The CRBS lowers the barriers for biophysical techniques, disciplines and translation. Typically, initial investment in reagents and operating fees necessary to perform a technique for the first time can be prohibitive, and obtaining the required expertise to interpret and analyze the data is challenging and time-consuming. For example, cryo-EM user fees are high, so launching new cryo-EM projects may be difficult without earmarked operating funds. Likewise, crystallization trays, sparse-array screening solutions, pins, mass spectrometry matrices and many other consumables are purchased in bulk, and impractical for exploratory experiments.

 

A rolling, quarterly competition will allow access to skilled support staff and consumables of up to ~$1K. Applicants  write short proposals outlining the barrier-lowering support requested and the scientific merit of the project. This initiative help researchers discover rapidly whether their research questions or biological system is well suited to a particular technique and to gain the initial expertise upon which to build.

 

The next competition will open in October 2025.