20th Annual UltraScan Analytical Ultracentrifugation Workshop 2023

August 21-25, 2023, in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.

Sponsored by:
AUC Solutions and the Canadian Center for Hydrodynamics


Course Contents:

This course will focus on experimental design and analysis of analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) experiments.

The goal of this workshop is to provide participants with a solid background in hydrodynamics, and to provide hands-on training with the UltraScan software. The emphasis will be on problem-solving approaches for studying molecules in the solution phase, and for the participant to gain confidence in designing experiments and using UltraScan to interpret the results.

The workshop will start with a hands-on training session for the Beckman Optima AUC and the older Beckman Proteomelab XLI/A. We will cover the data acquisition software, UltraScan integration with the Optima AUC, the building of cells, and setting up experiments. We will also deal with Optima AUC and ProteomeLab XLA/I instrument issues, such as maintenance, calibration and diagnosis of hardware/software problems, and provide strategies for optimizing the information quality obtainable from the instrument. Next, the workshop will feature an introductory session to bring novices up to speed on hydrodynamic theory and background, and to teach the basics of the software, including editing of the data and the implementation of the UltraScan Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). This will be followed by hands-on data analysis sessions where the participants work either on supplied or their own data. In these sessions we will cover experimental design, analysis of interacting and noninteracting solute systems, model - independent and model-dependent analysis, and result presentation.

Our goal is to provide ample hands-on time for practice and to allow participants to become comfortable with the data analysis and software use, and develop skills for the design of successful experiments and confidence in the interpretation of the results. Participants will gain a solid understanding of the types of questions that can be answered with analytical ultracentrifugation, but they will also learn about the limitations of the technique. The participants will learn how to design an experiment for optimal run conditions using the design modules of UltraScan, and learn how to optimize the run parameters of the instrument. Equally important, participants will learn how to identify hardware issues with the instrument and how to ascertain that the instrument is functioning optimally.

We will provide representative experimental data examples, but the participants are encouraged to also bring data from their own data for analysis. Each participant should bring their own laptop computer to practice the examples and excercises presented in class. Participants will receive intensive computer training with the UltraScan software by the author of the software. You will have the opportunity to practice the software with your own data and have all your questions about data analysis with UltraScan answered by the author. Staff will be available to assist with the installation of the software. All laptop models and operating systems are supported, including Windows, Mac OSX or Linux. The minimum requirements for the laptop are:

LIMS Portal and Supercomputer Access:

For the duration of the workshop all participants will be provided with their own database and web portal account hosted for their institution free of charge at our facility. This database will foster collaboration and provide access to high-performance computing resources through NSF XSEDE, which is supported through NIH grant RO1 RR022200 and NSF grant TGMCB070039. After the workshop, HPC services are only available through a commercial account, but continue to be freely provided to academic/non-profit users.

Instructors:

Dr. Borries Demeler
Professor
University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry
(Course Director)

Amy Henrickson
Research Director
University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry