Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 4, 2026

Improving High Viscosity Extrusion of Microcrystals for Time-resolved Serial Femtosecond Crystallography at X-ray Lasers
Published on: February 28, 2019
Using synchrotrons and XFELs for time-resolved X-ray crystallography and solution scattering experiments on
Matteo Levantino1, Briony A Yorke2, Diana Cf Monteiro3
1Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of Palermo, Palermo 90128, Italy.
Time-resolved X-ray crystallography and solution scattering offer new insights into biological mechanisms. These techniques are becoming more accessible for understanding processes like catalysis and signaling.
Area of Science:
- Structural Biology
- Biophysics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Understanding biological mechanisms requires dynamic structural information.
- Time-resolved experiments capture transient states of biomolecules.
- Advancements in X-ray sources and data analysis are crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the capabilities of time-resolved X-ray crystallography and solution scattering.
- To discuss the information obtainable from these dynamic structural techniques.
- To guide the design of time-resolved experiments for structural biologists.
Main Methods:
- Time-resolved X-ray crystallography
- Time-resolved solution scattering
- Advanced X-ray sources
- Novel data collection and analysis strategies
Main Results:
- These techniques provide dynamic structural insights into biological processes.
- Routine application is becoming feasible due to technological progress.
- Experimental design requires careful consideration of specific parameters.
Conclusions:
- Time-resolved structural biology is advancing rapidly.
- X-ray crystallography and solution scattering are powerful tools for mechanistic studies.
- Successful implementation depends on informed experimental planning.
Related Concept Videos
X-ray Diffraction of Biological Samples
According to Bragg's law, when X-rays strike the sample positioned on a stage, the rays are scattered by the electron clouds around the sample atoms. The X-ray diffraction or scattering is caused by constructive interference of the X-ray waves that reflect off the internal...
X-ray Crystallography
Diffraction
Diffraction is the change in the direction of travel experienced by an electromagnetic wave when it encounters a physical barrier whose dimensions are comparable to those of the wavelength of the light. X-rays are electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths about as long as the distance between neighboring...
Determination of Crystal Structures
Electron Microscope Tomography and Single-particle Reconstruction
Electron Tomography
Electron tomography can be performed either in TEM or STEM (scanning transmission...
Cryo-electron Microscopy

