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Round A, Jungcheng E, Fortmann-Grote C, Giewekemeyer K, Graceffa R, Kim C, Kirkwood H, Mills G, Round E, Sato T, Pascarelli S, Mancuso A. Characterization of Biological Samples Using Ultra-Short and Ultra-Bright XFEL Pulses. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 3234:141-162. [PMID: 38507205 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-52193-5_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
The advent of X-ray Free Electron Lasers (XFELs) has ushered in a transformative era in the field of structural biology, materials science, and ultrafast physics. These state-of-the-art facilities generate ultra-bright, femtosecond-long X-ray pulses, allowing researchers to delve into the structure and dynamics of molecular systems with unprecedented temporal and spatial resolutions. The unique properties of XFEL pulses have opened new avenues for scientific exploration that were previously considered unattainable. One of the most notable applications of XFELs is in structural biology. Traditional X-ray crystallography, while instrumental in determining the structures of countless biomolecules, often requires large, high-quality crystals and may not capture highly transient states of proteins. XFELs, with their ability to produce diffraction patterns from nanocrystals or even single particles, have provided solutions to these challenges. XFEL has expanded the toolbox of structural biologists by enabling structural determination approaches such as Single Particle Imaging (SPI) and Serial X-ray Crystallography (SFX). Despite their remarkable capabilities, the journey of XFELs is still in its nascent stages, with ongoing advancements aimed at improving their coherence, pulse duration, and wavelength tunability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Chan Kim
- European XFEL, Schenefeld, Germany
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2
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Zhang H, Li F, Song H, Liu Y, Huang L, Zhao S, Xiong Z, Wang Z, Dong Y, Liu H. Random Silica-Glass Microlens Arrays Based on the Molding Technology of Photocurable Nanocomposites. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:19230-19240. [PMID: 37039331 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c02040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Random microlens arrays (rMLAs) have been widely applied as a beam-shaping component within an optical system. Silica glass is undoubtedly the best choice for rMLAs because of its wide range of spectra with high transmission and high damage threshold. Yet, machining silica glass with user-defined shapes is still challenging. In this work, novel design and fabrication methods of random silica-glass microlens arrays (rSMLAs) are proposed and a detailed investigation of this technology is presented. Based on the molding technology, the fabricated rSMLAs with tunable divergent angles demonstrate superior physical properties with 1.81 nm roughness, 1074.33 HV hardness, and excellent thermal stability at 1250 °C for 3 h. Meanwhile, their characterized optical performance shows a high transmission of over 90% in the ultraviolet spectrum. The fabricated two types of rSMLAs exhibit excellent effects of beam homogenization with surprising energy utilization (more than 90%) and light spot uniformity (more than 80%). This innovative process paves a new route for fabricating rMLAs on solid silica glass and breaking down the barrier of rMLAs to broader applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhang
- Center for Advanced Optoelectronic Functional Materials Research, and Key Laboratory for UV Emitting Materials and Technology of Ministry of Education, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Physics Education, Northeast Normal University, 5268 Renmin Street, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Feng Li
- Center for Advanced Optoelectronic Functional Materials Research, and Key Laboratory for UV Emitting Materials and Technology of Ministry of Education, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Physics Education, Northeast Normal University, 5268 Renmin Street, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Huiying Song
- Center for Advanced Optoelectronic Functional Materials Research, and Key Laboratory for UV Emitting Materials and Technology of Ministry of Education, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Physics Education, Northeast Normal University, 5268 Renmin Street, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Yuqing Liu
- Center for Advanced Optoelectronic Functional Materials Research, and Key Laboratory for UV Emitting Materials and Technology of Ministry of Education, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Physics Education, Northeast Normal University, 5268 Renmin Street, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Long Huang
- Center for Advanced Optoelectronic Functional Materials Research, and Key Laboratory for UV Emitting Materials and Technology of Ministry of Education, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Physics Education, Northeast Normal University, 5268 Renmin Street, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Shaoqing Zhao
- Center for Advanced Optoelectronic Functional Materials Research, and Key Laboratory for UV Emitting Materials and Technology of Ministry of Education, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Physics Education, Northeast Normal University, 5268 Renmin Street, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Zheng Xiong
- Corning Research & Development Corporation, 1 Riverfront Plaza, Corning, New York 14831, United States
