Synchrotron Radiation in Life Sciences

Vivian      Stojanoff; Paul      Northrup; Ruth      Pietri; Zhong      Zhong

Abstract

Synchrotron Radiation (SR) presents itself as a “play-ground” with a large range of methods and techniques suitable to unveil the mysteries of life. Here we attempt to present a few of these methods that complement those employed in the home laboratory. SR diffraction, spectroscopy and imaging methods relevant to the atomic structure determination and characterization of the properties and function of chemical compounds and macromolecules of biological relevance, are introduced.

Keywords: Synchrotron Radiation, macromolecular crystallography, spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, x-ray imaging, crystal structure, imaging methods, muscles fiber diffraction, wavelength, detector technologies, Single-crystal diffraction, Herceptin, high- pressure crystallography, cryogenic methods