small-angle x-ray scattering (saxs) Archives

27 November 2025 The image represents cryo-EM density maps for the two extreme conformational states that the group II intron acquires during folding, through a continuous dynamic movement of its structured helical motifs.

The image represents cryo-EM density maps for the two extreme conformational states that the group II intron acquires during folding, through a continuous dynamic movement of its structured helical motifs.

RNA in action: filming a ribozyme’s self-assembly

Researchers have visualised, in unprecedented detail, how a large RNA molecule assembles itself into a functional machine.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2025

science-technology

27 August 2025 A man is standing next to a bench in a room with experimental equipment.

We are EMBL: Aleksi Sutinen on time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering

Aleksi Sutinen, ARISE Fellow at EMBL Hamburg, supports the users of the EMBL Hamburg beamline P12 dedicated to small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Here, he talks about striving for the best in beamline experiments and new horizons for time-resolved SAXS at EMBL Hamburg.

PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES

2025

people-perspectives

29 January 2025 Several curvy strings, representing protein chains, have glowing balls, representing the labels, attached to each other their ends. The distance between the glowing balls is measured by rulers. A ray of light representing X-rays shines at them from the top left.

Several curvy strings, representing protein chains, have glowing balls, representing the labels, attached to each other their ends. The distance between the glowing balls is measured by rulers. A ray of light representing X-rays shines at them from the top left.

Novel analysis of intrinsically disordered proteins

Researchers from Mainz University and EMBL Hamburg have presented a new approach for assessing the form of disordered proteins by using anomalous X-ray scattering method for structural analysis.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2025

science-technology

21 January 2025 3D representation of a protein complex with fluorescent parasite cells in the background

Structural insights reveal drug target in trypanosome parasites

The Kowalinski group at EMBL Grenoble identified significant differences between the trypanosomal and human nuclear cap-binding complex, a key player in cellular RNA metabolism and a potential target for novel anti-parasitic drugs.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2025

science-technology

10 October 2024 A multi-coloured donut representing the structure of an NPC.

“Structurally” sound

The function of biological molecules is intimately linked to their structure. In the 50 years since EMBL was established, its researchers and engineers have constantly provided leadership in structural biology research and services, resulting in many scientific breakthroughs and novel insights.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2024

science-technology

19 December 2023 Cartoon showing nanoparticles on a conveyer belt passing through a machine. They are ordered by size and the smallest one pass through the machine before the bigger ones. A ray of light enters the machine, where a nanoparticle is being scanned, and leaves it on the other side. A monitor on top of the scanning machine shows an X-ray of a nanoparticle.

Cartoon showing nanoparticles on a conveyer belt passing through a machine. They are ordered by size and the smallest one pass through the machine before the bigger ones. A ray of light enters the machine, where a nanoparticle is being scanned, and leaves it on the other side. A monitor on top of the scanning machine shows an X-ray of a nanoparticle.

‘X-ray vision’ for investigation of mRNA nanomedicines

EMBL Hamburg, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Postnova Analytics GmbH, and BioNTech SE have developed a new method to quantitatively investigate sizes of nanoparticles containing mRNA. It may become an important part of regular characterisation of mRNA nanomedicines in the future.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2023

sciencescience-technology

2 October 2023 Outline of a human, purple against red background. Red RNA strand in the background, electrocardiogram across the image. On the right, outline of a Nobel prize medal.

Outline of a human, purple against red background. Red RNA strand in the background, electrocardiogram across the image. On the right, outline of a Nobel prize medal.

mRNA nanomedicines scoop Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

Pioneers of the mRNA nanomedicines technology receive 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or medicine. EMBL is pleased to have supported the development of the application of the mRNA nanomedicine technology through our long-standing collaboration with BioNTech, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and…

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2023

sciencescience-technology

6 September 2023 A drawing of swordfish and a bubble containing a drawing of a molecular model. Both on blue background representing water.

Swordfish sword under X-rays: SAXS explained

Learn how scientists use bio-SAXS, an experimental X-ray technique, to study the shape and dynamics of proteins and other biomolecules. SAXS can be even used to analyse the structure of mineral particles in the swordfish sword bone, which can help scientists better understand bone ageing.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2023

sciencescience-technology

8 August 2023 Clément Blanchet at the EMBL Hamburg’s P12 beamline’s experimental hutch.

Welcome: Clément Blanchet

Clément Blanchet has been appointed to lead the team working on small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) at EMBL Hamburg. In this interview, he talks his ambitions for the future work of the SAXS Team, his passion for science, and a memorable ‘aha’ moment he had in his early career.