| | - Zhengxiao Wang
- High School Attached to Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Yongjun Dong
- Center for Advanced Optoelectronic Functional Materials Research, and Key Laboratory for UV Emitting Materials and Technology of Ministry of Education, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Physics Education, Northeast Normal University, 5268 Renmin Street, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Hua Liu
- Center for Advanced Optoelectronic Functional Materials Research, and Key Laboratory for UV Emitting Materials and Technology of Ministry of Education, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Physics Education, Northeast Normal University, 5268 Renmin Street, Changchun 130024, China
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Barends TR, Stauch B, Cherezov V, Schlichting I. Serial femtosecond crystallography. NATURE REVIEWS. METHODS PRIMERS 2022; 2:59. [PMID: 36643971 PMCID: PMC9833121 DOI: 10.1038/s43586-022-00141-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
With the advent of X-ray Free Electron Lasers (XFELs), new, high-throughput serial crystallography techniques for macromolecular structure determination have emerged. Serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) and related methods provide possibilities beyond canonical, single-crystal rotation crystallography by mitigating radiation damage and allowing time-resolved studies with unprecedented temporal resolution. This primer aims to assist structural biology groups with little or no experience in serial crystallography planning and carrying out a successful SFX experiment. It discusses the background of serial crystallography and its possibilities. Microcrystal growth and characterization methods are discussed, alongside techniques for sample delivery and data processing. Moreover, it gives practical tips for preparing an experiment, what to consider and do during a beamtime and how to conduct the final data analysis. Finally, the Primer looks at various applications of SFX, including structure determination of membrane proteins, investigation of radiation damage-prone systems and time-resolved studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R.M. Barends
- Department for Biological Mechanisms, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Stauch
- Department of Chemistry, The Bridge Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Vadim Cherezov
- Department of Chemistry, The Bridge Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ilme Schlichting
- Department for Biological Mechanisms, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany,
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4
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Vakili M, Bielecki J, Knoška J, Otte F, Han H, Kloos M, Schubert R, Delmas E, Mills G, de Wijn R, Letrun R, Dold S, Bean R, Round A, Kim Y, Lima FA, Dörner K, Valerio J, Heymann M, Mancuso AP, Schulz J. 3D printed devices and infrastructure for liquid sample delivery at the European XFEL. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2022; 29:331-346. [PMID: 35254295 PMCID: PMC8900844 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577521013370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The Sample Environment and Characterization (SEC) group of the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser (EuXFEL) develops sample delivery systems for the various scientific instruments, including systems for the injection of liquid samples that enable serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography (SFX) and single-particle imaging (SPI) experiments, among others. For rapid prototyping of various device types and materials, sub-micrometre precision 3D printers are used to address the specific experimental conditions of SFX and SPI by providing a large number of devices with reliable performance. This work presents the current pool of 3D printed liquid sample delivery devices, based on the two-photon polymerization (2PP) technique. These devices encompass gas dynamic virtual nozzles (GDVNs), mixing-GDVNs, high-viscosity extruders (HVEs) and electrospray conical capillary tips (CCTs) with highly reproducible geometric features that are suitable for time-resolved SFX and SPI experiments at XFEL facilities. Liquid sample injection setups and infrastructure on the Single Particles, Clusters, and Biomolecules and Serial Femtosecond Crystallography (SPB/SFX) instrument are described, this being the instrument which is designated for biological structure determination at the EuXFEL.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Juraj Knoška
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science (CFEL), Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Notkestrasse 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Florian Otte
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
- Department of Physics, TU Dortmund, Otto-Hahn-Straße 4, 44221 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Huijong Han
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
| | - Marco Kloos
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
| | | | - Elisa Delmas
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
| | - Grant Mills
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
| | | | - Romain Letrun
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
| | - Simon Dold
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
| | - Richard Bean
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
| | - Adam Round
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Yoonhee Kim
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
| | | | | | - Joana Valerio
