March 2025 - phenixbb - phenix-online.org

CloudFlare and Spain
by Billy Poon 06 Jun '26

06 Jun '26

Hi everyone, Does anyone in Spain have issues reaching the Phenix website ( https://phenix-online.org)? Our website is behind CloudFlare and it looks like, periodically, some CloudFlare IP addresses are blocked in Spain due to some piracy issues. Thanks! -- Billy K. Poon Research Scientist, Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 1 Cyclotron Road, M/S 33R0345 Berkeley, CA 94720 Fax: (510) 486-5909 Web: https://phenix-online.org

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Research Specialist Position at the University of Illinois to Study Ribosome Structure | POLIKANOV Lab
by Yury Polikanov 06 Jun '26

06 Jun '26

*Research Specialist Position Available, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago - Polikanov Lab* *The Polikanov Laboratory in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago (IL, USA) is looking for a talented, skillful, and highly motivated researcher to fill the Research Specialist position to study the structure and function of the bacterial ribosome.* For fullest consideration, please submit an application and cover letter describing your scientific interests and how your previous research accomplishments and scientific interests fit with the scope of the research in the Polikanov research group at https://uic.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/7573?c=uic *Position Summary:* The research in the Polikanov Laboratory at UIC is focused on understanding the basic principles of protein synthesis in bacteria, the modes of action of ribosome-targeting antibiotics, and the mechanisms of drug resistance at a structural level. This position is involved in the determination of high-resolution structures of ribosome functional complexes with various protein translation factors, tRNAs, and antibiotics using macromolecular X-ray crystallography and potentially cryo-EM techniques. Expected contributes to the design and delivery of research projects and collaborates with researchers to develop, execute, and interpret research projects. Performs complex laboratory and data collection techniques. *Duties & Responsibilities:* - Perform research relevant to the assigned projects; - Isolate, purify, and crystallize bacterial ribosomes; - Purify all additional components necessary for the crystallization experiments, such as recombinant proteins, tRNAs; - Collect X-ray diffraction data from the ribosome crystals at the APS and NSLS-II Synchrotrons; - Perform structural data analysis; - Coordinate, analyze, and document results for publication; - Directly participate in writing papers and grants based on the experimental data; - Train undergraduate and graduate students in research methods, use of equipment, record keeping, and laboratory database entry; - Attend weekly group meetings and journal club seminars. - Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned. *Minimum Qualifications:* - A bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, or a related field is required. - A master’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, or a related field is preferred. - A minimum of 3 years related research experience. - Possesses and applies comprehensive knowledge of research principles, concepts, practices, and methods. - Proficient in standard molecular biology and biochemistry lab techniques, such as protein expression, and purification *Preferred Qualifications:* - Experience in structural biology (cryo-EM or X-ray crystallography); - Experience in RNA biology, ribosome, and/or protein synthesis fields. *About the University of Illinois Chicago:* UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has nearly 260,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago. *The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters <https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/cms/one.aspx?portalId=4292&pageId=5705> to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify. **The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation <https://jobs.uic.edu/request-and-accomodation/>*

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RapiData at SSRL 2024
by Smith, Clyde 22 Jan '26

22 Jan '26

Hi everyone, Applications are now open for the 2024 edition of RapiData at SSRL. RapiData is a practical course in macromolecular X-ray diffraction data collection, data processing and structure solution. The aim of the RapiData course is to educate and train young scientists in data collection and processing methods at synchrotron beamlines, using state-of-the-art software and instrumentation. The course will be held at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) located on the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory campus in Menlo Park, CA, from April 29 to May 4, 2024. The course will comprise hands-on experiments at the SSRL beamlines, software tutorials, and lectures on the following topics: Specimen preparation, Data collection strategies, X-ray light sources, X-ray detectors, Data reduction, Structure solution by MAD, SAD and Molecular Replacement, Complementary methods (spectroscopy and small angle scattering) Please visit http://smb.slac.stanford.edu/news/rapidata/rapidata-2024/ and use the links on the "Application and Registration" page to apply for the course. The application deadline is January 31, 2024. Successful applicants will be notified early in February 2024 and invited to register and book accommodation at SLAC Stanford Guesthouse at that time. A limited amount of support funding may be available. Please direct questions to Silvia Russi (srussi(a)slac.stanford.edu) or Clyde Smith (csmith(a)slac.stanford.edu).

