Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Novosibirsk State University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The 4th School of Young Scientists, "Application of Synchrotron Radiation for Solving Biological Problems," was held at Novosibirsk State University from October 1st to 3rd. Undergraduate and graduate students from 11 Russian cities participated: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Tyumen, Pushchino (Moscow Region), Vladivostok, Krasnoyarsk, and Barnaul. The School program consisted of lectures and practical classes, providing young scientists with the opportunity to gain an understanding of the use of advanced research methods in structural biology, as well as skills in molecular modeling and processing of primary experimental data obtained using synchrotron radiation.
School participants highly appreciated the lectures given by leading scientists who actively use synchrotron radiation in their work. They expressed particular interest in the practical sessions related to molecular modeling and the determination of biopolymer structures using X-ray diffraction analysis.
– We decided to divide practical classes devoted to the method of low -ugly x -ray scattering and radiographic analysis (RSA) at two levels: introductory and in -depth. It turned out that this was the right decision. About 40 participants passed an introductory master class on the RSA, its task was to form a general understanding of the capabilities of the method. To do this, the participants worked with a set of diffraction data obtained from the crystals of the model object almost in ideal conditions of the experiment. The participants who wanted to gain experience with diffraction data that were used to solve real scientific problems came to the second-level master class. Similarly, master classes were built on the use of the method of low-ugly x-ray scattering, where in the second practical lesson, data sets obtained in the Shanghai Center for Synchrotron Radiation were processed. At the next school, we plan to make two-levels and a master class on molecular modeling, as well as add more laboratory work. Separately, I would like to note introductory practical classes on the application of the method of radiofluorescent analysis and computed tomography. The guys successfully reconstructed the data and built a three-dimensional model of the mouse skeleton, ”said the head of the Crystalization Educational Center of the Institute of Chemical Technologies of the NSU, senior teacher of the Department of Solid Body, the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the NSU, Senior Researcher at the Central Committee of the Central Committee of the Central Committee of the Central Committee of the Central Committee forces, Skifov Sergey Arkhipov.
According to the organizers and participants, the third day of the Young Scientists School was particularly eventful. The lecture "Fundamentals of the Interaction of Synchrotron Radiation with Biological Objects" by PhD in Geology and Mathematics Sergey Rashchenko (IGM SB RAS, NSU) examined the interactions of synchrotron radiation with matter and the existing fundamental limitations of experimental methods. A lecture by Doctor of Physics and Mathematics Konstantin Usachev (Federal Research Center of the Kazan Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kazan) on "Crystallography of Macromolecular Complexes" aroused great interest among the school participants. The lecture examined X-ray structural analysis of large objects such as ribosomes and the importance of this research for the development of antibiotics. Examples were given of combining cryo-electron microscopy at the initial level with X-ray structural analysis at a later stage. This topic continued with a presentation by Anna Burtseva (Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow), titled "Cryo-Electron Microscopy in the Study of Macromolecular Structures. A Method of Choice or One of the Elements of Integrative Structural Biology." She discussed the fundamentals of cryo-electron microscopy, discussing real-world examples, including the structure of a phycobilisomes from an ancient cyanobacterium. She also introduced the audience to the latest work by scientists at the Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences.
The excursion to the Department of Solid State Chemistry at the NSU Natural Sciences Department and the laboratories of the NSU Institute of Chemical Technology received numerous positive reviews. Model crystals were prepared for the school participants, and they were given an introduction to crystallization methods. Young scientists also learned about robotic and manual crystallization equipment and the consumables required for this work.
"Next year, we plan to make some changes to the School—run it as a conference-style school and publish a collection of abstracts. The lectures and practical sessions will remain conceptually the same, but we intend to introduce flash talks by young scientists and possibly a poster session. Therefore, it's possible that the School will be four days long, rather than three. I'm confident these changes will attract even more participants, although the trend toward increased participation is already clear. For the convenience of attendees, we're also considering moving it to the summer months, but no decision has been made yet," said Sergey Arkhipov.
