Diamond Synchrontron at Harwell

Dr Steve Harborne is Attending the Diamond BAG Training Course

Dr Steve Harborne is attending a Diamond user block allocation group (BAG) training course at the Harwell Science & Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire on December 11th and 12th.

Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron, a huge scientific machine, more than half a kilometre in circumference, designed to produce very intense beams of X-rays, infrared and ultraviolet light.

Using extremely bright synchrotron X-ray beams to collect diffraction patterns from protein crystals is an important step in our structure discovery workflow.  This method combined with Peak Proteins’ extensive experience in X-ray structure determination allows us to solve the structures of many different protein classes, including kinases, phosphatases, proteases, receptors and Fab-antigen complexes.  We have regular access to a number of synchrotrons in UK and Europe, using specialist beam lines as appropriate.

Diamond is one of the most advanced scientific facilities in the world and its pioneering capabilities help keep the UK at the forefront of scientific research.  The scientists who work there are constantly researching the many aspects and uses of synchrotron radiation and continually updating the software and user protocols.  Training sessions are frequently available to keep users like us, up to date.

Steve commented, “I always enjoy visiting Diamond.  We are very lucky to have access to such a sophisticated research facility, virtually at our back door.”

Diamond is a not-for-profit limited company funded as a joint venture by the UK Government as part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC), and in partnership with the Wellcome Trust.

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