Building on the success of Instruct-ERIC, Instruct-ULTRA was launched in 2017 to deepen and widen access to innovative high-end structural biology techniques within Europe and beyond.
Structural Biology is amid a revolution enabled by significant advances in tools such as cryo-EM, ultra-high field NMR and advances in synchrotron sources. Instruct-ULTRA worked over four years to exploit new technologies and build capacity within both academic and industry settings, in response to accelerating demand.
At the time of kick-off, ten EU countries benefitted from membership of Instruct-ERIC, allowing researchers access and funding to a wide range of structural biology infrastructure and training. By the end of the ULTRA project, this had increased to 15 member countries and organisations, including 24 research sites. To expand membership, Instruct-ULTRA funded three Open Calls, allowing potential member countries and organisations to trial access to Instruct’s services.
Instruct-ULTRA also initiated pilot projects to further develop and refine new innovations in structural biology, allowing niche bespoke methods to find broader application across the scientific and medical research community. Details of the pilot projects can be found in Work Package 4.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Instruct-ULTRA supported Instruct-ERIC in the delivery of online resources and remote services. In particular, Instruct-ULTRA helped to set up the COVID-19 Resource Centre on the Instruct-ERIC website. The Resource Centre compiles tools, information and support from Instruct and the wider scientific community, assisting research relating to SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19.
Sixteen partners were a part of Instruct-ULTRA, with the project led by staff at the Instruct-ERIC Hub in Oxford, UK. The project concluded in December 2020.
If you would like any further information about the Instruct-ULTRA project, please contact support@instruct-eric.eu
4th Instruct Workshop for Best Practice in CryoEM
Instruct-ULTRA General Assembly 2020
