3D images of molecules at atomic scale for insights into molecular interactions and biological processes
Instruct has 3 centres offering X-ray crystallography beamline across Europe. Navigate the map and click on the pins to discover centres near you.
X-ray diffraction is a technique allowing the visualization of molecules at the atomic level, and thus offering incredible insights into the molecular mechanisms of biological processes.
The collection of X-ray diffraction data from a crystal is the last experimental step in a structure determination process and it is therefore critical that these measurements are optimal. For any given experiment, the accuracy of collected of data is largely dependent on using the most modern equipment The use of a synchrotron is especially well suited for these experiments as it provides small highly intense radiation.
Each synchrotron X-ray crystallography beamline is tailored to optimize the radiation for each individual X-ray diffraction experiment. The unique properties of such synchrotron based beamlines ensure that highly intense and focused X-rays beams are delivered onto small biologically important crystals. The X-ray diffraction resulting from such crystals is then collected using the most modern charge coupled detectors (CCD) and pixel counting X-ray detectors.
An X-ray crystallography beamline is therefore a highly complex piece of advanced engineering designed to give the most accurate measurement of X-ray diffraction data possible.