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
| | - Michael Heymann
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomolecular Systems (IBBS), University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Adrian P. Mancuso
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS), La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
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5
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Nass Kovacs G. Potential of X-ray free-electron lasers for challenging targets in structure-based drug discovery. DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY. TECHNOLOGIES 2021; 39:101-110. [PMID: 34906320 DOI: 10.1016/j.ddtec.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
X-ray crystallography has provided the vast majority of three-dimensional macromolecular structures. Most of these are high-resolution structures that enable a detailed understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms. The standardized workflows and robust infrastructure of synchrotron-based macromolecular crystallography (MX) offer the high throughput essential to cost-conscious investigations in structure- and fragment-based drug discovery. Nonetheless conventional MX is limited by fundamental bottlenecks, in particular X-ray radiation damage, which limits the amount of data extractable from a crystal. While this limit can in principle be circumvented by using larger crystals, crystals of the requisite size often cannot be obtained in sufficient quality. That is especially true for membrane protein crystals, which constitute the majority of current drug targets. This conventional paradigm for MX-suitable samples changed dramatically with the advent of serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) based on the ultra-short and extremely intense X-ray pulses of X-ray Free-Electron Lasers. SFX provides high-resolution structures from tiny crystals and does so with uniquely low levels of radiation damage. This has yielded a number of novel structures for G-protein coupled receptors, one of the most relevant membrane protein superfamilies for drug discovery, as well as tantalizing advances in time-resolved crystallography that elucidate protein dynamics. This article attempts to map the potential of SFX for drug discovery, while providing the reader with an overview of the yet remaining technical challenges associated with such a novel technique as SFX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Nass Kovacs
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstr. 29, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.
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6
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Grünbein ML, Gorel A, Foucar L, Carbajo S, Colocho W, Gilevich S, Hartmann E, Hilpert M, Hunter M, Kloos M, Koglin JE, Lane TJ, Lewandowski J, Lutman A, Nass K, Nass Kovacs G, Roome CM, Sheppard J, Shoeman RL, Stricker M, van Driel T, Vetter S, Doak RB, Boutet S, Aquila A, Decker FJ, Barends TRM, Stan CA, Schlichting I. Effect of X-ray free-electron laser-induced shockwaves on haemoglobin microcrystals delivered in a liquid jet. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1672. [PMID: 33723266 PMCID: PMC7960726 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21819-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) enable obtaining novel insights in structural biology. The recently available MHz repetition rate XFELs allow full data sets to be collected in shorter time and can also decrease sample consumption. However, the microsecond spacing of MHz XFEL pulses raises new challenges, including possible sample damage induced by shock waves that are launched by preceding pulses in the sample-carrying jet. We explored this matter with an X-ray-pump/X-ray-probe experiment employing haemoglobin microcrystals transported via a liquid jet into the XFEL beam. Diffraction data were collected using a shock-wave-free single-pulse scheme as well as the dual-pulse pump-probe scheme. The latter, relative to the former, reveals significant degradation of crystal hit rate, diffraction resolution and data quality. Crystal structures extracted from the two data sets also differ. Since our pump-probe attributes were chosen to emulate EuXFEL operation at its 4.5 MHz maximum pulse rate, this prompts concern about such data collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Luise Grünbein
- grid.414703.50000 0001 2202 0959Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alexander Gorel
- grid.414703.50000 0001 2202 0959Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lutz Foucar
- grid.414703.50000 0001 2202 0959Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sergio Carbajo
- grid.445003.60000 0001 0725 7771SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA USA
| | - William Colocho
- grid.445003.60000 0001 0725 7771SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA USA
| | - Sasha Gilevich
- grid.445003.60000 0001 0725 7771SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA USA
| | - Elisabeth Hartmann
- grid.414703.50000 0001 2202 0959Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mario Hilpert
- grid.414703.50000 0001 2202 0959Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mark Hunter
- grid.445003.60000 0001 0725 7771SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA USA
| | - Marco Kloos
- grid.414703.50000 0001 2202 0959Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.434729.f0000 0004 0590 2900Present Address: European XFEL GmbH, Schenefeld, Germany
| | - Jason E. Koglin
- grid.445003.60000 0001 0725 7771SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA USA ,grid.148313.c0000 0004 0428 3079Present Address: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM USA
