Advanced Course

"From Data to Structures"

May 29-June 13 2006, Utrecht Nijmegen

The Bijvoet-NSR Research Alliance (BNRA) organizes from May 29th to June 13th 2006 a course dealing with the structure determination of proteins and DNA from nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy data.

The course is given partly in Utrecht and in Nijmegen. The course duration is two weeks. It will be followed by a symposium in honor of Prof. Kaptein on June 14th which the course participants are welcome to attend. Participation is free for members of the groups of the Bijvoet-NSR Research Alliance. The registration fee for participants from other universities amounts to Euro 350.- and for others to Euro 1000.-. The number of participants is limited to 16.

Course contents

The courses consists of lectures and practical sessions. Topics such as data processing and analysis and structure determination and validation of biomolecules will be discussed. The acquired knowledge will be directly applied in the practical sessions. During those, the structure of a small protein based on NMR data will be calculated using state-of-the-art protocols. The effect of the number and quality of the included experimental data on the quality of the generated structures will be investigated. The results will be presented the last day.

Lecturers (provisory list):

Dr. Rolf Boelens, Utrecht University
Dr. Alexandre M.J.J. Bonvin, Utrecht University
Dr. Gert E. Folkers, Utrecht University
Dr. Hans A. Heus University of Nijmegen
Dr. Torsten Herrmann, ETH Zurich
Dr. Marco Tessari, University of Nijmegen
Dr. Gert Vriend, University of Nijmegen (unconfirmed)
Dr. Geerten W. Vuister, University of Nijmegen
Dr. Markus Zweckstetter, MPI Gottingen

Language: English

Prerequisite knowledge:

The course is intended for Ph.D. students and advanced undergraduate students who already have a thorough knowledge of NMR spectroscopy. Experience with NMR structure determination methods is strongly recommended, together with some knowledge of linux for the practical part.

Registration

For registration contact the secretary of the

The registration deadline in April 30. Applicants will receive an acceptance notice as soon as possible.

Course topics

Dr. Rolf Boelens: NMR data processing
Dr. A.M.J.J. Bonvin: Molecular dynamics, force fields, NMR structure calculations, complexes
Dr. Gert E. Folkers: Databases search and mining
Dr. H.A. Heus: Nucleic Acids
Dr. T. Herrmann: Automated NOE assignment & structure calculations
Dr. M. Tessari: Relaxation and dynamics
Dr. G. Vriend: Bioinformatics
Dr. G.W. Vuister: J-coupling and chemical shifts, Structure validation
Dr. M. Zweckstetter: Dipolar couplings and orientational restraints

Tentative Program

Nijmegen May 29-31 / Utrecht June 1-2

	Monday 29	Tuesday 30	Wednesday 31	Thursday 1	Friday 2
10.00-12.30	Heus NMR of DNA/RNA	Tessari Relaxation	Vriend Bioinformatics and structures: practical	Bonvin Molecular Modelling	Herrmann Automated NOE assingment
12.30-13.30	lunch
13.30-17.00	Vuister Structure validation introduction + Practical	Vriend Bioinformatics and structures: introduction	Vuister Chemical shifts and J-couplings	Bonvin NMR structure calculations	Herrmann Practical

Utrecht June 6-9

	Tuesday 6	Wednesday 7	Thursday 8	Friday 9
10.00-12.30	Boelens Processing	Structure calculations practical	Bonvin complexes, docking, HADDOCK	practical: complexes
12.30-13.30	lunch
13.30-17.00	Structure Calculations Practical	Structure Calculations Practical	Bonvin complexes, docking, HADDOCK	practical: complexes

Utrecht June 12-14

	Monday 12	Tuesday 13	Wednesday 14
10.00-12.30	Folkers Practical introduction to databases searches	Zweckstetter RDCs	NMR symposium in honor of Prof. Kaptein
12.30-13.30	lunch
13.30-17.00	Question hour	Zweckstetter RDCs practical

Locations

Utrecht:

Alexandre Bonvin, version March 2006