StructuraLink Rhein-Ruhr

• Subject Area: Structural Biology ; Biochemistry ; Biophysics
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 573727698

Structural biology is a key technology in the life sciences, as it enables a molecular understanding of biological processes by elucidating three-dimensional protein structures. In both research and application, ranging from drug development to synthetic biology, there is a rapidly growing demand for high-resolution structural methods such as cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, SAXS and Protein modeling and simulations. With the planned StrukturaLink Rhein-Ruhr center, four sites (Düsseldorf, Cologne, Bochum, and Jülich) are joining forces in an alliance to efficiently pool their complementary infrastructures and expertise. The goal is to provide cutting-edge structural biology technologies across locations and to optimize their use. Through close cooperation, not only will the utilization of existing large-scale equipment be improved, but scientific quality will also be enhanced through integrative, cross-method approaches. A central concept is the establishment of "SuperUsers": trained, decentralized experts who support experimental planning, execution, and data analysis, while also facilitating access for researchers from various institutions. StrukturaLink aims to build a regional, closely connected, and sustainable infrastructure that ensures everyday, low-threshold access to complementary structural biology technologies. This will simplify the use of complex structural biology methods and strengthen collaboration between research institutions in the region. The exchange of methods, know-how, and sample material will improve sample quality and significantly increase the success rate of high-resolution structure determination.

• DFG Programme: Core Facilities
• Applicant Institution: Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
• Leader: Professor Dr. Sander Smits
• Co-Investigators: Professor Dr. Elmar Behrmann; Professor Dr. Eckhard Hofmann