| | - Thomas J. Lane
- grid.445003.60000 0001 0725 7771SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA USA ,grid.466493.a0000 0004 0390 1787Present Address: Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, DESY, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jim Lewandowski
- grid.445003.60000 0001 0725 7771SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA USA
| | - Alberto Lutman
- grid.445003.60000 0001 0725 7771SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA USA
| | - Karol Nass
- grid.414703.50000 0001 2202 0959Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.5991.40000 0001 1090 7501Present Address: Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Gabriela Nass Kovacs
- grid.414703.50000 0001 2202 0959Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christopher M. Roome
- grid.414703.50000 0001 2202 0959Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - John Sheppard
- grid.445003.60000 0001 0725 7771SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA USA
| | - Robert L. Shoeman
- grid.414703.50000 0001 2202 0959Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Miriam Stricker
- grid.414703.50000 0001 2202 0959Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Present Address: Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Tim van Driel
- grid.445003.60000 0001 0725 7771SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA USA
| | - Sharon Vetter
- grid.445003.60000 0001 0725 7771SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA USA
| | - R. Bruce Doak
- grid.414703.50000 0001 2202 0959Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sébastien Boutet
- grid.445003.60000 0001 0725 7771SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA USA
| | - Andrew Aquila
- grid.445003.60000 0001 0725 7771SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA USA
| | - Franz Josef Decker
- grid.445003.60000 0001 0725 7771SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA USA
| | - Thomas R. M. Barends
- grid.414703.50000 0001 2202 0959Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claudiu Andrei Stan
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Department of Physics, Rutgers University Newark, Newark, NJ USA
| | - Ilme Schlichting
- grid.414703.50000 0001 2202 0959Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, Heidelberg, Germany
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Dynamic Structural Biology Experiments at XFEL or Synchrotron Sources. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2305:203-228. [PMID: 33950392 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1406-8_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Macromolecular crystallography (MX) leverages the methods of physics and the language of chemistry to reveal fundamental insights into biology. Often beautifully artistic images present MX results to support profound functional hypotheses that are vital to entire life science research community. Over the past several decades, synchrotrons around the world have been the workhorses for X-ray diffraction data collection at many highly automated beamlines. The newest tools include X-ray-free electron lasers (XFELs) located at facilities in the USA, Japan, Korea, Switzerland, and Germany that deliver about nine orders of magnitude higher brightness in discrete femtosecond long pulses. At each of these facilities, new serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) strategies exploit slurries of micron-size crystals by rapidly delivering individual crystals into the XFEL X-ray interaction region, from which one diffraction pattern is collected per crystal before it is destroyed by the intense X-ray pulse. Relatively simple adaptions to SFX methods produce time-resolved data collection strategies wherein reactions are triggered by visible light illumination or by chemical diffusion/mixing. Thus, XFELs provide new opportunities for high temporal and spatial resolution studies of systems engaged in function at physiological temperature. In this chapter, we summarize various issues related to microcrystal slurry preparation, sample delivery into the X-ray interaction region, and some emerging strategies for time-resolved SFX data collection.
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8
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First Experiments in Structural Biology at the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app10103642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Ultrabright pulses produced in X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) offer new possibilities for industry and research, particularly for biochemistry and pharmaceuticals. The unprecedented brilliance of these next-generation sources enables structure determination from sub-micron crystals as well as radiation-sensitive proteins. The European X-Ray Free-Electron Laser (EuXFEL), with its first light in 2017, ushered in a new era for ultrabright X-ray sources by providing an unparalleled megahertz-pulse repetition rate, with orders of magnitude more pulses per second than previous XFEL sources. This rapid pulse frequency has significant implications for structure determination; not only will data collection be faster (resulting in more structures per unit time), but experiments requiring large quantities of data, such as time-resolved structures, become feasible in a reasonable amount of experimental time. Early experiments at the SPB/SFX instrument of the EuXFEL demonstrate how such closely-spaced pulses can be successfully implemented in otherwise challenging experiments, such as time-resolved studies.
