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Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Structural Studies of Macromolecules in Solution using Small Angle X-Ray Scattering
Published on: November 5, 2018
X-ray damage in protein-metal hybrid structures: a photoemission electron microscopy study
A Kade1, K Kummer, D V Vyalikh
1Institute of Solid State Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany. andreas.kade@ilkdresden.de
Abstract:
Bacterial surface layer protein sheets (S layer) coated with an ultrathin cobalt or silver film were studied by means of laterally resolved near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy performed by photoemission electron microscopy. Comparison with results obtained on pristine S layers allowed us to characterize both chemical interaction and X-ray damage in these protein-metal hybrid systems. In particular, we found that besides direct damage upon exposure to X-ray radiation the biomolecules experience additional contribution of the deposited metals, by low-energy electron generation in the metal particles.
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