Introduction

The provision of deuterium labelled proteins or nucleic acids has a critical impact upon neutron applications in high resolution crystallography, solution scattering studies and in the analysis of macromolecular dynamics. A joint EMBL/ILL deuteration laboratory has been established to develop  the tools and expertise needed to produce deuterated materials for neutron scattering experiments. 

We aim to develop more robust and reliable systems for the large scale expression and culture of fully (per)deuterated proteins using common yeast and bacterial expression systems. In addition, we are collaborating on several deuteration projects where the provision of deuterium labelled protein is essential for neutron structure determination at high resolution. Deuterium labelling improves both the quantity and quality of data that can be collected and enhances the visibility and distinction of H/D positions in protein crystal structures (link LADI). 

Access to the deuteration laboratory is available to external users through collaboration with staff of the facility.
 
 

Contact: At EMBL:  myles@embl-grenoble.fr

At ILL:  haertlei@ill.fr

(hotlink D-LAB) The deuteration laboratory forms the principal node of an EU research and technical development grant awarded to EMBL-Grenoble, ILL, the University of Oxford, EMBL-Heidelberg and the Institut de Biologie Structurale  Grenoble to develop protocols and procedures of deuteration both for neutron scattering and NMR studies.