L-19 / L-20 - Supramolecular structure / Structure of macromolecular complexes

Life Sciences : Supramolecular structure

Single-Particle Cryo Electron Microscopy ("cryo-EM") has become a mainstream method for revealing the three-dimensional structure of Biological Complexes. The first structures of icosahedral virus capsids at a resolution level of 4Å and better have been published. Much biological information at the 10Å resolution, however, remains to be revealed especially where conformational changes reveal the functioning of the biological machinery. Methodological developments are underway to be able to image biological complexes and their interactions as a sequence of 3D structures at resolution levels of ~3Å. These developments may make "4D cryo-EM" the instrument of choice for studying the structure-function relation of biological complexes. (The interests here may overlap with those of symposia: L-11; L-12; L-15; L-21; I-16). Topics of interest include, but are not limited to the following:

• Structures of biological systems revealed by Single-Particle cryo-EM
• Single-Particle Methodology developments
• Conformational changes in Biological Machines
• Vitreous-ice specimen preparation techniques
• Cryo-negative stain approaches
• Cryo-EM studies of (helical) fiber structures
• 4D cryo-EM

Life Sciences: Structure of macromolecular complexes

The study of macromolecular complexes using the single particle method has seen remarkable growth in the recent past. The growth has been expedited by developments cryo-FEGTEM and software as well the demand for structural information that cannot be obtained from x-ray diffraction studies, such as objects that do not crystallize and insights concerning structural variability. The method is maturing as its usefulness and domain of applicability are clear.

The symposium on macromolecular complexes welcomes papers describing:

• The reconstruction of macromolecular complexes, especially those in which near atomic level insights are obtained in combination with x-ray diffraction studies or modeling;
• Contributions concerning novel software and automation techniques which will assist in the determination of the structures of macromolecular complexes are also welcome.

Chairpersons:

Invited Speakers:
- Niko Grigorieff, Brandeis, USA
- Wah Chiu, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA
- Roland Beckmann - University of Munich – Germany
- Marin van Heel - Biochemistry Buiding Faculty of Life Sciences- United Kingdom