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Differential density peaks and hydrophobic residues
by Lucas Souza 04 Apr '25

04 Apr '25

Hi everyone, I am refining a ~3A structure using phenix 1.21.2-5419. I am at the final stages of the refinement but I am seeing some positive density on some hydrophobic residues (mainly Ile and Leu) together with a negative density around those residues (image attached). At first, I guessed that might be related to solvent mask, so I turned on optimize_mask. That did not solve the issue, although slightly decreased R values. Diffraction data was processed with autoproc+staraniso and does not seem to be twinned (normal intensity stats + map deteriorates if twinning refinement is applied). Does anyone have a guess about that? Best, Lucas -- Lucas Souza dos Santos Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural Aplicada (LBEA) Departamento de Microbiologia Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas II - USP Cidade Universitária - São Paulo - SP CEP 05508-000

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IBA2025 - May 5&6 2025 - Cambridge MA
by Chip Lesburg 30 Mar '25

30 Mar '25

The Industrial Biostructures America conference will take place on May 5 & 6, 2025 at the MassBioHub in Cambridge MA. The conference was launched in 2018 to bring the industry-based structural biology community together for two days of presentations and networking. This is a great place for industrial structural biologists, as well as those who are industry-curious. The conference will feature keynote presentations by: * Dr. Stephen K. Burley, Director RCSB Protein Data Bank and Rutgers University Professor * Dr. James Fraser, Professor and Chair Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutics Sciences at UCSF * Dr. Stephen Harrison, Professor Harvard Medical School/Investigator Howard Hughes Medical Institute * Dr. Mark Murcko, Founding CSO/Board Member at Dewpoint Therapeutics and Relay Therapeutics Conference information is available at https://industrialbiostructuresamerica.org along with guidelines for submitting abstracts for scientific presentations during the conference. Scientific sessions will cover the following topics: * Structural Biology of Targeted Protein Degradation: Glues, TCs & DUBs * Developing Fragments to Drugs: Challenges & Victories * Molecular Dynamics and Allostery - Bridging Experimental and Computational Drug Discovery * Membrane Protein Structure Guided Design * CryoEM Synergies with Molecular Modeling and Computational Models * Biologics (Antibody Design & ADCs) * AI/ML in Structural Biology and Drug Discovery * Hot Topics (SBDD, Kinases, RNA) The abstract deadline is April 1. Space is limited so if you're interested, please register soon. Contact us at iba(a)proteros.com<mailto:[email protected]> for information regarding Exhibitor and Sponsor opportunities [cid:logo_c70edd4a-e7f0-4d54-be6f-d03f53f0c961.png] Charles Lesburg Vice President, Structural Biology odysseytx.com<https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/___https:/odysseytx.com/___.YzJ1Om9keXNzZ…> This message is for the named person's use only. It may contain confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information. If you receive this message in error, please immediately delete it and all copies of it from your system, destroy any hard copies of it and notify the sender. ODYSSEY THERAPEUTICS, INC. ("ODYSSEY THERAPEUTICS") reserves the right to monitor all e-mail communications through its networks. ODYSSEY THERAPEUTICS cannot be committed by this e-mail or warrant the accuracy or validity of any information presented. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender.

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can not launch phenix gui
by lzhlizehou＠outlook.com 29 Mar '25

29 Mar '25

Dears, I am using Ubuntu 24.04 and have successfully installed phenix-1.21.2-5419. However, when I attempt to launch the GUI by running the phenix command, it fails with the following error: Error in sys.excepthook: Traceback (most recent call last): File "/usr/local/phenix-1.21.2-5419/modules/phenix/wxGUI2/App.py", line 961, in _excepthook Error.show_exception_dialog(type, value, traceback) File "/usr/local/phenix-1.21.2-5419/modules/phenix/wxGUI2/Error.py", line 76, in show_exception_dialog if (app.bug_timer.IsRunning() is False): AttributeError: 'PhenixApp' object has no attribute 'bug_timer' Original exception was: Traceback (most recent call last): File "/usr/local/phenix-1.21.2-5419/build/../modules/phenix/wxGUI2/command_line/main.py", line 34, in <module> run(sys.argv[1:]) File "/usr/local/phenix-1.21.2-5419/build/../modules/phenix/wxGUI2/command_line/main.py", line 28, in run wxapp = App.PhenixApp(args) File "/usr/local/phenix-1.21.2-5419/modules/phenix/wxGUI2/App.py", line 84, in __init__ wx.App.__init__(self, 0) File "/usr/local/phenix-1.21.2-5419/conda_base/lib/python2.7/site-packages/wx-3.0-gtk2/wx/_core.py", line 8628, in __init__ self._BootstrapApp() File "/usr/local/phenix-1.21.2-5419/conda_base/lib/python2.7/site-packages/wx-3.0-gtk2/wx/_core.py", line 8196, in _BootstrapApp return _core_.PyApp__BootstrapApp(*args, **kwargs) File "/usr/local/phenix-1.21.2-5419/modules/phenix/wxGUI2/App.py", line 118, in OnInit show_splash_screen(timeout=2000) File "/usr/local/phenix-1.21.2-5419/modules/phenix/wxGUI2/App.py", line 1015, in show_splash_screen dlg,-1,citations.format_citation(citations.citations_db.get("phenix"))) File "/usr/local/phenix-1.21.2-5419/conda_base/lib/python2.7/site-packages/wx-3.0-gtk2/wx/_controls.py", line 997, in __init__ _controls_.StaticText_swiginit(self,_controls_.new_StaticText(*args, **kwargs)) UnicodeDecodeError: 'ascii' codec can't decode byte 0xc3 in position 40: ordinal not in range(128) Could you kindly advise on how to resolve this issue? I would greatly appreciate your assistance. Looking forward to your reply. Best regards Li

