Bio-SANS - A dedicated facility for neutron structural biology at oak ridge national laboratory

摘要

The Center for Structural Molecular Biology (CSMB) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is developing facilities and techniques for the characterization and analysis of biological systems at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) and the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS). The cornerstone of the effort is a small-angle neutron scattering instrument (Bio-SANS) currently under construction at HFIR that will be dedicated to the analysis of the structure, function and dynamics of complex biological systems. In support of this program, we are developing advanced computational tools for neutron analysis and modeling, alongside a supporting biophysical characterization and X-ray scattering infrastructure. Specifically, we established a Bio-Deuteration Laboratory for in vivo production of H/D-labeled macromolecules that will permit selected parts of macromolecular structures to be highlighted and analyzed in situ using neutron scattering. These new facilities will make ORNL a world-leading scientific center and user facility for neutron-based studies of biomolecular structure and function. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.