The XBI BioLab for life science experiments at the European XFEL.

Area of Science:

• Structural biology
• Biophysics
• X-ray science

Background:

• X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) require high-quality biological samples for experiments.
• Biological sample stability is limited, and crucial transformations occur rapidly.
• Proximity of support laboratories to XFEL beamlines is essential for biological research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of the XBI BioLab facility at the European XFEL.
• To highlight the capabilities of the integrated user facility for biological experiments.
• To showcase initial results from user experiments conducted at the XBI BioLab.

Main Methods:

• Establishment of an integrated user facility (XBI BioLab) adjacent to XFEL beamlines.
• Construction of a central wet laboratory surrounded by specialized research spaces.
• Provision of diverse laboratories including cell culture, BSL-2, purification, crystallization, and microscopy.

Main Results:

• The XBI BioLab offers comprehensive facilities for sample preparation, characterization, and experimentation.
• The facility supports a wide range of biological experiments, from cell culture to advanced microscopy.
• Early user experiments have begun, demonstrating the facility's operational capabilities.

Conclusions:

• The XBI BioLab is a crucial infrastructure supporting advanced biological research at the European XFEL.
• The integrated facility enhances the quality and scope of experiments using XFELs.
• The collaborative effort behind the XBI BioLab facilitates cutting-edge biomolecular studies.