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9
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Xue L, Pang Y, Liu W, Liu L, Pang H, Cao A, Shi L, Fu Y, Deng Q. Fabrication of Random Microlens Array for Laser Beam Homogenization with High Efficiency. MICROMACHINES 2020; 11:mi11030338. [PMID: 32214035 PMCID: PMC7142910 DOI: 10.3390/mi11030338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The miniaturized and integrated microlens array (MLA) can effectively achieve the beam homogenization, compactness and miniaturization of laser systems. When the high-coherence laser beam is homogenized by means of using the MLA, interference fringes will occur in the homogenized light spot due to the periodicity of the MLA, which seriously affects the uniformity of the homogenized light spot. To solve this problem, a novel random microlens array (rMLA) structure was proposed for the purpose of achieving beam homogenization. The coherence in the homogenization process is suppressed by means of breaking the periodicity of the MLA. The homogenized light spot with a high energy utilization is then obtained accordingly. In the fabrication process, a clever method of combining chemical etching with lithography technology is performed to fabricate a honeycomb rMLA and a rectangular rMLA. The experimental results show that the energy utilization rate of the two types of the rMLAs is about 90%, and the uniformity of the homogenized light spots generated by the honeycomb rMLA and the rectangular rMLA are more than 80% and 85%, respectively. Meanwhile, fully cost-effective fabrication is possible to be realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Xue
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China; (L.X.); (W.L.)
- Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610209, China; (Y.P.); (L.L.); (H.P.); (Q.D.)
| | - Yingfei Pang
- Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610209, China; (Y.P.); (L.L.); (H.P.); (Q.D.)
| | - Wenjing Liu
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China; (L.X.); (W.L.)
- Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610209, China; (Y.P.); (L.L.); (H.P.); (Q.D.)
| | - Liwei Liu
- Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610209, China; (Y.P.); (L.L.); (H.P.); (Q.D.)
| | - Hui Pang
- Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610209, China; (Y.P.); (L.L.); (H.P.); (Q.D.)
| | - Axiu Cao
- Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610209, China; (Y.P.); (L.L.); (H.P.); (Q.D.)
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (L.S.); (Y.F.); Tel.: +86-028-8510-1178 (A.C. and L.S.); +86-152-0834-0157 (Y.F.)
| | - Lifang Shi
- Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610209, China; (Y.P.); (L.L.); (H.P.); (Q.D.)
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (L.S.); (Y.F.); Tel.: +86-028-8510-1178 (A.C. and L.S.); +86-152-0834-0157 (Y.F.)
| | - Yongqi Fu
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China; (L.X.); (W.L.)
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (L.S.); (Y.F.); Tel.: +86-028-8510-1178 (A.C. and L.S.); +86-152-0834-0157 (Y.F.)
| | - Qiling Deng
- Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610209, China; (Y.P.); (L.L.); (H.P.); (Q.D.)
