The structural biology core facilities of the Institute of Biotechnology in BIOCEV centre form a part of the Czech Infrastructure for Integrative Structural Biology, which covers a wide range of topics in cellular and molecular structural biology.
The Czech Infrastructure for Integrative Structural Biology (CIISB) is formed by two Centers of Excellence for Structural Biology constructed within the projects CEITEC – Central European Institute of Technology, Brno and BIOCEV - Biotechnology and Biomedicine Centre, Vestec, Prague-West. The Czech structural biology community is represented by the Czech Society for Structural Biology (CSSB), which is forming a national link to Instruct ERIC. CIISB affiliation with Instruct ERIC contributes to the development of human resources in research, attracts qualified national and international researchers, and enables efficient dissemination of knowledge and expertise, as well as efficient use of the infrastructure.
The core facilities for structural biology in BIOCEV are organized under the Centre of Molecular Structure, run by the Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences.
The Centre of Molecular Structure (CMS) encompasses several laboratories providing a complex approach to studies of three-dimensional structure, function and biophysical properties of biological molecules.
BIOCEV is currently available for remote access, as well as physical visits by national and international scientists. For information on the availability of specific technologies, view the Technology Availability List or contact support@instruct-eric.eu. Please check here regularly for updates.
How to find us
The BIOCEV building is located just outside of Prague. It can be easily reached by car or public transport. You will find detailed information on how to get to BIOCEV here.
It is possible to arrange accommodation for your visit to BIOCEV. For more information please write to admin contact below.
Structural mass spectrometry (MS3D) offers various methodologies for characterisation of protein structure. The Institute of Biotechnology/Centre of Molecular Structure (IBT/CMS) at BIOCEV offers different labelling approaches including hydrogen/deuterium exchange, covalent labelling, chemical cross-linking and limited proteolysis. The facility is equipped with cutting-edge technologies including high-resolution mass spectrometer, HPLC system, H/D system and in-house software for data processing.
The service provided includes data processing and reporting ready for publication. The platform also offers: identification and quantification of proteins, precise determination of protein molecular mass, and characterisation of various post translational modifications.
View All Mass Spectrometry at Instruct
Crystallization of Proteins and Nucleic Acids core facility provides services focused on obtaining crystals of biomacromolecules and their complexes. We support both manual and robotic crystallization drops setting under various conditions. Remote control of crystal growth in the crystallization hotel is provided using the web interface over Internet.
Expertise
The macromolecular crystallisation platform enables in-drop dynamic light scattering measurement to check the quality of the protein sample, robotic setup of 96-well crystallisation plates, incubation at selected temperature from a wide range, and automated monitoring of the crystallisation experiments. Experiments can be stored at 4-30°C (or higher). Dedicated rooms with stereomicroscopes for crystal manipulation are available at 20°C, 10°C and 25°C (or higher).
Techniques are available for the analysis of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of biomolecular interactions and for the biophysical characterisation of the structure, function and stability of biological biological macromolecules like proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and their complexes.
The core facility for protein production provides services covering DNA cloning and DNA plasmid preparation, protein expression in E. coli expression systems and recombinant protein purification. Our services can also include optimization of expression and purification protocols, protein identity and purity testing and determination of protein concentration.
Diffraction techniques core facility provides services for characterization of protein structure using single crystal X-ray diffraction and small-angle X ray scattering for analysis of liquid samples. Both methodes are backer by advanced approaches available in laboratory. The quality of high-intense X-ray beams is ensured by using of MetalJet sources (Excillum). The provided services include assistance with data processing and reporting ready for publication.
