September 2024 - phenixbb - phenix-online.org

Research Specialist Position at the University of Illinois to Study Ribosome Structure | POLIKANOV Lab
by Yury Polikanov 21 Apr '25

21 Apr '25

*Research Specialist Position Available, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago - Polikanov Lab* *The Polikanov Laboratory in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago (IL, USA) is looking for a talented, skillful, and highly motivated researcher to fill the Research Specialist position to study the structure and function of the bacterial ribosome.* For fullest consideration, please submit an application and cover letter describing your scientific interests and how your previous research accomplishments and scientific interests fit with the scope of the research in the Polikanov research group at https://uic.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/7573?c=uic *Position Summary:* The research in the Polikanov Laboratory at UIC is focused on understanding the basic principles of protein synthesis in bacteria, the modes of action of ribosome-targeting antibiotics, and the mechanisms of drug resistance at a structural level. This position is involved in the determination of high-resolution structures of ribosome functional complexes with various protein translation factors, tRNAs, and antibiotics using macromolecular X-ray crystallography and potentially cryo-EM techniques. Expected contributes to the design and delivery of research projects and collaborates with researchers to develop, execute, and interpret research projects. Performs complex laboratory and data collection techniques. *Duties & Responsibilities:* - Perform research relevant to the assigned projects; - Isolate, purify, and crystallize bacterial ribosomes; - Purify all additional components necessary for the crystallization experiments, such as recombinant proteins, tRNAs; - Collect X-ray diffraction data from the ribosome crystals at the APS and NSLS-II Synchrotrons; - Perform structural data analysis; - Coordinate, analyze, and document results for publication; - Directly participate in writing papers and grants based on the experimental data; - Train undergraduate and graduate students in research methods, use of equipment, record keeping, and laboratory database entry; - Attend weekly group meetings and journal club seminars. - Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned. *Minimum Qualifications:* - A bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, or a related field is required. - A master’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, or a related field is preferred. - A minimum of 3 years related research experience. - Possesses and applies comprehensive knowledge of research principles, concepts, practices, and methods. - Proficient in standard molecular biology and biochemistry lab techniques, such as protein expression, and purification *Preferred Qualifications:* - Experience in structural biology (cryo-EM or X-ray crystallography); - Experience in RNA biology, ribosome, and/or protein synthesis fields. *About the University of Illinois Chicago:* UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has nearly 260,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago. *The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters <https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/cms/one.aspx?portalId=4292&pageId=5705> to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify. **The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation <https://jobs.uic.edu/request-and-accomodation/>*

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RapiData at SSRL 2024
by Smith, Clyde 09 Jan '25

09 Jan '25

Hi everyone, Applications are now open for the 2024 edition of RapiData at SSRL. RapiData is a practical course in macromolecular X-ray diffraction data collection, data processing and structure solution. The aim of the RapiData course is to educate and train young scientists in data collection and processing methods at synchrotron beamlines, using state-of-the-art software and instrumentation. The course will be held at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) located on the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory campus in Menlo Park, CA, from April 29 to May 4, 2024. The course will comprise hands-on experiments at the SSRL beamlines, software tutorials, and lectures on the following topics: Specimen preparation, Data collection strategies, X-ray light sources, X-ray detectors, Data reduction, Structure solution by MAD, SAD and Molecular Replacement, Complementary methods (spectroscopy and small angle scattering) Please visit http://smb.slac.stanford.edu/news/rapidata/rapidata-2024/ and use the links on the "Application and Registration" page to apply for the course. The application deadline is January 31, 2024. Successful applicants will be notified early in February 2024 and invited to register and book accommodation at SLAC Stanford Guesthouse at that time. A limited amount of support funding may be available. Please direct questions to Silvia Russi (srussi(a)slac.stanford.edu) or Clyde Smith (csmith(a)slac.stanford.edu).

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Re: [phenixbb] red blobs (Andrea Smith)
by Kay Diederichs 31 Oct '24

31 Oct '24

Hi Andrea, in your case, phenix.refine seems to fill bulk solvent into volumes that are not actually filled by solvent. It might help to optimize the mask, see https://phenix-online.org/documentation/reference/refinement.html#bulk-solv… "6. Mask parameters". Best, Kay -- Kay Diederichs http://strucbio.biologie.uni-konstanz.de email: Kay.Diederichs(a)uni-konstanz.de Tel +49 7531 88 4049 Fachbereich Biologie, Universität Konstanz, Box M647, D-78457 Konstanz This e-mail is digitally signed. If your e-mail client does not have the necessary capabilities, just ignore the attached signature "smime.p7s".

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ResolveCryoEM inputs
by Josh Cofsky 17 Sep '24