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Call for Abstracts - Combining experimental data with predicted models - Session at the ACA Meeting, July 18-23, 2025
by Christopher Williams 24 Mar '25

24 Mar '25

Dear All, Rakhi Rajan and I are co-chairing the session "Combining experimental data with predicted models for structure determination" session at the 75th American Crystallographic Association Meeting in Lombard, IL (near Chicago) from July 18–23, 2025. It's a great meeting, and we encourage both general attendance and submissions for our session. We welcome abstract submissions for both talks and posters. If you're interested, please submit your abstract at https://www.acameeting2025.com/. Deadlines are fast approaching: March 31 – Deadline for oral abstracts & travel grant applications April 30 – Deadline for poster abstracts We invite contributions of novel methods and pipelines for combining prediction and experiment. We also invite stories of working with predictions and data. Have you gotten into the weeds with AlphaFold? Has structure prediction let you better design an experiment? Or has experimental data revealed an important detail missing from prediction? We want to hear about it! If you're interested in sponsoring our session, please reach out as well. -Christopher Williams ---Richardson Lab, Duke University -Rakhi Rajan ---University of Oklahoma

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phenix low resolution refinement strategies
by a131943017＠163.com 20 Mar '25

20 Mar '25

Hi, how do I set the optimization parameters to make free R lower for 3.2Å x-ray crystallography data, or in other words, how do I go about determining whether the optimization strategy is appropriate or not? Questions from a Phenix Beginner.

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Refining the structure of Ribosome and the system crash
by Rajnandani Kashyap 12 Mar '25

12 Mar '25

Hello Everyone I am trying to run jobs in phenix (real space refinement alignment with the other modelling jobs), but the system always crashes, and refinement doesn't complete. This is the structure of ribosome, and I am wondering what to do to get through the refinement. Is there any specific parameters I should be using. I tried to change the processors to 15 for a 20-processor computer. Let me know. Thanks in advance. FYI: There is no error message in the log. Best, Rajnandani ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Rajnandani Kashyap, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Saint Louis University, Antony Lab 1205 Carr Lane, DRC 451 St. Louis, MO 63104 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9141-1168 -----------------------------------------------------------------------

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Program crash
by F.Xavier Gomis-Rüth 05 Mar '25

