Bio-Deuteration Laboratory at ORNL
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
The Bio-Deuteration Laboratory (BDL) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is dedicated to the production of deuterium labeled biomolecules in support of ORNL’s neutron scattering user facilities. We specialize in the production, purification, and characterization of H/D-labeled biomolecules for small-angle neutron scattering, protein crystallography, neutron reflectometry, and neutron spectroscopy. The ORNL BDL is supported by the Department of Energy (DOE) Biological and Environmental Research funded Center for Structural Molecular Biology (CSMB) and the DOE Basic Energy Sciences Scientific User Facilities.
Deuteration capabilities
- Escherichia coli (cell paste, recombinant protein)
- Pichia pastoris (recombinant protein)
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae RH6829 (cholesterol-d45)
Chemical syntheses of deuterated biomolecules are performed in association with the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, ORNL. Capabilities include:
- Hydrothermal pressure reactor
- Flow reactor
- Muti-step organic synthesis
- Recombinant protein production in insect cells
- Biophysical characterization (light scattering, circular dichroism, analytical ultracentrifugation, UV visible and fluorescence spectrophotometry)
- Protein crystallization for neutron diffraction
Specialities
- Controlled deuterium incorporation in recombinant proteins
- Fed-batch fermentation
- E. coli natural total lipid extracts and isolated E. coli lipid mixtures (PE, PG, CL)
- Isolated PC lipid from an engineered E.coli strain
- Synthetic lipids (ALC-0315), fatty acids, amines/amides, amino acids
- Biopolymers (cellulose and fungal chitosan)
Key molecules
- Deuterated proteins
- Deuterated phospholipids (E. coli)
- Biopolymers (cellulose and chitosan)
- Cholesterol-d45
User access
User program
Yes
Two proposal calls per year (Spring and Fall). The ORNL Bio-Deuteration Laboratory accepts proposals as part of a general user proposal submitted to the biannual SNS/HFIR proposal call.
Access modes
Peer review
Details
Address
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
1 Bethel Valley Rd.
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
USA
Contact
Center for Structural Molecular Biology Director