Research / Scientific departments / Structural Biology and Chemistry / Units and Groups / Biophysics of Macromolecules and their interactions
Biophysics of Macromolecules and their Interactions
The Centre of Biophysics of Macromolecules and their Interactions (french acronym: PFBMI), created in 2002, federates an ensemble of state-of-the-art instrumentation for the in vitro molecular-scale characterization of biological macromolecules, together with well-established technical and methodological expertise. This core facility, which is unique in France, provides a scientific environment conducive to world-class research in the field of macromolecular science.The PFBMI is primordially adapted to the needs of the research teams of the Institut Pasteur, and it is thus shaped to provide an added value to a great variety of biological projects, rather than prioritizing fundamental physico-chemical issues. This involves the determination of the intrinsic properties of the molecules and their assembly (stœchiometry, stability, folding, …) as well as their interactions (thermodynamic and kinetic parameters, as example).
SOME OF THE BIOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES THAT CAN BE ACCESSED, AND RELEVANT TECHNOLOGIES
* Size and shape of macromolecules
* Stoichiometry and assembly of macromolecules
* Secondary and tertiary structures of macromolecules
* Thermodynamical stability of macromolecules
* Kinetic and thermodynamical properties of interactions
TECHNOLOGIES AVAILABLE AT THE PFBMI
* Analytical Ultracentrifugation
* Circular dichroism
* Dynamic light scattering (DLS)
* Fluorescence spectroscopy
* Infrared spectroscopy
* Microcalorimetry (DSC and ITC)
* Static light scattering and viscosimetry
* Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)
The PFBMI can advise you or direct you on your choices and give you information on:
* Experiment requirements and constraints
SOME OF THE BIOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES THAT CAN BE ACCESSED, AND RELEVANT TECHNOLOGIES
* Size and shape of macromolecules
* Stoichiometry and assembly of macromolecules
* Secondary and tertiary structures of macromolecules
* Thermodynamical stability of macromolecules
* Kinetic and thermodynamical properties of interactions
TECHNOLOGIES AVAILABLE AT THE PFBMI
* Analytical Ultracentrifugation
* Circular dichroism
* Dynamic light scattering (DLS)
* Fluorescence spectroscopy
* Infrared spectroscopy
* Microcalorimetry (DSC and ITC)
* Static light scattering and viscosimetry
* Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)
The PFBMI can advise you or direct you on your choices and give you information on:
* Experiment requirements and constraints
* Duration of experiments
* Estimations and calculations of physico-chemical parameters
* Methodological links and softwares to be used
MODES OF ACCESS TO THE PFBMI
PFBMI operates according to 3 different schemes
1) service provision: this scheme corresponds to routine experiments performed in standard conditions, without intervention of the person who requests them;
2) instrument allocation after user training: in this scheme, users are trained individually until they acquire an operational autonomy, allowing them to perform and/or analyze their experiments by themselves.
3) scientific collaboration: projects in which the PFBMI is strongly involved over a significant period of time (several weeks to several years). In this case, experiments are designed, performed and analyzed in tandem between the PFBMI personnel and that of the research units involved in the collaboration
ACCESS PROCEDURES
Equipments on the PFBMI are available for the entire scientific community, national and international, but a priority is given at Institut Pasteur and Institut Pasteur International Network.
The PFBMI is performing the analysis as one goes along their reception (biophysique@pasteur.fr). An inital form (upload here) must be joined.
* Methodological links and softwares to be used
MODES OF ACCESS TO THE PFBMI
PFBMI operates according to 3 different schemes
1) service provision: this scheme corresponds to routine experiments performed in standard conditions, without intervention of the person who requests them;
2) instrument allocation after user training: in this scheme, users are trained individually until they acquire an operational autonomy, allowing them to perform and/or analyze their experiments by themselves.
3) scientific collaboration: projects in which the PFBMI is strongly involved over a significant period of time (several weeks to several years). In this case, experiments are designed, performed and analyzed in tandem between the PFBMI personnel and that of the research units involved in the collaboration
ACCESS PROCEDURES
Equipments on the PFBMI are available for the entire scientific community, national and international, but a priority is given at Institut Pasteur and Institut Pasteur International Network.
The PFBMI is performing the analysis as one goes along their reception (biophysique@pasteur.fr). An inital form (upload here) must be joined.