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Updated: Feb 8, 2026
07:55
An All-in-one Sample Holder for Macromolecular X-ray Crystallography with Minimal Background Scattering
Published on: July 6, 2019
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ID30B - a versatile beamline for macromolecular crystallography experiments at the ESRF
Andrew A McCarthy1, Ray Barrett2, Antonia Beteva2
1European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Grenoble Outstation, 71 avenue des Martyrs, Grenoble 38042, France.
Journal of Synchrotron Radiation
|July 7, 2018
Summary
The ID30B beamline offers high-intensity, tuneable X-rays for macromolecular crystallography (MX). It features advanced sample handling for efficient structural biology research.
Area of Science:
- Structural Biology
- Macromolecular Crystallography (MX)
- Synchrotron Radiation
Background:
- The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) Structural Biology Group's Phase I Upgrade Program included the development of new beamlines.
- The ID30B beamline is a key component of this upgrade, designed for high-throughput macromolecular crystallography.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the characteristics of the ID30B beamline.
- To describe the experimental capabilities and procedures for various MX experiments at ID30B.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an undulator-based X-ray source for high intensity.
- Employed a tuneable energy range (6.0-20 keV) and variable focus (20-200 µm diameter).
- Integrated a modified microdiffractometer (MD2S) with in situ plate screening and a flexible sample changer (FlexHCD).
Main Results:
- ID30B provides high-intensity, energy-tuneable X-rays for MX experiments.
- The beamline is equipped with specialized sample handling tools (MD2S and FlexHCD) for enhanced experimental efficiency.
- Detailed operational procedures for diverse MX experiments are available.
Conclusions:
- ID30B is a state-of-the-art beamline optimized for macromolecular crystallography research.
- The specialized equipment and capabilities facilitate advanced structural biology studies.
- The beamline has been operational for users since June 2015.
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