(700-04) Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL): A User Facility that Offers Unique and Integrated Capabilities to Plant Biologists Across the World
Scientist 2 Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland, Washington
Body of Abstract: The Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) is a Department of Energy, Office of Science, User Facility sponsored by the Biological and Environmental Research (BER) Program. Scientists around the world can partner with EMSL to answer fundamental questions in biological and environmental research using our world-class laboratory space, expertise, and equipment—for free—if their research proposal is accepted through our peer-review process. Here, we highlight application of capabilities and their impact on scientific discoveries in the area of plant, rhizosphere, and environmental sciences. Our capabilities range from metabolomics, lipidomics, ionomics, proteomics (including single cell and spatial), mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), microscopy, Stable Isotope Probing (SIP) coupled with Isotope ratio mass spectrometry, and X-ray computed tomography (XCT). Advanced MS instrumentation enables intact protein and native protein complex characterization and post-translational modification analyses. These methods are interfaced with structural biology capabilities that include cell-free expression, NMR, and cryo-electron microscopy for target proteins and protein complexes. We have multiple targeted and untargeted metabolomics platforms (e.g., NMR, GC-MS, LC-MS, and IMS-MS). NMR provides chemical bonding information, can employ SIP and yields quantitative metabolite profiling of bulk mixtures. We offer MSI capabilities that spatially analyze primary and secondary metabolites, lipids, glycans, and small proteins which provides insights into the molecular distribution at the cellular scale across plant organs and the rhizosphere. Isotopic imaging using NanoSIMS can be used to trace subcellular metabolic fluxes at the single microbe scale. The cellular and molecular profiles can be integrated with the phenotypes at organ or whole plant levels. For example, XCT produces a 3D image of the sample and is well-suited to investigate plant roots in their native soil environment. Overall, EMSL offers advanced capabilities to scientists from diverse disciplines across the world to answer complex questions in the field of molecular environmental biology.