Recent advances and perspectives in fast time-resolved X-ray crystallography of proteins

International Conference on Applied Crystallography

October 17-19, 2016 Houston, USA

Borislav Angelov

Czech Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Material Sci Eng

Abstract :

The purpose of this work is to outline the new developments and perspectives for time resolved X-ray scattering and diffraction analysis on a time scale from femtoseconds to milliseconds. The utilization of femtosecond laser pulses for the generation of X-rays has opened new opportunities for structural studies of fast kinetic processes. This new technology is essentially different from the operation principles employed at the synchrotron sources and the free electron lasers. The ELI beamlines facility is planned to start operation by the end of 2016 near Prague in Czech Republic. It will provide unique advantages for time-resolved crystallography based on laser-driven plasma X-Ray Source (PXS). The generated pulses will span approx. 100 fs with a repetition rate of 1 kHz. The scattered and diffracted X-rays by the sample will be counted using a Dectris Eiger 1M area detector, which operates at the same frame rate as the source, i.e. 1 kHz. The created setup can be combined with several pump probe lasers in order to study the fast kinetics of dynamic biological systems, for example the protein photo systems. Under the conditions of low flux, the generation of a crystallographic image requires several pulses to be obtained. Therefore, serial femtosecond crystallography at tabletop XPS sources is becoming feasible.

Biography :

Email: borislav.angelov@eli-beams.eu