Mass Photometry for the masses: A Refeyn TwoMP Mass Photometer for the Sheffield City Region

Lead Research Organisation: University of Sheffield
Department Name: School of Biosciences

Abstract

This proposal will fund a Refeyn TwoMP Mass Photometer, a transformative technology currently unavailable in Sheffield, hosted in the School of Biosciences (SoB) at the University of Sheffield (UoS) and accessible to researchers across the region.

Mass photometry is a state of the art, single molecule approach for determining the size of molecular assemblies based on light scattering. All biological processes are underpinned by how different biomolecules (e.g proteins, lipids, nucleic acids or carbohydrates) interact with each other. Example applications in Sheffield cover the full BBSRC remit, ranging from the relatively simple to incredibly complex, such as a single protein binding a DNA target sequence or assembly of photoreaction centres for photosynthesis. The common feature of these fundamental biological processes is a change in the size, or mass, of the biomolecules involved. For such a simple concept, observing a change in the mass of a biomolecular assembly can be very technically demanding and time-consuming in the lab.

Mass photometry is universally applicable, as all molecules scatter light, irrespective of their composition. This versatility means the instrument will benefit a vast array of research in Sheffield. To maximise the impact of the Mass Photometer, we will host the equipment in an existing core facility at UoS made available to researchers across faculties and external partners in the Sheffield region.

The proposal has a number of clearly defined objectives:

Provide a transformative technology, currently unavailable locally to Sheffield-based researchers, to prime new avenues for world leading research and revolutionise our research outputs.

Align the technology infrastructure at UoS with evolving research priorities at a national and international level.

Reinforce existing strengths in single molecule bioscience and technology development.

Maximise the efficiency and throughput of existing cryoEM, structural biology and 'omics facilities by providing a rapid and simple method to assess sample heterogeneity and quality, which will integrate seamlessly into current workflows.

Provide training in the latest single molecule biophysical technologies for graduate students on UKRI funded DTP programs, PGT courses and technical staff.

Support closer collaboration between bioscience researchers in the Sheffield region, and aligning technologies for basic research on UoS main campus with translational manufacturing capabilities at the Gene Therapy, Innovation and Manufacturing Centre (GTIMC).

The proposal will bring facilities at Sheffield up to date with the latest technological developments, ensuring that our research infrastructure is aligned with evolving research practices. It will promote equality of opportunity between different regions of the UK, by providing researchers in Sheffield access to technologies available in other leading UK institutions. As the instrument will be housed in an established facility in an accessible location, we will ensure strong management, high environmental sustainability and reach the widest possible range of users.

We believe the proposal offers incredible value for money, an impact reflected in the breadth of research and number of applicants highlighted in this proposal, which will significantly boost the world leading research in the SoB (ranked 4th in REF 2021) and across Faculties at UoS and our project partners.

People

ORCID iD

Daniel Bose (Principal Investigator) orcid http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0276-6486
Matthew Wyles (Co-Investigator)
Jason King (Co-Investigator) orcid http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0596-4506
Matthew Newton (Co-Investigator) orcid http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9453-6791
Melanie Hannah (Co-Investigator)
Chun Guo (Co-Investigator) orcid http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1540-3166
Susan Campbell (Co-Investigator)
Emma Thomson (Co-Investigator) orcid http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0266-7090
Christopher Toseland (Co-Investigator)
Andrew Hitchcock (Co-Investigator) orcid http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6572-434X
Stuart Wilson (Co-Investigator)
Indrajit Lahiri (Co-Investigator)
Hannes Maib (Co-Investigator) orcid http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1714-5746
Christopher Hunter (Co-Investigator)
Elizabeth Smythe (Co-Investigator) orcid http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1430-5898
Stéphane MESNAGE (Co-Investigator)
Timothy Craggs (Co-Investigator)
Mark Dickman (Co-Investigator)
Stephen Brown (Co-Investigator) orcid http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7581-7491
Kathryn Ayscough (Co-Investigator)
Alice Pyne (Co-Investigator) orcid http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2658-8987
Alison Twelvetrees (Co-Investigator) orcid http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1796-1508
Matt Johnson (Co-Investigator)
Guillaume Hautbergue (Co-Investigator) orcid http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1621-261X
Sam Amsbury (Co-Investigator) orcid http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2767-9768
Barbara Ciani (Co-Investigator) orcid http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7223-4154
C Sanders (Co-Investigator) orcid http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6006-4530
David Strutt (Co-Investigator) orcid http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8185-4515
Caroline Evans (Researcher Co-Investigator)
Philip Jackson (Researcher Co-Investigator) orcid http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9671-2472
Toby Gamlen (Researcher Co-Investigator) orcid http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4504-3525

Publications

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