Structural Genomics – an example of transdisciplinary research at Stanford Goal of structural and functional genomics is to determine and analyze all possible protein structures based on target selection criteria utilizing advanced methodology and technology Joint Center for Structural Genomics Involves scientists from Stanford, UCSD, Scripps, Berkeley, and Salk with collaborators from around the world Is developing advanced methods for automated determination of protein structures using a transdisciplinary approach Is one of 7 centers in the USA funded as pilot center by NIH-NIGMS Is positioned to take on worldwide leadership in structural genomics Transdisciplinary Approach to Life Sciences Development of crystallographic algorithms to automate structure determination (Mathematics/Physics/Structural Biology) Utilization of artificial intelligence to develop rule based systems for optimization of overall process (Computer Sciences) Development of large scale databases for storage of experimental data and development of data mining for analysis (Information Sciences) Development of robotics systems for sample handling under cryogenic conditions (mechanical and electrical engineering) Development of advanced beam line instrumentation for automated data collection (synchrotron research) Target Selection (genetics and proteomics) Target expression and crystallization (biochemistry and molecular biology) Structural and functional analysis (proteomics and bioinformatics) Bio-X Satellite at SSRL – addressing Stanford’s needs in Structural Molecular Biology and home to Stanford’s structural genomics initiative Motivation, Perspectives and Goals Enabling students and postdoctoral fellows to be trained on one of the world’s premier facilities for Structural Molecular Biology in an integrated environment that stimulates and fosters new scientific ideas Intellectual Strength at Stanford outstanding students and postdoctoral fellows outstanding faculty in strong programs in the life, physical and engineering sciences with strong interest in and need for knowledge of biomolecular structure SSRL Advantage in Infrastructure and as a Component of Bio-X SSRL in collaboration with The Scripps Research Institute and UCSD forms the Joint Center for Structural Genomics funded by the NIH-NIGMS SSRL provides world class capabilities easily accessible to departments on campus very strong existing SSRL program in structural biology (3 faculty, 9 scientists, 29 support staff) special expertise in large/complex systems, specialized instrumentation and new methodology Stanford has new beam line (BL11-1) for enabling frontier macromolecular crystallography research Possible Integration within the Framework of Bio-X satellite activity on the SLAC campus located adjacent to synchrotron experimental hall workshop-like atmosphere facilitates interaction among Stanford students/postdoctorals, scientific staff, and a large and growing international user community space for on-site “off-line” x-ray equipment for screening and data collection maintained by trained staff and sharing on-site spares for detectors and computers opportunity for locating and supporting other core activities like parallel compute farms which leverage on expertise at SLAC in managing high performance, high storage capacity systems Opportunities and Challenges in the Post Genome Sequencing Era