05 Mar '25

Dear all, I recently upgraded my MacOS to Sequoia 15.3.1 and found that previous phenix jobs that ran without problem suddenly crashed with the installation (phenix-1-21.2-5419) I had since August 2024. So I installed the latest on-built (phenix-2.0rc-5617) but it nonetheless crashed with the message below. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Best, Xavier XGRMAC:cyc3 > Could not import the compiled Python-sander interface.Traceback (most recent call last): File "/Applications/phenix-2.0rc1-5617/lib/python3.9/site-packages/phenix/command_line/real_space_refine.py", line 8, in <module> run_program(real_space_refine.Program) File "/Applications/phenix-2.0rc1-5617/lib/python3.9/site-packages/iotbx/cli_parser.py", line 980, in run_program task.run() File "/Applications/phenix-2.0rc1-5617/lib/python3.9/site-packages/phenix/programs/real_space_refine.py", line 206, in run self.rsr_result = rsr_wrappers.run_real_space_refine( File "/Applications/phenix-2.0rc1-5617/lib/python3.9/site-packages/phenix/refinement/rsr/wrappers.py", line 52, in __init__ self._refined = macro_cycle_real_space.run( File "/Applications/phenix-2.0rc1-5617/lib/python3.9/site-packages/phenix/refinement/macro_cycle_real_space.py", line 306, in __init__ self.caller(self.refine_xyz) File "/Applications/phenix-2.0rc1-5617/lib/python3.9/site-packages/phenix/refinement/macro_cycle_real_space.py", line 321, in caller func() File "/Applications/phenix-2.0rc1-5617/lib/python3.9/site-packages/phenix/refinement/macro_cycle_real_space.py", line 704, in refine_xyz self.minimization_ncs() File "/Applications/phenix-2.0rc1-5617/lib/python3.9/site-packages/phenix/refinement/macro_cycle_real_space.py", line 794, in minimization_ncs weight = real_space_weight.run( File "/Applications/phenix-2.0rc1-5617/lib/python3.9/site-packages/mmtbx/refinement/real_space/weight.py", line 84, in __init__ ro.refine( File "/Applications/phenix-2.0rc1-5617/lib/python3.9/site-packages/mmtbx/refinement/real_space/individual_sites.py", line 394, in refine real_space_result = refinery( File "/Applications/phenix-2.0rc1-5617/lib/python3.9/site-packages/mmtbx/refinement/real_space/individual_sites.py", line 233, in __init__ refiner.refine( File "/Applications/phenix-2.0rc1-5617/lib/python3.9/site-packages/mmtbx/refinement/real_space/individual_sites.py", line 126, in refine minimized = mmtbx.refinement.minimization_ncs_constraints.lbfgs( File "/Applications/phenix-2.0rc1-5617/lib/python3.9/site-packages/mmtbx/refinement/minimization_ncs_constraints.py", line 424, in __init__ minimizer = scitbx.lbfgs.run( File "/Applications/phenix-2.0rc1-5617/lib/python3.9/site-packages/scitbx/lbfgs/__init__.py", line 270, in run return run_c_plus_plus( File "/Applications/phenix-2.0rc1-5617/lib/python3.9/site-packages/scitbx/lbfgs/__init__.py", line 131, in run_c_plus_plus f, g = target_evaluator.compute_functional_and_gradients() File "/Applications/phenix-2.0rc1-5617/lib/python3.9/site-packages/mmtbx/refinement/minimization_ncs_constraints.py", line 456, in compute_functional_and_gradients t,g = self.target_and_grads_object.target_and_gradients( File "/Applications/phenix-2.0rc1-5617/lib/python3.9/site-packages/mmtbx/refinement/minimization_ncs_constraints.py", line 242, in target_and_gradients t_restraints, g_restraints = restraints_target_and_grads( File "/Applications/phenix-2.0rc1-5617/lib/python3.9/site-packages/mmtbx/refinement/minimization_ncs_constraints.py", line 110, in restraints_target_and_grads ef = restraints_manager.energies_sites( File "/Applications/phenix-2.0rc1-5617/lib/python3.9/site-packages/cctbx/geometry_restraints/manager.py", line 1524, in energies_sites pair_proxies = self.pair_proxies( File "/Applications/phenix-2.0rc1-5617/lib/python3.9/site-packages/cctbx/geometry_restraints/manager.py", line 1427, in pair_proxies check_bonded_distance_cutoff(sites_frac=sites_frac) File "/Applications/phenix-2.0rc1-5617/lib/python3.9/site-packages/cctbx/geometry_restraints/manager.py", line 1308, in check_bonded_distance_cutoff raise RuntimeError(msg) RuntimeError: Bond distance > max_reasonable_bond_distance: 59.7151 > 50: distance: 0 - 1: 15.382 distance: 1 - 2: 14.133 distance: 1 - 3: 15.077 distance: 4 - 5: 11.010 distance: 5 - 6: 5.064 distance: 5 - 8: 12.166 distance: 6 - 7: 9.252 distance: 6 - 15: 4.656 distance: 8 - 9: 6.568 distance: 9 - 10: 41.112 distance: 9 - 11: 19.959 distance: 10 - 12: 4.365 distance: 11 - 13: 12.611 distance: 12 - 14: 28.654 distance: 13 - 14: 25.314 distance: 15 - 16: 7.291 distance: 16 - 17: 12.341 distance: 16 - 19: 4.354 distance: 17 - 18: 11.820 distance: 17 - 26: 9.661 distance: 19 - 20: 7.438 distance: 20 - 21: 17.074 distance: 20 - 22: 19.126 distance: 21 - 23: 7.637 distance: 22 - 24: 3.434 distance: 23 - 25: 24.169 distance: 24 - 25: 8.875 distance: 26 - 27: 10.037 distance: 27 - 28: 9.377 distance: 27 - 30: 12.844 distance: 28 - 29: 12.437 distance: 28 - 34: 22.926 distance: 30 - 31: 46.409 distance: 31 - 32: 6.849 distance: 31 - 33: 21.459 distance: 34 - 35: 12.375 distance: 34 - 40: 15.635 distance: 35 - 36: 10.511 distance: 35 - 38: 12.461 distance: 36 - 37: 11.525 distance: 36 - 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