Welcome to the Structural Biology NMR group home page!
News!
A tool for the automated prediction of methyl assignments in macromolecular structures MAP-XS is now live (see our paper: Xu, Yingqi et al. in J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009). MAP-XS can be accessed from here.
What we do
Structural Biology NMR at Imperial College London comprises the research groups of 4 PIs. The research groups of Prof Steve Matthews, Dr Ernesto Cota-Segura, Dr Alfonso De Simone and Dr Rivka Isaacson are involved in the study of biomolecular structure and function (Structural Biology) using a wide range of techniques. We have particular expertise in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography, plus a range of other biophysical techniques available locally. We are based in the Division of Molecular Biosciences at Imperial College's South Kensington campus, London. Please see the above links to find out about the specific research interests of Steve, Ernesto, Alfonso and Rivka.
Who we are
We are a friendly bunch of (currently around 25) Post-docs, PhDs, MRes and other visiting students headed by two group leaders, Steve Matthews and Ernesto Cota, and an MRC fellow - Rivka Isaacson. The picture above is some of us about to set off for a (rainy) hike on the 2008 group retreat to the Lake District.
Lab facilities
Our labs are geared towards the production of protein samples for structural biology, from DNA cloning through to acquisition of structural data and structure determination and analysis. Photos coming soon!
Sample Prep
We have a large wet lab based on the 5th floor of the Biochemistry building equipped with everything required for molecular biology, protein expression and sample production. This includes cold room, shaker-incubators, Akta FPLC systems etc.
NMR Analysis
Most of our NMR is carried out in house with Bruker AvanceIII 600 MHz and AvanceII 800 MHz spectrometers equipped with TXI/TCI cryoprobes, housed in the Cross-faculty NMR (CFNMR) centre. The centre has a wet lab for local sample manipulation.
Office and Computing
Office space and a computer room are located next door to the wet lab on the 5th floor of Biochemistry. The group has a large number of Linux computers and PCs, some of which are located in the CFNMR centre.
Other Equipment and Facilities
Through the Division of Molecular Biosciences and Centre for Structural Biology there are also facilities for all areas of structural biology and biophysical measurements, including in-house X-ray generators and crystallisation robots, ITC, CD, dynamic light scattering, etc.
Getting in touch
Contact details for Professor Steve Matthews, Dr Ernesto Cota, Dr Alfonso De Simone and Dr Rivka Isaacson can be found by following the links. If you're trying to get in touch with a particular lab member, please see the meet the lab page.
