News from the facilites
First European XFEL research results published
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Source: Press release by European XFEL, based on Grünbein et al., 2018: Megahertz data collection from protein microcrystals at an X-ray free-electron laser, Nature Communicationsvolume 9, 3487. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-05953-4
The first results based on research performed at the facility have been published. In the journal Nature Communications, the scientists, headed by Prof. Ilme Schlichting from Max-Planck-Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg, demonstrate, for the first time that, under the conditions used at the time of the experiment an increased number of X-ray pulses per second as produced by the European XFEL can be successfully used to determine the structure of biomolecules. As much faster data collection is therefore possible, the time needed for an experiment could be significantly shortened. The detailed determination of the 3D structure of biomolecules is crucial for providing insights into informing the development of novel drugs to treat diseases. [more] 05.09.2018 |
FXE instrument@XFEL
The FXE instrument, which is currently being assembled in its hutch in the European XFEL experiment hall, will enable studies of ultrafast processes such as decisive intermediate steps of chemical reactions. The X-ray laser flashes enter the instrument from the right side of the picture and travel through a series of complex optics and diagnostics before arriving at the sample interaction region. A yellow robot arm for one of the instrument’s detectors is seen in the background to the left.
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European XFEL prepares for user operation: Researchers can hand in first proposals for experiments
For the first time, scientists from around the world can now submit their proposals for experiments at the European XFEL. The user programme is expected to begin in the second half of the year, with two of the planned six instruments being initially available, that is the Femtosecond X-Ray Experiments (FXE) instrument and the Single Particles, Clusters, and Biomolecules and Serial Femtosecond Crystallography (SPB/SFX) instrument. FXE enables investigations of ultrafast processes and the creation of “molecular movies”, which show the progression of an individual reaction with high precision. SPB/SFX is specialized for research into biomolecules and other biological materials. [more]