BER Structural Biology and Imaging Resources at Synchrotron and Neutron Facilities

Scientists have made remarkable progress over the past few decades in biological imaging, from the atomic scale (subnanometer) to the cellular (micron) scale. There are extraordinary opportunities for scientists working to understand and harness biological systems for addressing mission-relevant challenges of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER). Many of these advances are made possible by BER structural biology resources that support unique crystallography, scattering, spectroscopy, imaging, and cryo-electron microscopy and tomography (Cryo-EM) capabilities available at national neutron and light source user facilities operated by DOE’s Office of Basic Energy Sciences. more…

Exploring the Roots of Photosynthesis in a Soil-Dwelling Bacterium

User Experiences

Neutrons—Making Sustainable Biofuels July 2, 2018 Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are using neutrons to understand why certain hydrocarbons produced by blue-green algae are important to their biology. Read more...

Cyanobacterial Studies Examine Cellular Structure During Nitrogen Starvation November 15, 2017 Using nondestructive neutron scattering techniques, scientists are examining how single-celled organisms called cyanobacteria produce oxygen and obtain energy through photosynthesis. Read more...