NE-CAT: A Resource for Advanced Macromolecular Crystallography

User Training and Outreach Abstract The two main goals of the user training and outreach component are: (1) provide user training to prepare biomedical researchers to apply NE-CAT technology to their research, and (2) engage in outreach activities to inform the scientific community about the technical capabilities of NE-CAT, promote and enable broader use of NE-CAT technologies, and actively recruit new user research projects to NE-CAT. User training includes online manuals and videos, which are regularly updated, one-on-one, in person training for on-site users, and videoconference-based training for remote users. We also provide enhanced training on all aspects of macromolecular crystallography from sample preparation to structure determination and refinement. We will develop a new system for tracking the training status of each user, enabling support staff to tailor their efforts more effectively. Our training activities extend to the larger user community through annual workshops. We will expand our training by offering a class on practical macromolecular crystallography to both the NE-CAT community and outside groups. NE-CAT maintains a website that is largely targeted to past and present users. We will expand the website to contain more information of interest to potential new users. NE-CAT freely distributes software such as RAPD, NE-CAT’s automated data collection and analysis software, and all hardware designs, many of which have been adopted by other APS beamlines. We will work to broaden our user community through a combination of outreach to new primary investigators and enhanced retention efforts for current primary investigators and postdoctoral scientists.