Page 4 - Hormel Report 2023

4 | THE HORMEL INSTITUTE // UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA
TRANSFORMATION IS UNDERWAY AT THE HORMEL INSTITUTE
The Hormel Institute installed the seventh Titan Krios cryo electron microscope worldwide and today is the only research facility in Minnesota—and among most neighboring states—that currently
houses one. Several scientists at The Hormel Institute regularly use cryo- EM to advance their research, including research projects in collabora- tion with Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus.
Under the right conditions, scientists can use cryo-EM to view their microscopic subjects at the atomic level, making it an essential tool allowing researchers to study macromolecular structures for an endless array of research purposes.
However, at present, the limited access to facilities with cryo-EM capabilities, both regionally and internationally, presents itself as a major roadblock to many researchers and labs.
As part of a new initiative to create the Minnesota BioImaging Center (MBiC) at The Hormel Institute, the Cryo Facility will acquire additional technology and resources that will further expand our capabilities to meet regional research needs. This includes installing a second Titan Krios and a Focused Ion Beam Miller to expand capabilities into the latest cryo-ET tomography.
The additional resources created by MBiC will strengthen our ongoing partnerships with Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota and also present opportunities to build new partnerships with additional regional institutions—all in the name of accelerating scientific progress through- out the region to improve human lives.
MBiC MINNESOTA BIOIMAGING
CENTER
OVERVIEW: MBiC’S IMPACT
· Construction of two-story addition
· Acquisition of second cryo-EM and other specialized equipment
· Creation of new research collaborations and jobs
· Virtually 24/7 access for visiting researchers
· Continued recruitment of leading scientific experts
· Learning Lab for students of all ages