placed on the enhanced performance in the far- and vacuum ultraviolet spectral regions provided by synchrotron radiation circular dichroism (SRCD) user facilities and on available computational resources for extracting structural parameters from CD data.

Intended Audience
Graduate, postdoctoral and research scientists interested in using ultraviolet CD spectroscopy to study the structure and conformation of proteins and other biopolymers. Attendance will be limited to approximately 12 participants.

Syllabus
Lectures will include principles of CD, conventional and synchrotron radiation based instrumentation and its application to the analysis of the structure of globular proteins, membrane-bound proteins and nucleic acids. Related experimental methods such as, linear dichroism, magnetic circular dichroism, time resolved (stopped flow) CD and synchrotron radiation source infrared spectroscopy and imaging will be discussed. Hands on laboratory sessions will cover sample preparation, calibration and data collection using both conventional table-top and synchrotron-source (SRCD) spectrometers and web resources for analysis of protein structures. Participants are encouraged to bring laptop computers for use in data analysis and may bring their own samples that (subject to NSLS procedures) may be examined if time permits.

Faculty
Bob Janes (School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary College, University of London)
Lisa Miller (National Synchrotron Light Source, Brookhaven National Laboratory)
Alison Rodger (Department of Chemistry, Warwick University)
John Sutherland (Biology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory and Department of Physics, East Carolina University)
Bonnie Wallace (Department of Crystallography, Birkbeck College, University of London)
Lee Whitmore (Department of Crystallography, Birkbeck College, University of London)

Cost
Participants are responsible for travel costs to and from BNL. A registration fee of 400 USD applies to participants requiring dormitory style on-site housing (up to 5 nights) and 235 USD for those who do not require housing. Lunch and two coffee breaks each day are included with both these registration packages. A special registration fee of 150 USD that does not include food services is available only to participants who are BNL employees.

Acknowledgements
BioCD-2008 is supported by the Office of Science, United States Department of Energy.

Application Deadline
May 15