Isothermal Titration Calorimeter

Project Summary A group of NIH supported investigators requests funding to purchase an isothermal titration calorimeter (ITC). The instrument will be used to probe the thermodynamics of protein and nucleic acid complexes involved in a number of important biological processes and diseases, including among others: microRNA biogenesis, embryogenesis, bacterial pathogenesis, amyloid formation, Alzheimer's disease, neurobiology, cancer and gene expression. The microcalorimeter will be located in the UCLA Biochemistry Instrumentation Facility where it will be accessible to the entire UCLA research community. This unique technology is a label-free, rapid and reliable means to obtain thermodynamic information about complex formation. The information obtained includes the binding stoichiometry, affinity, enthalpy and entropy. Access to this technology is lacking at UCLA as the campus contains only a single older-generation microcalorimeter that is no longer supported by its manufacturer and increasing inoperable because of its age. The specific instrument we are requesting is an MicroCal PEAQ-ITC produced by Malvern Panalytical Inc. (Westborough, MA). It represents the state-of-the-art in ITC technology and has unparalleled sensitivity. The instrument is also capable of measuring a broad range of interactions with micromolar to nanomolar dissociation constants. Thus, it is well suited to serve the needs of the broad user community at UCLA. An experienced Ph.D.-level staff member with salary support from UCLA will be responsible for operating and maintaining the instrument. UCLA will also provide funds to service the instrument, which combined with an effective recharge system, will ensure that the microcalorimeter is productively used.