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10
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Knoška J, Adriano L, Awel S, Beyerlein KR, Yefanov O, Oberthuer D, Peña Murillo GE, Roth N, Sarrou I, Villanueva-Perez P, Wiedorn MO, Wilde F, Bajt S, Chapman HN, Heymann M. Ultracompact 3D microfluidics for time-resolved structural biology. Nat Commun 2020; 11:657. [PMID: 32005876 PMCID: PMC6994545 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14434-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
To advance microfluidic integration, we present the use of two-photon additive manufacturing to fold 2D channel layouts into compact free-form 3D fluidic circuits with nanometer precision. We demonstrate this technique by tailoring microfluidic nozzles and mixers for time-resolved structural biology at X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs). We achieve submicron jets with speeds exceeding 160 m s-1, which allows for the use of megahertz XFEL repetition rates. By integrating an additional orifice, we implement a low consumption flow-focusing nozzle, which is validated by solving a hemoglobin structure. Also, aberration-free in operando X-ray microtomography is introduced to study efficient equivolumetric millisecond mixing in channels with 3D features integrated into the nozzle. Such devices can be printed in minutes by locally adjusting print resolution during fabrication. This technology has the potential to permit ultracompact devices and performance improvements through 3D flow optimization in all fields of microfluidic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juraj Knoška
- CFEL, Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Physics, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Luigi Adriano
- DESY, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron, Notkestrasse 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
- EuXFEL, Sample Environment & Characterization Group, European XFEL Holzkoppel 4, 22869, Schenefeld, Germany
| | - Salah Awel
- CFEL, Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
- CUI, Center for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, 22761, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kenneth R Beyerlein
- CFEL, Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Hamburg, 22761, Germany
| | - Oleksandr Yefanov
- CFEL, Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dominik Oberthuer
- CFEL, Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gisel E Peña Murillo
- CFEL, Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Physics, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nils Roth
- CFEL, Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Physics, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Iosifina Sarrou
- CFEL, Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Pablo Villanueva-Perez
- CFEL, Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
- Synchrotron Radiation Research, Lund University, Box 118, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden
| | - Max O Wiedorn
- CFEL, Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Physics, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Fabian Wilde
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Institut für Werkstoffforschung, Max-Planck-Straße. 1, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Saša Bajt
- DESY, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron, Notkestrasse 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Henry N Chapman
- CFEL, Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany.
- Department of Physics, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761, Hamburg, Germany.
- CUI, Center for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, 22761, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Michael Heymann
- CFEL, Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany.
- IBBS, Institut für Biomaterialien und Biomolekulare Systeme, Universität Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany.
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11
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Mancuso AP, Aquila A, Batchelor L, Bean RJ, Bielecki J, Borchers G, Doerner K, Giewekemeyer K, Graceffa R, Kelsey OD, Kim Y, Kirkwood HJ, Legrand A, Letrun R, Manning B, Lopez Morillo L, Messerschmidt M, Mills G, Raabe S, Reimers N, Round A, Sato T, Schulz J, Signe Takem C, Sikorski M, Stern S, Thute P, Vagovič P, Weinhausen B, Tschentscher T. The Single Particles, Clusters and Biomolecules and Serial Femtosecond Crystallography instrument of the European XFEL: initial installation. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2019; 26:660-676. [PMID: 31074429 PMCID: PMC6510195 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577519003308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The European X-ray Free-Electron Laser (FEL) became the first operational high-repetition-rate hard X-ray FEL with first lasing in May 2017. Biological structure determination has already benefitted from the unique properties and capabilities of X-ray FELs, predominantly through the development and application of serial crystallography. The possibility of now performing such experiments at data rates more than an order of magnitude greater than previous X-ray FELs enables not only a higher rate of discovery but also new classes of experiments previously not feasible at lower data rates. One example is time-resolved experiments requiring a higher number of time steps for interpretation, or structure determination from samples with low hit rates in conventional X-ray FEL serial crystallography. Following first lasing at the European XFEL, initial commissioning and operation occurred at two scientific instruments, one of which is the Single Particles, Clusters and Biomolecules and Serial Femtosecond Crystallography (SPB/SFX) instrument. This instrument provides a photon energy range, focal spot sizes and diagnostic tools necessary for structure determination of biological specimens. The instrumentation explicitly addresses serial crystallography and the developing single particle imaging method as well as other forward-scattering and diffraction techniques. This paper describes the major science cases of SPB/SFX and its initial instrumentation - in particular its optical systems, available sample delivery methods, 2D detectors, supporting optical laser systems and key diagnostic components. The present capabilities of the instrument will be reviewed and a brief outlook of its future capabilities is also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian P. Mancuso
