Biochemist's
study gets down to basics: X-ray equipment to study
molecular structure
ODT
7.1.2006
A powerful new million dollar X-ray machine for studying
protein structure at the atomic level will further strengthen
University of Otago research into infectious diseases,
biochemist Prof Kurt Krause says.
Top
Gun - University of Otago biochemistry professor
Kurt Krause holds a new ultra-low temperature
nozzle, a gun-like device which emits liquid nitrogen
and cools protein crytal samples to minus 180
degrees Celsius, preserving them for X-ray analysis. |
• The X-ray generator is the most advanced of
its kind in New Zealand. The machine and associated
equipment arrived from Japan and the United States in
eight heavy crates this week.
The device provides two frequencies of X-ray, a feature
usually available only from multi-million dollar, atom-smashing
synchrotron facilities in the northern hemisphere.
The new machine was "perfect for studying the
structure of atoms", another Otago University biochemist,
Dr Sigurd Wilbanks said.
Prof Krause (49) is an American biochemist and medical
doctor who last month became a professor in the Otago
University biochemistry department.
He was previously an associate professor of biochemistry
at the University of Houston, Texas, where his research
had centred on making drug discoveries to combat infectious
diseases such tuberculosis.
Prof Krause is keen to establish a centre of research
into the molecular details of human disease, including
tuberculosis and pneumonia.
He dreamed the centre would also eventually make a
significant contribution to New Zealand's national efforts
to combat disease hazards such as bird flu.
Knowing the atomic details of proteins was "crucial
in efforts to design new drugs and antibiotics".
Dunedin was a "beautiful place," which had
acted as a magnet for "intelligent, creative people",
he said. "It's nice to join the community and try
and play a role," he said in an interview.
The new equipment is the centrepiece of a "start-up
package" for Prof Krause at Otago.
The equipment's arrival reflected a "vision and
commitment to research excellence at the highest level"
within the university, he said.
Other Otago biochemists working with the new equipment
will include Dr Catherine Day, Dr Wilbanks, and biochemistry
head Associate Prof John Cutfield.
• Prof Krause swung into action in Dunedin earlier
than expected in March last year, when, during an earlier
visit to the city, he was driving along Portobello Rd
and provided medical help, after an elderly man received
minor injuries in a car accident.
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