Equipment Description

B21 operates in a fixed camera length configuration (3.6 meters) at 13 keV.

The camera length range is suitable for particles with an R_g < 200 Angstroms. 

B21 can measure a resolution range from 0.0031 to 0.38 Å^-1 using a flux of ~10¹² photons per second and is optimized for solution state SAXS experiments.

We offer three standard data collection methods:

1. Batch mode data collection using the EMBL Arinax sample handling robot.
2. Size-exclusion chromatography coupled SAXS (SEC-SAXS) using an Agilent HPLC system.
3. MPS cell manual mode.

BioSAXS Robot The bioSAXS robot automates a data collection from a user described spreadsheet of samples in either a 96-well plate or a set of PCR strips. Each sample is 30 μL and is stored between 4 and 15 degrees. The samples are loaded into a temperature controlled quartz cell capillary (10 or 100 μm thick) for X-ray scattering measurements.

 Standard bioSAXS experiments using the robot require buffer matching to be performed by the user. For buffer matching, we recommend

1. Dialysis
2. SEC (be sure to collect buffer after 1.2 column volumes have passed)
3. Spin concentrators

Exposure times vary from 0.5 seconds to 5 minutes. Very small particles (< 10 kDa) will require extended exposure times.

 SEC SAXS at B21 Inline SEC SAXS is provided by an Agilent 1200 HPLC system. We offer several columns:

Superose columns operate at comparatively lower pressures, largely composed of conjugated sugars whereas the Shodex columns are higher pressure columns composed of silica. Samples are measured in a specialized cell with ~500x lower background than the bioSAXS robot cell. Please see PDF for further details regarding column performance and expected dilution.  

SAMPLE Cells We maintain a continuous vacuum from the mirror to the kapton window next to the detector.  Bespoke sample cells can be designed that are compatible with the bioSAXS robot. We have cells for doing gels and highly viscous samples.  Please contact PBS for more details.

MALS at B21 B21 operates an 18-angle Wyatt multi-angle light scattering instrument inline with an Agilent HPLC system. Onsite users have access to the instrument, it is fully automated and only requires the user to make a suitable running buffer. The MALS instrument is an excellent, independent method for assessing sample quality through mass and radius-of-hydration estimates.

Syringe Pumps For low throughput experiments, we have two integrated syringe pumps that can be controlled remotely for injection into the sample cell. 

Wet-Laboratory We provide access to a small wet lab providing room-temperature and refrigerated microfuges, a large centrifuge for spin-concentrators, temperature baths and shakers and an Agilent HPLC for onsite, small-scale purifications. Samples can be stored at -80, -20 and 4ºC. B21 can provide access to a biological laboratory for onsite purification of biological mate.

Refeyn Mass Photometer Users are able to access the mass photometer at B21. Mass photometry provides accurate mass measurement of single molecules in a solution, in their native state and without the need for labels. To register interest please email b21@diamond.ac.uk.