EMU: Acquisition of mass photometry to measure molecular mass using light

• Grant number: 23/17294-9
• Support Opportunities: Research Infrastructure Program - Small Medium Sized
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Molecular Biophysics
• Principal Investigator: Antonio José da Costa Filho
• Grantee: Antonio José da Costa Filho
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Eduardo Festozo Vicente ; Fernando Alves de Melo ; Jose Luiz de Souza Lopes ; Luis Felipe Santos Mendes ; Oswaldo Baffa Filho ; Richard Charles Garratt

Abstract

The most complete and detailed understanding of life-related phenomena ultimately depends on describing the molecular components of the phenomenon of interest. Various experimental methods are available, each with advantages and disadvantages. In many of these, using extrinsic molecular markers is necessary, which constitutes a difficulty per se. In others, very high-cost equipment is required, which makes broad access unfeasible. The proposal now under discussion aims to make available to the scientific community of our country, in general, and the State of São Paulo, in particular, a newly created method that, through moderately priced equipment, allows for the accurate measurement of the mass of molecules without the use of external markers, with high sensitivity and single molecule resolution. This new methodology is Mass Photometry (MP), an innovative method developed over the last decade by Prof. Kukura's group (University of Oxford) and not yet available in any research center in Latin America. The presence of this equipment on the USP campus in Ribeirão Preto represents a strategic opportunity not only for the advancement of local research and innovation but also to strengthen scientific collaboration networks and access to the methodology regionally, nationally, and internationally (see letters of support). In addition to the MP equipment, the EMU proposal also includes a second EMU device, namely a high-speed centrifuge. This is a traditional instrument in sample preparation laboratories and aims to address a need in the Multi-User Sample Preparation Laboratory of the Department of Physics at FFCLRP/USP, thus providing a complete infrastructure to support users of the mass photometer. At this point, it is important to emphasize the relevance of installing a modern physicochemical method in a Physics department, such as that of FFCLRP, with a long tradition and excellence in projects at the intersection of Physics, Biology, and Medicine. Furthermore, Ribeirão Preto occupies a privileged geographical position, facilitating access and integration with other important research centers and universities within and outside the State of São Paulo. With the proximity of institutions such as UNESP (in São José do Rio Preto, Franca, Jaboticabal, and Tupã), as well as USP and UFSCar (in São Carlos), the installation of this equipment will catalyze interinstitutional collaborations, benefiting a broad spectrum of projects (as evidenced in the attached letters and associated projects). Finally, the innovation brought by the proposal currently under discussion has managed to attract attention not only from established research groups in academic institutions but also from the company Blau Farmacêutica (see the letter of support), which foresees promising prospects for the use of the new MP. This adds another degree of innovation and uniqueness to our proposal. (AU)