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Scientific News

ESRF - Photoinduced processes ESRF, February 2010
Ultrafast laser switching in a photochromic film visualised by time-resolved X-ray diffraction

A (2+2) photo-cycloaddition reaction in an organic crystal film was triggered by a fast laser pulse and studied with X-ray diffraction. This reaction and its thermally-activated reverse reaction were followed on the picosecond timescale, and intricate details of the reaction kinetics were revealed.

EMBL - Petra III inauguration ceremony EMBL, January 2010
Petra III inaugurated

For the past two-and-a-half years, EMBL Hamburg’s campus partner, the German Synchrotron Research Centre (DESY) has been converting the PETRA storage ring into a dedicated low emittance synchrotron radiation facility with leading optical parameters, named PETRA III. Out of PETRA III’s 14 beamlines, three are being designed and built by EMBL.

EMBL - The first structure of the family of nematode fatty acid and retinoid binding proteins EMBL, December 2009
“What has it got in its pocketsses?”- the first structure of the family of nematode fatty acid and retinoid binding proteins

In a recent paper published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, scientists at EMBL Hamburg describe the first protein structure of a family of nematode lipid binding proteins (LBPs).

EMBL - Evolution of the quality of the electron-
density maps and the model completeness for a test case. EMBL, October 2009
Auto-Rickshaw: faster, better, more

The Auto-Rickshaw automated crystal structure determination platform has received a further upgrade to include a combination of molecular replacement and single-wavelength anomalous diffraction phasing for automated structure determination.

ESRF - Design and mounting of the in-vacuum transfocator. ESRF, September 2009
A transfocator for X-ray focusing

A tunable X-ray focusing apparatus based on compound refractive lenses, referred to as a transfocator, has been installed in the first optics hutch of beamline ID11.

ESRF ESRF, August 2009
A novel nematic liquid crystal phase with ferroelectric response

Ferroelectric switching was observed for a nematic liquid crystal consisting of bent-core polar molecules. X-ray diffraction shows that this originates from the cooperative alignment of nanometric size polar and biaxial cybotactic groups present in the nematic phase. This discovery discloses the way toward ferroelectric fluids that can be aligned using a simple electric field.

ESRF ESRF, July 2009
Meningitis bacteria stealth tactics revealed

Meningitis bacteria mimic human cells to avoid detection by our immune system. The crystal structure of a Neisseria meningitidis surface protein in complex with human factor H shows us how this happens and may pave the way for a new vaccine against the disease.

ESRF ESRF, May 2009
The birth of micelles revealed by synchrotron light

Spontaneous micellisation of block copolymers in selective solvents was investigated by time-resolved SAXS experiments at the ESRF. The kinetic pathway of the micellisation was observed for the first time and could be modelled by a nucleation and growth process.

ESO - The dazzling afterglow was watched by Swift's X-ray Telescope. ESO, April 2009
An illuminating blast from the Universe’s past

Four decades ago, blasts of gamma-ray radiation were discovered originating from the farthest regions of the Universe. Once poorly understood, these powerful fits of stellar rage known as gamma-ray bursts are now revealing themselves.

ESRF - Suggested crystal structure of cubic BC5. ESRF, March 2009
Cubic BC5: a diamond-like material with unique properties

A diamond-like material with high boron content could be expected to combine the best properties from its constituent elements, boron and carbon.

EFDA JET - ITER-like antenna in plasma chamber on right EFDA JET, February 2009
Powering up the plasma

EFDA JET-JET serves up a new microwave recipe for ITER

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