Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
SSRL user operations are suspended through at least May 4. Contact the User Office if you have questions about how this impacts your experiments, and see SLAC Emergency for site information.
In support of COVID-19 related research
SSRL has as of March 23 resumed operation, under minimum operations mode, only for remote-access research and to support critical COVID-19 related work.
We are currently supporting remote access experiments at SSRL Structural Molecular Biology macromolecular crystallography beam lines BL12-2 and BL9-2, and small-angle x-ray scattering (BioSAXS) at BL4-2, with fast access through our Rapid Access Proposal mechanism.
Please refer to the instructions for submitting a Rapid Access proposal for COVID-19 related studies. For administrative questions contact the SSRL User Research Administration office (link sends e-mail).
The Stanford-SLAC Cryo-EM research facilities are also operational for COVID-19 related research, see Stanford-SLAC Cryo-EM Center (S2C2) and National Center for Macromolecular Imaging (NCMI).
Department of Energy Basic Energy Sciences light sources want to ensure they are doing everything possible to enable research into this virus and the search for an effective vaccine or other treatment. The DOE supports research into structural biology in partnership with the National Institutes of Health, and other partners. This portal collects relevant structural biology resources in a single location, listing their basic characteristics and a point of contact for each (link is external)
Macromolecular Crystallography
The SMB macromolecular crystallography (MC) program is a major experimental driver for structural biology research, serving the needs of a large number of academic and biotech groups working in this area, particularly in the Western U.S, developing, providing and supporting cutting-edge technologies for a wide-range of user applications.
Small Angle X-ray Scattering
X-ray scattering from partially ordered arrays of biomolecules typically provides low-resolution (≥ 7-10 Å) structural information under biologically relevant conditions. Studies are relatively fast, require small quantities of material and are well-suited for time resolved measurements. Applications range from conformational change to folding intermediate studies.
X-ray Spectroscopy & Imaging
Metal ions have key roles in biological structure and function - from being active sites of many enzymes to having roles in signaling pathways and being key elements of cancer chemotherapies and disease-related biological malfunctions. Synchrotron x-ray spectroscopies are a key tool in determining the geometric and electronic structure of metal centers.
Upcoming Events
New Multi-Technique Proposals (Pilot)
A new Multi-Technique Proposal mechanism has been created for projects that require the use of two or more scientific techniques available at SSRL (both x-ray and electron based). The pilot proposal mechanism will initially cover Small Angle X-ray Scattering, Macromolecular Crystallography and Cryo-Electron Microscopy. A goal is to expand the mechanism in its permanent phase to include additional techniques available at LCLS and spectroscopy and imaging methods at SSRL.
The new pilot proposals will require a thorough justification for the requirement of using two or more techniques. The proposals will be reviewed by an ad hoc Proposal Review Panel comprised of members from the SSRL SMB and Cryo-EM PRPs. The new proposal template is now available and the first deadline for submission will be July 1.
To get started: Log into User Portal -> Select SSRL as the Facility -> Choose Submit Structural Biology-related Multi-Technique Proposal from SSRL Proposals pulldown menu.
New Proposals & Extension Requests - Due Dates
| Run Period | X-Ray/VUV | Macromolecular Crystallography |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter 1 | May 1 | April 1 |
| Quarter 2 | August 1 | July 1 |
| Quarter 3 | November 1 | December 1 |
Beam Time Requests - Due Dates
| Run Period | X-Ray/VUV | Macromolecular Crystallography |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter 1 | August 1 | Augut 29 |
| Quarter 2 | November 1 | January 14 |
| Quarter 3 | February 1 | April 18 |