X-ray Diffraction and Bio-SAXS, Diamond Light Source, Harwell, UK

About X-ray Diffraction and Bio-SAXS, Diamond Light Source, Harwell, UK

Macromolecular Crystallography (MX)

Diamond provides a range of techniques for academic and industrial researchers studying the machines of life. As one of those techniques, Macromolecular Crystallography (MX) reveals the shape and arrangement of biological molecules at atomic resolution, knowledge of which provides a highly accurate insight into function. This can be combined with complementary information from many other techniques available at Diamond alongside lab based investigations to reveal the broader picture of molecular interactions and their effects.

Small Angle Scattering (SAXS)

Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) covers the major disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics delivering structural and dynamic information in nanoscience, mesoscopic architectures, supramolecular structures and nucleation/growth of crystals. SAXS is also proving important in archaeological, environmental and conservation sciences, indicating an ability to span a wide range of scientific disciplines.

Service Availability:

Remote

Instruments Available:

B21 is a dedicated solution state Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) beam line that can accommodate a wide variety of aqueous-based and some limited organic solvent-based samples. B21 utilises a bending magnet source and delivers ~3 x 10^12 photons/sec directly to the sample. The photons are distributed over a large 0.8 x 2 mm cross-section which is particularly helpful in minimising radiation damage while enhancing the signal of the particles. Our detector is currently configured to measure a scattering vector (q) range from 0.0032 to 0.38 Å-1. Our end-station can be configured for full-automation from a 96-well plate, using the BIOSAXS robot (designed by the EMBL in Grenoble). However, we do offer Size-Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) coupled SAXS with either Superdex or Shodex SEC columns controlled by an Agilent HPLC. SAXS samples are measured through a temperature controlled capillary.

I03 is one of five macromolecular crystallography (MX) beamlines at Diamond. I03 is a tuneable beamline with a working wavelength range of 0.6 - 2.48 Å. The standard working wavelength is 0.976 Å (12.7 keV) with a focused beam size of 90 x 30 um (FWHM). As with all the MX beamlines, I03 uses SPINE standard pins and Unipucks for cryo-cooled samples. I03 can provide containment measures for experiments involving biological agents in Hazard Groups 2 and 3.