LAB MATTERS PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES

2023

lab-matterspeople-perspectives

3 July 2023 In the foreground: an intrinsically disordered protein, which has a form of a tangled, unstructured string. In the background: a set of parallel curved lines.

In the foreground: an intrinsically disordered protein, which has a form of a tangled, unstructured string. In the background: a set of parallel curved lines.

Bringing research on disordered proteins to order

A third of all known proteins are either completely or partially unstructured. EMBL scientists contributed to a new set of guidelines – Minimum Information About a Disorder Experiment (MIADE) – that will help researchers share data on unstructured proteins in a more useful way and will enable…

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2023

sciencescience-technology

20 April 2023 Photo of a human hand introducing a small element into a machine at the SPC Facility.

EMBL Hamburg joins northern European life science consortium

EMBL Hamburg partners with the Hanseatic Life Science Research Infrastructure Consortium (HALRIC) to enhance life sciences research in Scandinavia and northern Germany. The consortium builds on the HALOS project to foster collaborations between industry, hospitals, and universities, leveraging…

CONNECTIONS LAB MATTERS

2023

connectionslab-matters

7 December 2021

A cartoon image showing a person's arm and a needle with a vaccine being injected into it. The text on the left reads: "EMBL research: How structural biologists at EMBL Hamburg help to develop and improve RNA vaccines"

How structural biology helps to make RNA vaccines

RNA vaccines, such as the ones for COVID-19, represent a new approach in vaccine technology. Cy Jeffries, faculty staff scientist at EMBL Hamburg, explains the clever technology behind RNA vaccines, and how structural biology contributes to its development. EMBL Hamburg collaborated on several…

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2021

sciencescience-technology

8 November 2021 A scientist is carefully handling capilars at the P12 beamline at EMBL Hamburg.

EMBL Hamburg trains future generations of life scientists in using SAXS

Each year, EMBL Hamburg’s Svergun Group offers practical EMBO courses and lecture courses on biological small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The courses provide young scientists an opportunity to gain hands-on experience by measuring their own samples, and by exploring different aspects of SAXS…

LAB MATTERS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2021

lab-mattersscience-technology

15 October 2021 In the middle, there are two molecules of pUL21. One is blurred, to represent the molecule’s flexibility. In the background are two neuronal scenes. The one on the left is healthy and has a smooth surface. The one on the right is infected, which is represented by several green viral particles.

In the middle, there are two molecules of pUL21. One is blurred, to represent the molecule’s flexibility. In the background are two neuronal scenes. The one on the left is healthy and has a smooth surface. The one on the right is infected, which is represented by several green viral particles.

How herpes seizes proteins’ means of production

The Graham and Crump groups at the University of Cambridge and the Svergun Group at EMBL Hamburg have discovered a mechanism by which the herpes simplex virus takes control of the molecular machinery of human cells. Their work reveals how a dedicated viral protein hijacks key host proteins, forcing…

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2021

sciencescience-technology

27 July 2021 Dots of various colour arranged in rectangles. Concentric rings of different colour indicate different distances from the centre of the image.

Dots of various colour arranged in rectangles. Concentric rings of different colour indicate different distances from the centre of the image.

Studying coronavirus proteins using small-angle X-ray scattering at European XFEL

A collaboration led by EMBL Hamburg’s Svergun Group used small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) at the European XFEL to obtain data on samples containing coronavirus spike proteins and antibodies that bind them.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2021

sciencescience-technology

9 July 2021 Melissa Graewert stands in front of steely machine

From antibodies to nanoplastics

EMBL’s Melissa Graewert and colleagues are taking a structural biologist’s approach to better understanding nanoplastic particles.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2021

sciencescience-technology

12 May 2021 The logo of EMBL at PETRA IV is located on the right side of the image. It is a green circle with a curved line in the middle, which symbolises the curve of the synchrotron. The background behind the logo consists of abstract green shapes and multiple 0 and 1 digits.

Shaping the future of structural biology and X-ray imaging at EMBL Hamburg

A workshop run by EMBL Hamburg explored opportunities for structural biology at the future, upgraded PETRA IV synchrotron.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2021

eventsscience-technology

9 April 2021 Brightly coloured cartoon coils are set against a multi-coloured backdrop of small circles

EMBL Hamburg lights the way to folding next-level origami

Using EMBL Hamburg’s world-class structural biology infrastructure, researchers advance the folding of protein ‘origami’ designed in the lab.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2021

sciencescience-technology

1 December 2020 The image shows the beamline P12 at EMBL Hamburg. In the centre, several cylindrical elements are connected into a pipe-like structure. In the front, it is connected to a white box-shaped device, and several smaller devices and cables visible around. There is also a grid visible around the beamline.

