Instrumentation

CMB group leaders have led several successful ARC major equipment (LIEF, RIEF etc.) and UQ internal research infrastructure (RIBG) bids to purchase major equipment that is vital for our research. This equipment is summarised below.

Small Molecule X-ray Crystallography (Paul Bernhardt):

An Oxford Diffraction Gemini S Ultra Single Crystal CCD Diffractometer (with a dual Mo / ultra-brilliance Cu radiation source) is available for 3-dimensional structure determination of small and intermediate molecular weight compounds. Two Enraf Nonius CAD4 diffractometers (with point detectors) are also available. An Oxford Cryostream low temperature unit is also used for low temperature structure determinations (to 80 K).

Macromolecular X-ray Crystallography (Luke Guddat)

Members of the CMB have acces to the following X-ray and crystallization facilities:
1. Fr-E X-ray generator  with Cu Kalpha radiation, 2 Raxis4++ imaging plate detectors + Cryocooling
2. RU200 X-ray generator with Cr Kalhpa radiation, 1 Raxis2++ imaging plate detector + Cryocooling
Crystallization - 1. Mosquito, 1. Topaz

Synchrotron data collection facilities at the Advanced Photon Source, Chicago USA can be accessed via ANSTO funding.
From 2007, the Australian Synchrotron, Melbourne, Australia is expected to offer protein Xray data collection facilities.

Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) Spectroscopy (Mark Riley):

EXAFS measurements are currently undertaken using synchrotron radiation at the Australian National Beamline Facility (ANBF) in Tskuba, Japan. Here there are sensitive ion chamber and solid state germanium detectors to acquire EXAFS in transmission or fluorescence excitation modes at sample temperatures between 15 – 300K.

back to top

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Spectroscopy (Graeme Hanson):

The CMB boasts a world-class facility in EPR and END(T)OR spectroscopy housed in the UQ Centre for Magnetic Resonance. It contains multi-frequency CW and pulsed EPR spectrometers that are used for EPR investigations of small molecules and proteins at all temperatures from liquid He to room temperature.

Magnetic Circular Dichrosim (MCD) Spectroscopy (Mark Riley):

Our MCD spectrometer was built in collaboration with Lastek Pty Ltd. and is based on a high through-put / high resolution Jobin Yvon 750s monochromator and an Oxford Instruments SpectroMag superconducting magnet. A number of different light sources, detectors and gratings makes the instrument very versatile, with a wavelength range of 220 – 3000 nm.  The spectra can be measured between 1.6 – 300 K in magnetic fields of +/- 7.0 Tesla.

back to top

Electrochemistry (Paul Bernhardt):

State of the art electrochemistry equipment (Bioanalytical Systems) is available for both protein and small molecule electrochemistry (voltammetry). A Belle Technology anaerobic box is used for all work requiring an inert atmosphere. As a complement to our electrochemistry studies, we routinely perform optical and EPR redox potentiometry (in an anaerobic environment) on redox active protein samples.

Potentiometric (pH) Autotitrator (Paul Bernhardt):

A Metrohm 796 Titroprocessor is available for routine determinations of protonation and complex formation equilibrium constants.

back to top

Rapid Kinetics (Gary Schenk):

An Applied Photophysics SX18 Stopped flow spectrometer enables the measurement and analysis of rapid chemical reactions (on the millisecond timescale). A freeze quench attachment is also available as an accessory to this instrument.