Biological Sciences

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July 11, 2022
News Feature
X-rays help researchers piece together treasured cellular gateway for first time
After almost two decades of synchrotron experiments, Caltech scientists have captured a clear picture of a cell’s nuclear pores, which are the doors and windows through which critical material in your body flows in and out of the cell’s nucleus. These findings could lead to new treatments of certain cancers, autoimmune diseases and heart conditions.
The nuclear pore and its components.
April 29, 2022
News Feature
How a soil microbe could rev up artificial photosynthesis
Researchers discover that a spot of molecular glue and a timely twist help a bacterial enzyme convert carbon dioxide into carbon compounds 20 times faster than plant enzymes do during photosynthesis. The results stand to accelerate progress toward converting carbon dioxide into a variety of products.
An illustration shows the pocket in an enzyme called ECR where the carbon fixing reaction takes place.
February 10, 2022
News Brief
Molecular cage gives cryo-EM researchers new insights into a cancer protein
Sandwiching wiggly proteins between two other layers allows scientists to get the most detailed images yet of a protein that’s key to the spread of acute myeloid leukemia.
Red molecules are sandwiched between a blue inner shell and purple outer shell.
December 16, 2021
News Brief
Room-temperature crystallography aids new study of photosynthetic bacteria
Recently developed methods now in use at SLAC’s X-ray synchrotron helped a team of chemists better understand how certain bacteria turn light into chemical energy.
A diagram of a protein molecule with white spirals and multicolored webs indicating key parts of the molecule.
November 16, 2021
News Feature
Bucket brigades and proton gates: Researchers shed new light on water’s role in photosynthesis
A better understanding of this process could inform the next generation of artificial photosynthetic systems that produce clean and renewable energy.
water droplets on plant
November 4, 2021
News Feature
Researchers probe secrets of natural antibiotic assembly lines
In two new papers, researchers used X-ray crystallography and cryogenic electron microscopy to reveal new details of the structure and function of molecular assembly lines that produce common antibiotics.
A model of the Lsd14 molecule
October 14, 2021
News Feature
Rule-following molecules provide the first direct confirmation of a half-century-old theory
The results could lead to a better understanding of reactions with vital roles in chemistry and biology.
UED conformers
October 13, 2021
News Brief
SSRL and LCLS Host 2021 Users’ Meeting
Scientists who perform experiments at SLAC’s lightsources gathered online for research talks, workshops and discussions.
Aerial view of industrial-looking research buildings
September 30, 2021
News Feature
Scientists capture the fleeting transition of water into a highly reactive state
This is the first direct observation of a hydroxyl-hydronium complex – important for a wide range of chemical and biological processes from the tails of comets to cancer treatment.
ued ionized water
September 16, 2021
News Feature
SLAC’s Riti Sarangi wins 2021 Farrel W. Lytle Award
The award recognizes her research and service at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource.

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