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Macromolecular Crystallography is a
technique used to study biological molecules such as proteins, viruses
and nucleic acids (RNA and DNA) to a resolution higher than ~5Å.
This high resolution helps elucidate the detailed mechanism by which
these macromolecules carry out their functions in living cells and
organisms. Protein molecules can crystallize under regulated
conditions; the
crystals are made up of multiple copies of the molecule arranged in
a regular 3-dimensional lattice. The x-rays deflected
("scattered") by the atoms in equivalent positions in the
crystal lattice concentrate into sharp intense spots (crystal
diffraction pattern). The macromolecular structure can be
determined by analysis of the intensities and positions of the
diffraction spots.
The Macromolecular Crystallography
Group at the Stanford
Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource operates and develops beamlines
providing state of the art macromolecular crystallography facilities
and support for visiting researchers. Of the beamlines currently
operational BL9-2 and BL14-1 are designed for MAD experiments; the side
station BL7-1 is also MAD capable at slightly
reduced energy resolution. BL12-2, with an undulator source, is
optimized for microfocus applications, but can also be used for
conventional experiments (MAD, screening, etc.). Researchers from
universities, industry, and government laboratories around the world
can gain access to the beamline facilities by submitting a
research proposal. Updates on beamline
facilities and other user information are posted to the px-ssrl mailing
list.
Save the dates: The course RapiData 2020 on Data Collection and Structure Solving will take place on March 30 - April 4 2020. See the course announcement for more information. Save the dates: The 78th Annual Pittsburgh Diffraction Conference will take place on September 27-29, 2020 at SLAC. This three day event features lectures and poster presentations covering a wide range of subject matter of interest to researchers in chemistry, physics and structural biology. A new Multi-Technique Proposal mechanism (pilot phase) has been created for projects that require the use of two or more scientific techniques available at SSRL (this includes both x-ray and EM). The pilot proposal mechanism will initially cover Macromolecular Crystallography, Small Angle X-ray Scattering, and Cryo-EM. A goal is to expand it in the future to include additional techniques such as those available at LCLS. The new pilot proposals will require a thorough justification as to why the two or more techniques are required for scientific success. The proposals will be reviewed by an ad hoc Proposal Review Panel comprised of members of the SSRL SMB and Cryo-EM PRPs. The new proposal will be available June 1 and the first deadline for submission will be July 1. New software: HKL3000 is now available to all SMB SSRL users. To run the old version, HKL2000, please use the following command: module switch HKL3000 HKL2000. more news...
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