9219043 Frank The understanding of biological function requires a multi- level approach to the study of structure and a mapping of the enormous complexity in an accessible way. To this end, tools must be developed, along with an appropriate computational infrastructure, that are able to visualized, match, an d combine three-dimensional data from different sources (x-ray, electron microscopy (EM) and light microscopy (LM)). Current computational tools are unable to realized opportunities clearly opened up by current computer technology. This award will support the multidisciplinary group of investigators to upgrade the computational environment in such a way that (i) it is suitable for the interpretation of 3D data from various experimental sources; (ii) it facilitates correlative 3D studies; and (ii) it becomes accessible to the biologist. Among the systems studies are the ribosome and its interaction with RNA; the mechanism of mitosis; the mechanism of excitation-contraction coupling in the muscle cell and the interactions between hippocampal pyramidal cells. The award will support the purchase of a parallel computer, a system of workstations, and the development of corresponding software. The award is being supported by the Computational Biology Activities and the Instrumentation and Instrument Development programs. ***
