Introduction

Welcome to the Autumn issue of Diamond News. As the summer of “brief sunny intervals” draws to a close, here at Diamond we are gearing up to welcome more keen external users on the 13 operational beamlines that we currently have, while at the same time working hard on the five additional beamlines that will come on-line between now and next spring.

In this issue, we report on the latest science to come out of the facility, both from external users and the scientists who are based here at Diamond. Highlights include the 100th protein structure solved at the facility, new research into the role of zinc in breast cancer, our in-house high pressure achievements with the noble gas xenon and studies that put us on track for new magnetic phenomena and materials.

Congratulations go to Prof. So Iwata, director of the Membrane Protein Laboratory, who has been awarded the first Diamond Fellowship of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). We also give you our regular update on Phase II beamlines. This time around this includes the groundbreaking for the 250 metre long X-ray Imaging and Coherence beamline (I13), an update on our second spectroscopy beamline (I20) and exciting developments on the facility’s first infrared beamline, B22.

On a less positive note, science has not been immune to the current economic crisis. As always, Diamond is keeping a watchful eye on costs, getting the best value for money, whilst ensuring that the users get the support they require.

Printed copies of Diamond News are available on request, just email silvana.damerell@diamond.ac.uk.

Silvana is also keen to hear from users who are interested in highlighting their work in future issues of Diamond News!

We do hope you enjoy this issue.

Warm regards from the Communications Team