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The SER-CAT Organization

SER-CAT (Southeast Regional Collaborative Access Team) is an organization of mainly southern universities and the NIH intramural research group that built and now maintains a facility for collecting X-ray diffraction data from crystals of biological macromolecules at the Advanced Photon Source (APS), Argonne National Laboratory. The University of Kentucky was one of the founding members of this organization, with an initial investment of $500,000. The APS, a Department of Energy facility, is one of three third generation synchrotron sources in the world, providing radiation with optimal characteristics for a wide variety of applications. Membership in SER-CAT provides guaranteed access to one of the best facilities for collecting macromolecular X-ray diffraction data in the world.

Direct use of the SER-CAT beamlines (and subsequent analysis of the data) requires extensive training in crystallography. Access for groups without crystallography experience is through collaboration with crystallographers on or off campus. Groups that have hired postdoctoral fellows with adequate crystallography experience are also eligible for time. Available time is approximately 144 hours per year for each of two beamlines. The time on the lines is split into three runs per year, with 48 hours per run.

Inquiries regarding use of the SER-CAT facility should be directed to:

David Rodgers, Assistant Professor

Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

david.rodgers@uky.edu

(859) 257-5205

Information about the SER-CAT facility can be found at www.ser-cat.org.