The image shows the beamline P12 at EMBL Hamburg. In the centre, several cylindrical elements are connected into a pipe-like structure. In the front, it is connected to a white box-shaped device, and several smaller devices and cables visible around. There is also a grid visible around the beamline.

EMBL facilities support development of RNA vaccines

Biotechnology company BioNTech and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz conduct collaborative research with EMBL scientists at the beamline P12 in Hamburg

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2020

sciencescience-technology

29 July 2020 Screenshot from the online SAXS course. Clement Blanchet, a senior scientist in the Svergun group at EMBL Hamburg, is presenting the P12 SAXS beamline at Petra III to the participants.

Screenshot from the online SAXS course. Clement Blanchet, a senior scientist in the Svergun group at EMBL Hamburg, is presenting the P12 SAXS beamline at Petra III to the participants.

EMBL releases online course on solution scattering from biological macromolecules

The Svergun group at EMBL Hamburg has released the course ‘Solution Scattering from Biological Macromolecules’ in an online format for the first time. The course explores different aspects of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) for studying the structure of macromolecules.

EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS

2020

embl-announcementsevents

17 June 2020 $Crystal selection for X-ray diffraction experiments.$

Investigating the structure and mechanisms of coronavirus biomolecules

While global research on coronaviruses has shed light on the function of many SARS-CoV-2 proteins, the role of some crucial components remains unknown. Researchers at EMBL Grenoble will use a range of structural biology methods to try to solve some of the puzzles of the molecular mechanics of…

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2020

sciencescience-technology

9 June 2020 Beamline Hamburg

Shining high-brilliance beams on coronavirus structure

EMBL researchers are studying COVID-19-related molecules by exposing them to high-brilliance X-ray beams. The Svergun group at EMBL Hamburg is using biological small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) as part of a global effort by scientists to elucidate the structural organisation of SARS-CoV-2…

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2020

sciencescience-technology

28 April 2020 Close-up view of the interior of a protein analytics system

Exploring synthetic antibodies to stop coronavirus

Scientists at EMBL Hamburg and Karolinska Institutet Stockholm aim to find synthetic antibodies – known as nanobodies – that bind a surface protein of the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Nanobodies could prevent the virus from entering human cells and causing COVID-19.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2020

sciencescience-technology

19 December 2019 Before a biological sample reaches the beamline, a lot of work is put into its preparation. Scientists can use the wide range of services and resources at EMBL to prepare their biological samples for structural studies at the X-ray beamlines in Grenoble and Hamburg. Photo: Marietta Schupp/EMBL

Before a biological sample reaches the beamline, a lot of work is put into its preparation. Scientists can use the wide range of services and resources at EMBL to prepare their biological samples for structural studies at the X-ray beamlines in Grenoble and Hamburg. Photo: Marietta Schupp/EMBL

Empowering European structural biology

EU funding for iNEXT-Discovery consortium unlocks key technologies for structural biology

EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS LAB MATTERS

2019

embl-announcementslab-matters

13 September 2018 IMAGE: Manon Boschard

X-rays reveal surprising shape of scaffolding protein

X-ray experiments show that scaffolding protein PDZK1 has a L-shaped conformation

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2018

sciencescience-technology

29 May 2018 Intermediate detection in capsid formation of the lumazine synthase enzyme. CREDIT: Aleksandra Krolik / EMBL

Reconstructing 3D shapes from unmeasurable data

Scientists at EMBL Hamburg determine shapes of intermediate states in dynamic biological systems

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2018

sciencescience-technology

14 September 2015 Erica Valentini. PHOTO: EMBL/Rosemary Wilson

From side-project to valuable resource

Introducing the Small Angle Scattering Biological Data Bank, developed at EMBL Hamburg.

LAB MATTERS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2015

lab-mattersscience-technology

2 July 2015

Building bridges with BioStruct-X

Industrial partners and BioStruct-X facility members gather for Workshop at EMBL Hamburg.

CONNECTIONS

2015

connectionsevents

6 April 2015

Bypassing errors

Coin toss inspires CorMap: a new statistical test that sidesteps need for error estimation.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2015

sciencescience-technology

1 February 2007

New Facility for Structural Biology to investigate the molecules of life with powerful synchrotron radiation

The German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) has awarded 8.8 Million Euro to the Hamburg Outstation of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) for the construction of an Integrated Research Facility for Structural Biology at the new PETRA-III storage ring of the German…

LAB MATTERS

2007

lab-matters

No results found

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small-angle x-ray scattering (saxs)

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