Feedback from participants of the IV School of Young Scientists "Application of Synchrotron Radiation for Solving Biological Problems"
Ekaterina Molotkova, a graduate of the Physics Department of Lomonosov Moscow State University:
My research interests include structural biology. I'm interested in the collaboration between high-energy physics and biology. Conceptually, I really like the fusion of fundamental physics and practical biology. Unfortunately, events focused on this topic are quite rare. Therefore, the decision to participate in the Young Scientists' School was an obvious one. I wanted to attend lectures and participate in workshops, and also visit Akademgorodok in Novosibirsk. My impressions of the School were very positive. There were many practical workshops, and now I intend to shift my current work toward structural biology. Therefore, both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, which provide a deeper understanding of the theory behind all these methods, were important to me.
Alexey Ivanov, 4th year student at the Faculty of Natural Sciences at NSU:
I've been following the development of the SKIF project for a long time. I'm interested in various areas of biology, but especially structural biology, as it relates to bioinformatics, which is my area of expertise. I learned about the Young Scientists' School "Application of Synchrotron Radiation for Solving Biological Problems" last year, and I learned about its topic at the School of Systems Biology and the School of Synthetic Biology and Industrial Information. This year, I'm applying to participate in this school. I wanted to learn more about the current state of construction at the SKIF Center for Collective Use, the latest scientific research, and the teams conducting structural biology research in Russia, as well as gain practical skills related to molecular modeling, X-ray fluorescence analysis, molecular docking, and X-ray diffraction data processing.
At Anna Burtseva's lecture, I discovered the process of sample preparation for cryo-electron microscopy, learned how sample preparation works, and what calculations are used to reconstruct the three-dimensional structure. The lecture on X-ray structural analysis was equally interesting. Previously, for me, these were all just names of methods; I knew what they did, but now I have a comprehensive understanding of how they can be applied in integrative approaches and how they complement each other.
The most memorable experience was the master class on small-angle X-ray scattering data processing, where we manually derived the three-dimensional structure of a molecule in solution from two-dimensional data, compared it with X-ray structural analysis data, and saw for ourselves how these methods can be combined. It seems like magic, but it's science.
Natalia Smolyanova, Researcher at the Kurchatov Institute National Research Center, and PhD student at the Institute of Protein Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences:
"The main methods I use in my work are crystallography and X-ray diffraction analysis, as well as the BioSAXS method, but I was very interested in the lecture on cryo-electron microscopy. I wondered whether this method could be used for my sample—cellulase enzymes—which are small enough for this purpose. It was important for me to discuss the feasibility with my colleagues. The X-ray diffraction master class was also helpful, as crystallization of the sample and subsequent data processing is a fairly labor-intensive process. Meeting like-minded people and getting acquainted with the equipment at the Crystallization Educational and Methodological Center of the NSU Institute of Chemical Technology were important and interesting."
Every day of the School brought vivid impressions, positive emotions, invaluable knowledge and useful experience.
Vladimir Andreytsev, Laboratory of Structural Studies of the Translation Apparatus, Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences:
"The School for Young Scientists interested me because of the master classes taught by highly qualified specialists. They emphasize subtle points that are difficult for a young researcher to master on their own. It was important for me to gain a certain amount of knowledge and experience that I could apply in my future research and, eventually, pass on to students who come to our institute."
Everything about this school was useful: both the lectures and the workshops, but the most memorable experience for me was interacting with colleagues. After such meetings, you understand what you should strive for. A very important meeting for me was with Sofia Borisevich, Doctor of Chemical Sciences (SKIF Center for Collective Use, Ufa Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ufa), who gave a lecture on "Joint Application of Experimental Methods and Molecular Modeling Methods for Solving Structural Biology Problems" and a workshop on molecular docking and molecular modeling using X-ray diffraction data. Without this school, I would hardly have had the opportunity to connect with her and attend such a workshop.
Material prepared by: Elena Panfilo, NSU press service
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