A Biologist's Resource for Protein Expression Plasmids: The Protein Structure Initiative:Biology‐Materials Repository

Abstract

The Protein Structure Initiative: Biology‐Materials Repository (MR; http://psimr.asu.edu) sequence‐verifies, annotates, stores, and distributes plasmids created by the Protein Structure Initiative (PSI). As of November 2012, over 60,000 protein expression plasmids and 97 empty vectors from the PSI are available through the distribution website DNASU (http://dnasu.asu.edu). In addition to the PSI collection, DNASU archives over 162,000 plasmids created by our laboratory, by various consortia, and by individual laboratories for distribution worldwide. Each plasmid is fully sequence‐verified and the insert sequence, along with additional annotations such vector information and associated publications, are available through our new and improved clone and vector detail pages. Each plasmid also links to external resources, including the PSI Structural Biology Knowledgebase (http://sbkb.org), facilitating cross‐referencing of plasmids to additional protein annotations and experimental data. Recent developments to DNASU include automation of our Expedited Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) process, which eliminates delays caused by MTA processing. With the added biological focus in PSI:Biology, the distribution of these materials will help researchers expand the knowledge of the role of proteins both in normal biological processes and in disease.