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Related Concept Videos

Protein Dynamics in Living Cells01:19

Protein Dynamics in Living Cells

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Different fluorescence-based techniques are used to study the protein dynamics in living cells. These techniques include FRAP, FRET, and PET.
Fluorescent recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) is a fluorescent-protein-based detection technique used to quantify protein movement rates within the cell. This method exposes a small portion of the cell to an intense laser beam. The laser beam causes permanent photobleaching of the fluorophore-tagged proteins in the exposed region. As the bleached...
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Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:18

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Cytoskeletal filaments are polymeric forms of smaller protein subunits. However, individual cytoskeletal filaments may easily disassemble or associate with other similar filaments to form rigid structures. Microfilaments, made of actin monomers, rely on actin-binding proteins to form bundles and create networks of individual actin filaments. Microtubules rely on microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) to form sturdy cylindrical structures. However, the proteins involved in forming complex...
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Mechanical Protein Functions01:58

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Proteins perform many mechanical functions in a cell. These proteins can be classified into two general categories- proteins that generate mechanical forces and proteins that are subjected to mechanical forces. Proteins providing mechanical support to the structure of the cell, such as keratin, are subjected to mechanical force, whereas proteins involved in cell movement and transport of molecules across cell membranes, such as an ion pump, are examples of generating mechanical force. 
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Studying the Cytoskeleton01:17

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The cytoskeletal architecture can be studied using different microscopic and biochemical techniques. Electron microscopy was instrumental in discovering the cytoskeletal architecture around the 1960s, which allowed obtaining structural information at a high-resolution level. However, the sample preparation procedure often limits this ability in biological samples. Several protocols have been developed over the years to optimize sample preparation. In one of the protocols known as rotary...
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Globular and Fibrous Proteins02:21

Globular and Fibrous Proteins

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Many proteins can be classified into two distinct subtypes - globular or fibrous. These two types differ in their shapes and solubilities.
Globular proteins are also known as spheroproteins and typically are approximately round in shape. They contain a mix of amino acid types and contain differing sequences in their primary structures. Globular proteins have many different functions, such as enzymes, cellular messengers, and molecular transporters. These roles often require the proteins to be...
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Noncovalent attractions are associations within and between molecules that influence the shape and structural stability of complexes. These interactions differ from covalent bonding in that they do not involve sharing of electrons.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 23, 2026

Investigating Protein Sequence-structure-dynamics Relationships with Bio3D-web
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Investigating Protein Sequence-structure-dynamics Relationships with Bio3D-web

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XFELs for structure and dynamics in biology.

J C H Spence1

  • 1Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1504, USA.

Iucrj
|September 7, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Free-electron X-ray lasers (XFELs) enable atomic-resolution imaging of molecular processes under near-physiological conditions. This review covers XFEL applications in biology, highlighting research opportunities and challenges.

Area of Science:

  • Structural Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The advent of free-electron X-ray lasers (XFELs) in 2009 revolutionized biological imaging.
  • XFELs offer unique capabilities to study molecular dynamics by outrunning radiation damage.
  • Previous methods were limited by sample damage and the need for cryogenic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the development and applications of XFELs in biological structure and dynamics.
  • To outline research opportunities enabled by XFEL technology.
  • To identify grand challenges in the field.

Main Methods:

  • Serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX)
  • Single-particle diffraction (SPD)
  • Fast solution scattering (FSS)
Keywords:
X-ray lasersXFELsbiologydynamicsstructure

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  • Pump-probe spectroscopy
  • Mix-and-inject experiments
  • Caged molecule and pH jump studies

    • Main Results:

    • Atomic resolution imaging of molecular processes on the femtosecond timescale.
    • Studies under near-physiological conditions, preserving native thermal environments.
    • Overcoming radiation damage limitations inherent in traditional methods.
    • Enabling the study of transient states and reaction intermediates.

    Conclusions:

    • XFELs provide unprecedented insights into the function of molecular machines.
    • The technology facilitates the study of biological processes in their native states.
    • Future research directions include tackling complex biological systems and refining experimental techniques.