A Unique constellation of Facilities
At Cornell, biophysics students use the most sophisticated research facilities devoted to X-ray crystallography, optical, laser and magnetic resonance spectroscopy and computation.
The Cornell Theory Center (Center for Theory and Simulation in Science and Engineering) houses a supercomputing facility that has major biophysical applications, including computation of the energetics of protein folding, molecular dynamics simulation of macromolecules and novel uses of computer graphics. One of four national supercomputing facilities supported by the National Science Foundation, the Theory Center includes the largest IBM parallel super-computer in the world. Of special interest is the Parallel Processing Resource for Biomedical Scientists. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, this resource provides both hardware and software support to biophysicists studying problems of medical relevance. A major focus is the prediction and visualization of protein structures and dynamics. The Theory Center's Visual Insight Zone includes a virtual reality facility and a high-end visualization supercomputer.
The Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source or CHESS, produces intense X-ray beams useful for scientific studies ranging from solid-state physics and chemistry to biology. The facility is capable of wide- and small-angle scattering, XAFS (X ray absorption fine structure) and macromolecular crystallography. With X-ray beams compressed to one-thousandth the diameter of a human hair, CHESS can characterize materials at an unprecedented resolution. A national resource built and operated largely with funds from the National Science Foundation, CHESS attracts distinguished visiting scientists from all over the world.
MacCHESS, the Macromolecular Diffraction Facility at the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source, is used by investigators throughout the world for research on novel applications of synchrotron radiation to problems involving physical biochemistry and biomedical research. Its specialties include multiple wavelength anomalous diffraction (MAD), ultrahigh resolution X-ray diffraction and the development of new apparatus and techniques. Crystallographic studies of pathogenic viruses and toxins can be done in the high-level biohazard containment facility. One of MacCHESS's highly successful advancements is the development and utilization of ultrafast and highly sensitive CCD (charge-coupled device) detectors. MacCHESS is funded by the National Institutes of Health.
The The Developmental Resource for Biophysical Imaging Opto-Electronics uses and develops new technology in physical optics, lasers and computation to develop innovative experimental methods in optical microscopy for studying molecular mechanisms in cellular biophysics. One of the Resource's breakthroughs is in the application of two-photon spectroscopy and imaging to biological systems. The facility is supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Energy.
The Center for Advanced Technology in Biotechnology, also known as the Biotechnology Center, is equipped with support facilities for research in biophysics, including automated DNA and peptide synthesis; amino acid analysis and sequencing; computerized protein DNA and RNA sequence analysis; matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectroscopy and fluorescence imaging, confocal microscopy and video microscopy services-plus a fermentation center and a plant cell culture and transformation facility. The center funds research on campus, provides a venue for students and faculty members to interact with representatives of industry and sponsors seminars and workshops of interest to biophysics students.
The Cornell Nanofabrication Facility, a National Science Foundation-supported research center for the fabrication of ultrasmall structures, is a valuable resource for graduate students, faculty members and industrial representatives from across the country who are doing research on electronic devices, thin-film materials and chemical or biochemical sensors. Cornell biophysics-related projects include fabricating chips selectively patterned with neurons, producing devices for DNA separation, constructing a silicon spider spinneret and fabricating artificial hair cells for aural prostheses.
The Keck 3D Stereo Viewing Theater, a research and teaching facility, is an important aid to understanding molecular architecture and studying problems such as protein-ligand interactions for the design of structure-based drugs and other applications. Its powerful computer manipulates the x, y and z atomic coordinates of biomolecules in real time to display data derived from X ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The molecules can be projected in three dimensions for a large audience.
The Biomolecular NMR Center is dedicated to the study of the architecture and internal motions of biological macromolecules (proteins, RNA and DNA). Housed in the Biotechnology Building, the center features a 14.1 tesla (600 MHz) NMR spectrometer fully capable of performing the most challenging, high-resolution NMR experiments. The spectrometer, a Varian Unity INOVA, embodies the latest advances in NMR technology, including four radio frequency channels and pulsed field gradients.