Radiation Damage In Biological Small Angle X-ray Scattering

Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is a popular technique for obtaining structural information from macromolecules and complexes in solution. Biological samples are sensitive to damage from X-rays consequently radiation damage places serious constraints on SAXS experiments. Damage typically manifests as aggregation of the sample, which changes the scattering and can make data interpretation impossible. With recent and planned upgrades to already bright third-generation sources and construction of high-brightness fourth-generation sources, understanding, quantifying and ultimately minimizing radiation damage in biological SAXS will be essential to efficient use and full exploitation of these sources. I will discuss my work to investigate both the fundamental physics and chemistry and the practical implications of radiation damage in SAXS. Finally, I will present developments in two novel strategies from preventing radiation damage: cryocooling (“cryoSAXS”) and outrunning radiation damage at room temperature.