17 Sep '24

Hi, I'm attempting to run ResolveCryoEM, and I have a few questions about setting the job up correctly. My half-maps were reconstructed with C4 symmetry to ~2 Å (CryoSPARC), and my model was refined into the density with the "Ncs constraints" box checked (Phenix RSR). My sample is a protein-DNA complex (4 copies of a protein protomer, 4 copies of a ssDNA protomer). I'm running Phenix 1.21.1-5286-000 (the latest installation provided by SBGrid). In the first version of the run, I only supplied the two half-map files and a seq file. Question 1: My current seq.dat file looks like this (as mentioned previously in the forum, I was getting errors when I tried the version where my seq.dat file has only 1 protomer and I set the number of copies to 4 in the GUI field "Copies of sequence file in map"): >protein_protomer1 MGSRSG... >protein_protomer2 MGSRSG... >protein_protomer3 MGSRSG... >protein_protomer4 MGSRSG... >DNA_protomer1 AAAAAA >DNA_protomer2 AAAAAA >DNA_protomer3 AAAAAA >DNA_protomer4 AAAAAA Currently, Phenix is reading in the "AAAAAA" as a protein chain ("Chain types considered: PROTEIN"). How do I tell Phenix that those are deoxyadenosines, not alanines? Question 2: Is Phenix automatically detecting the C4 symmetry and density-modifying with that constraint? The resulting map looks symmetric in the noise, but I don't see anything in the log suggesting that it knows the symmetry. Here are some settings from the log that seem relevant (all left to default values): refine_symmetry_in_denmod = True use_symmetry_in_denmod = False symmetry_in_denmod_last_cycle_only = True fraction_ncs = None I attempted to supply a symmetry file (the output of a MapSymmetry job on the full map = "symmetry_from_map.ncs_spec"), but the file fails to load into the input ("Phenix error: Phenix did not recognize the file type for ****/symmetry_from_map.ncs_spec"). Question 3: A part of my protein is disordered and does not appear in the cryo-EM density (and was thus left unmodeled). Is it correct to leave that piece out of the seq.dat file? Question 4: If I include a model in the input, Phenix demands a symmetry file, but I couldn't get my symmetry file to load as explained above. What is the symmetry file supposed to look like? Thank you! -Josh

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Ordered solvent in phenix.refine
by Oliver H. Weiergräber 11 Sep '24

11 Sep '24

Hello, after switching from version 1.20 to 1.21, I noticed that the updated list of waters generated by the ordered_solvent option in phenix.refine is no longer numbered sequentially; it seems a final re-numbering step is now skipped. Is this intentional? Of course it can be advantageous to keep waters from changing their numbers, e.g. if they are part of occupancy groups. On a related note, is there a mechanism to protect certain "important" waters from being deleted while all the rest is updated as usual? One obvious option would be a dedicated chain ID, but afaik phenix.refine accepts a chain ID for output but not for input waters ... Best regards, Oliver ================================================== Prof. Oliver H. Weiergräber Institute of Biological Information Processing IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry Forschungszentrum Jülich 52425 Jülich, Germany Tel.: +49 2461 61-2028 Fax: +49 2461 61-9540 ==================================================

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Phenix version 1.21.2 released
by Paul Adams 05 Sep '24

05 Sep '24

The Phenix developers are pleased to announce that version 1.21.2 of Phenix is now available (build 1.21.2-5419). Binary installers for Linux, Mac OSX, and Windows (under Windows Subsystem for Linux), and the source installer, are available at the download site: http://phenix-online.org/download Highlights for this bug fix 1.21.2 version of Phenix include: - Fix issue where X-ray data parameters (e.g. resolution) are not used - Fix issue where non-default map coefficient parameters cause map names to be numbered - Fix issue where phenix.refine parameter diff could not be saved - Differences in DataManager PHIL are now included when using getting non-default parameters - Additional filtering is applied to Miller array selections to avoid ambiguity - The const_shrink_donor_acceptor default has been changed from 0.6 to 0.0 Please note that this publication should be used to cite the use of Phenix: Macromolecular structure determination using X-rays, neutrons and electrons: recent developments in Phenix. Liebschner D, Afonine PV, Baker ML, Bunkóczi G, Chen VB, Croll TI, Hintze B, Hung LW, Jain S, McCoy AJ, Moriarty NW, Oeffner RD, Poon BK, Prisant MG, Read RJ, Richardson JS, Richardson DC, Sammito MD, Sobolev OV, Stockwell DH, Terwilliger TC, Urzhumtsev AG, Videau LL, Williams CJ, Adams PD: Acta Cryst. (2019). D75, 861-877. https://doi.org/10.1107/S2059798319011471 Full documentation is available here: http://www.phenix-online.org/documentation There is a Phenix bulletin board: http://www.phenix-online.org/mailman/listinfo/phenixbb Please consult the installer README file or online documentation for installation instructions. Direct questions and problem reports to the bulletin board or: help(a)phenix-online.org and bugs(a)phenix-online.org Commercial users interested in obtaining access to Phenix should visit the Phenix website for information about the Phenix Industrial Consortium. The development of Phenix has been funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIH) under grant P01-GM063210. The maintenance and distribution of Phenix is currently funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIH) under grant R24-GM141254. We also acknowledge the generous support of the members of the Phenix Industrial Consortium. -- Paul Adams (he/him/his) Associate Laboratory Director for Biosciences, LBL (https://biosciences.lbl.gov) Principal Investigator, Computational Crystallography Initiative, LBL (http://cci.lbl.gov) Vice President for Technology, the Joint BioEnergy Institute (http://www.jbei.org) Principal Investigator, ALS-ENABLE, Advanced Light Source (http://als-enable.lbl.gov) Laboratory Research Manager, ENIGMA Science Focus Area (http://enigma.lbl.gov) Adjunct Professor, Department of Bioengineering, UC Berkeley (http://bioeng.berkeley.edu) Member of the Graduate Group in Comparative Biochemistry, UC Berkeley (http://compbiochem.berkeley.edu) Building 91, Room 410 Building 978, Room 4126 Tel: 1-510-486-4225 http://cci.lbl.gov/paul ORCID: 0000-0001-9333-8219 Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory 1 Cyclotron Road BLDG 91R0183 Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. Executive Assistant: Michael Espinosa [ MEEspinosa(a)lbl.gov ][ 1-510-333-6788 ] Phenix Consortium: Ashley Dawn [ AshleyDawn(a)lbl.gov ][ 1-510-486-5455 ] --

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