Cryo-electron microscope now online

A brand new cryo-electron microscope is now available at Diamond, which brings with it a range of novel capabilities for the user community. The Krios I microscope came online in June as the first of four varied microscopes destined for Diamond’s new electron Bio-Imaging Centre (eBIC).

Strategic funding partnerships

Diamond's CEO Andrew Harrison comments on how strategic partnerships and a long-term view will ensure Diamond delivers optimal return on investment.

"We believe that strategic partnerships between large-scale facilities, universities and industry offer huge potential in terms of leveraging additional funding, manpower and expertise."

Solution State SAXS on B21

B21 is a dedicated X-ray scattering (SAXS) instrument for liquid samples. X-ray studies of samples in the liquid (solution) state are important because nearly all biologically relevant processes occur in a liquid environment.

Rig for high-force testing on I12

Users wanting to study the effect of mechanical loading on large, high strength samples can now use I12’s servohydraulic mechanical test rig. The custom-designed uniaxial device has a capacity of 100 kN, and allows users to conduct in situ high force testing on materials such as steel, cast iron, titanium and superalloys.

Drug discovery with MX fragment screening

The full X-ray screening experiment has now been implemented as a highly streamlined process at the Macromolecular Crystallography beamline I04-1: up to 500 crystals can be soaked and harvested in a day, with data collection taking 24 hours of beamtime (one crystal every three minutes).

New sample-changing robot on I03

Since January, a new robotic sample changer has been operational on beamline I03. The new robot ‘BART’ has improved exchange times, increased sample capacity significantly and is more tightly integrated into the beamline control systems, which means reliability has also improved.