Seminar by: Richard Neutze

University of Gothenburg

Title: Time-resolved structural studies of membrane proteins at synchrotrons and X-ray free electron lasers: opportunities and challenges

Abstract: Conformational dynamics are essential to the correct functioning of virtually all macromolecules expressed in the cell: all reactions involve atomic motion. Although X-ray crystallography has been applied with great success to solve the majority of known macromolecular structures, this method is static: it reveals a structure averaged in both time and space over the numerous conformations of a macromolecule within the crystal.

A key focus of Neutzes group is to develop approaches for investigating dynamics of membrane proteins, with a time-resolution down to picoseconds. In order to reach this goal the group is a heavy user of large international synchrotron and X-ray free electron laser facilities. In his talk, Neutze will present recent results and discuss challenges with the approach.