Structural Biology Core (SBioCore)

The Structural Biology Core provides in vitro experimentation services with a primary focus on protein purification and biophysical and structural characterization. We work with investigators from initial target through to purified protein, biophysical data, and — where the project calls for it — structure determination.
 

What we offer

Projects are built from a menu of established pipelines, with some assay development available on request:

  • Construct design & molecular cloning (cloning outsourced)
  • Protein expression (bacterial, insect, and mammalian)
  • Protein purification
  • Biophysical characterization (e.g., ITC, analytical SEC, DSF, FP, and more)
  • Crystallization & X-ray data collection
  • Structure determination, refinement & PDB deposition for publication
     

How it works

Projects begin with a conversation. You tell us what you're trying to achieve, and we advise on feasibility and the best experimental route. Based on that discussion, we write up a detailed experiment plan in the Core's format and prepare the necessary materials. Once materials are ready, the experiment moves to "on-deck" and is handed to our lab technicians, who carry it out according to the plan.

Execution is scheduled against the overall workload across all projects, so completion timeframes may vary. Throughout, you'll have access to a shared DFCI Dropbox folder where you can track the status of your experiments and retrieve results as they're finalized.

As results come in, we'll set up a regular meeting schedule to review the data, discuss the findings, and plan our next steps — so you're always up to date on where your project stands.

 

Getting started

A few steps to set up your project before work begins — we'll walk through these together at the kickoff meeting:

  • Register in CrossLab (iLab): All laboratories must register in CrossLab (formerly iLab) to initiate service.
  • Budget Cap & Purchase Order: All laboratories must establish an approved rate-of-expenditure cap before any work begins. Non-DFCI laboratories must additionally establish an open or blanket Purchase Order beforehand.
  • Fee Structure: SBioCore charges on a per-experiment basis for the work performed. Because experimental outcomes cannot be guaranteed, charges reflect the effort undertaken rather than the result. Total charges will not exceed the agreed budget cap. 
  • Invoicing: Charges are incurred only after experiments are completed and results are delivered.
  • Confidentiality & Deliverables: All projects are treated as confidential, and results and deliverables belong to the collaborating investigator’s institution or company — SBioCore claims no ownership.
  • Material Transfer Agreement (non-DFCI laboratories only): Transfer of materials to or from external laboratories is covered by a standard DFCI Material Transfer Agreement (MTA). We can initiate this early to avoid delays, as review by your institution may take time.
  • Authorship: Significant intellectual contribution from Core staff merits co-authorship; other contributions are acknowledged. Specifics are discussed on a per-project basis.
  • Project Termination: Principal Investigators may cancel active or planned experiments at any time by sending an email request to the SBioCore Director.

     
Equipment access (self-service)

Trained users within the DFCI Chemical Biology Program can operate selected Core instruments directly — NT8, Formulator, Phoenix, and Nano ITC (TA Instruments). Access requires an initial training session (one-time training fee); the ITC with autosampler additionally carries a per-day usage fee. Contact us to arrange training.