INTEGRATED STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK

Description

Large scale research infrastructures in Spain have engaged in a convergent pathway to potentiate Integrative Structural Biology in the South of Europe.

The project established in 2023 has originated in the Barcelona Area to leverage on the physical proximity of complementary large scale facilities and has already expanded to other areas in Spain.

The Integrated Structural Biology Infrastructure network (ISBIN) is currently coordinating 3 NMR nodes, the Alba synchrotron and cryo electron microscope installed in the Alba premises.

Objectives

The main objectives of the Integrated Structural Biology Infrastructure network (ISBIN) are:

  • Alignment of complementary structural biology research infrastructures to promote integrative structural biology in Spain.
  • Promote the establishment of a Hub of Integrative Structural Biology in the South of Europe providing coordinated access to synchrotron beam lines, ultra high field NMR, and cryo-electron microscopy.
  • Promote and facilitate the access of users to the existing national large scale facilities (ICTS).

Singular Scientific and Technical Infrastructures

  • The Unique Science and Technology Infrastructures (ICTS) are singular, public research infrastructures open to competitive access.
  • The Alba sincrotron and the high field NMR facilities of the University of Barcelona are part of the ICTS system since its creation in 2007.
  • The NMR ICTS incorporated the node of Madrid and Bilbao in 2019 and has upgraded its offer with two 1 GHz spectrometers and a Biosolids instrument in 2023.
  • A cryo electron microscope from a consortium lead by the Barcelona Center of Molecular Biology of the Spanish Research Council was installed in the Alba premises in 2022.
  • The current network coordinating the 3 NMR nodes, the sincrotron, and cryo-electron microscopy was established in 2023.