Micron and Nanometer-sized Beams for Crystallography
Christian Riekel
European Synchrotron Radiation Facility
I will discuss a number of approaches in instrumentation, sample handling and data collection, developed at the ESRF microfocus beamline (ID13) for microcrystallography and in particular for protein crystallography. Protein structural refinements have been performed for crystal volumes of about 100 mm2 using X-ray beams of about 5 mm. Crystal volumes are likely to be reduced by new types sample environments, a further reduction of beam size and the systematic use of scanning diffractometry. A more brilliant synchrotron radiation source -such as the ERL-project- would allow reducing data collection times and limit secondary radiation damage propagation in scanning diffractometry. I will also show in my talk that techniques developed for protein microcrystallography can be applied to the study of highly textured and fibrous biological materials. Experiments, which are barely possible at 3rd generation sources -like single cell structural studies- would profit considerably from the ERL-project.
