X-Ray Scattering Approaches (BioSAXS)

BioSAXS is a form of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) tailored to biological samples, it provides low-resolution (1–2 nm) structural information about macromolecules in near-native conditions, without the need for crystallization and is often used in conjunction with techniques like X-ray crystallography, NMR, cryo-EM or AlphaFold.

• Structural characterization of proteins, RNA, DNA, and complexes
• Investigating protein folding, dynamics, or conformational transitions
• Comparing wild-type and mutant forms
• Studying protein-ligand or protein-protein interactions

• Radius of gyration (Rg)
• Maximum dimension (Dmax)
• Molecular envelope (3D shape reconstruction)
• Oligomeric states or aggregation
• Conformational changes or flexibility

The Structural Biology Core has regular access to the B21 beamline at Diamond Light Source for high throughput measurements. 

Users can be trained in data collection at the synchrotron and in data processing for SAXS. 

• 40-100 ul of a 1-2 mg/ml pure protein sample is required.
• A Tris, Phosphate buffer supplemented with some salt is ideal. The buffer should not contain any scatterers such as detergents.