Biophysics Collaborative Access Team
From BTRR
Overview
The Biophysics Collaborative Access Team (BioCAT) has constructed and now operates facilities at Argonne National Laboratory=s Advanced Photon Source as a national research resource for the study of the structure of partially ordered biological molecules, complexes of biomolecules, and cellular structures under conditions similar to those present in living cells and tissues. The goal of research at BioCAT is to determine the detailed structure and mechanism of action of biological systems at the molecular level. The techniques used are X-ray fiber diffraction, X-ray solution scattering, and X-ray microemission and microabsorption spectroscopy, with an emphasis on time-resolved studies and development of novel techniques.
Current Research
X-ray diffraction of biological fibers for study of regulatory mechanisms in various types of muscle, including cardiac muscle, structure of collagenous tissues; viruses; amyloids; and membrane/protein systems. Solution scattering of proteins and nucleic acids; ligand-protein interactions; structure of complexes; time-resolved protein folding. Microemission spectroscopy of cells and tissues to provide elemental maps and spectroscopic information that can be related to neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, or developmental processes. Instrumentation development. Novel detector designs. Improved data acquisition, data evaluation, and robust data analysis methods.