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086, Australia
- Correspondence e-mail:
| | - Andrew Aquila
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Rita Graceffa
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
| | | | - Yoonhee Kim
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
| | | | | | - Romain Letrun
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Grant Mills
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
| | - Steffen Raabe
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
- Center for Free Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nadja Reimers
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
| | - Adam Round
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
| | - Tokushi Sato
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
- Center for Free Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Stephan Stern
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
| | - Prasad Thute
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
| | - Patrik Vagovič
- European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
- Center for Free Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
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12
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Grünbein ML, Nass Kovacs G. Sample delivery for serial crystallography at free-electron lasers and synchrotrons. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2019; 75:178-191. [PMID: 30821706 PMCID: PMC6400261 DOI: 10.1107/s205979831801567x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The high peak brilliance and femtosecond pulse duration of X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) provide new scientific opportunities for experiments in physics, chemistry and biology. In structural biology, one of the major applications is serial femtosecond crystallography. The intense XFEL pulse results in the destruction of any exposed microcrystal, making serial data collection mandatory. This requires a high-throughput serial approach to sample delivery. To this end, a number of such sample-delivery techniques have been developed, some of which have been ported to synchrotron sources, where they allow convenient low-dose data collection at room temperature. Here, the current sample-delivery techniques used at XFEL and synchrotron sources are reviewed, with an emphasis on liquid injection and high-viscosity extrusion, including their application for time-resolved experiments. The challenges associated with sample delivery at megahertz repetition-rate XFELs are also outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Luise Grünbein
- Department of Biomolecular Mechanisms, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gabriela Nass Kovacs
- Department of Biomolecular Mechanisms, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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13
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Doak RB, Nass Kovacs G, Gorel A, Foucar L, Barends TRM, Grünbein ML, Hilpert M, Kloos M, Roome CM, Shoeman RL, Stricker M, Tono K, You D, Ueda K, Sherrell DA, Owen RL, Schlichting I. Crystallography on a chip - without the chip: sheet-on-sheet sandwich. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2018; 74:1000-1007. [PMID: 30289410 PMCID: PMC6173051 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798318011634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Crystallography chips are fixed-target supports consisting of a film (for example Kapton) or wafer (for example silicon) that is processed using semiconductor-microfabrication techniques to yield an array of wells or through-holes in which single microcrystals can be lodged for raster-scan probing. Although relatively expensive to fabricate, chips offer an efficient means of high-throughput sample presentation for serial diffraction data collection at synchrotron or X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) sources. Truly efficient loading of a chip (one microcrystal per well and no wastage during loading) is nonetheless challenging. The wells or holes must match the microcrystal size of interest, requiring that a large stock of chips be maintained. Raster scanning requires special mechanical drives to step the chip rapidly and with micrometre precision from well to well. Here, a `chip-less' adaptation is described that essentially eliminates the challenges of loading and precision scanning, albeit with increased, yet still relatively frugal, sample usage. The device consists simply of two sheets of Mylar with the crystal solution sandwiched between them. This sheet-on-sheet (SOS) sandwich structure has been employed for serial femtosecond crystallography data collection with micrometre-sized crystals at an XFEL. The approach is also well suited to time-resolved pump-probe experiments, in particular for long time delays. The SOS sandwich enables measurements under XFEL beam conditions that would damage conventional chips, as documented here. The SOS sheets hermetically seal the sample, avoiding desiccation of the sample provided that the X-ray beam does not puncture the sheets. This is the case with a synchrotron beam but not with an XFEL beam. In the latter case, desiccation, setting radially outwards from each punched hole, sets lower limits on the speed and line spacing of the raster scan. It is shown that these constraints are easily accommodated.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Bruce Doak
- Department of Biomolecular Mechanisms, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gabriela Nass Kovacs
- Department of Biomolecular Mechanisms, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alexander Gorel
- Department of Biomolecular Mechanisms, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lutz Foucar
- Department of Biomolecular Mechanisms, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas R. M. Barends
- Department of Biomolecular Mechanisms, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marie Luise Grünbein
- Department of Biomolecular Mechanisms, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mario Hilpert
- Department of Biomolecular Mechanisms, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marco Kloos
- Department of Biomolecular Mechanisms, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christopher M. Roome
- Department of Biomolecular Mechanisms, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Robert L. Shoeman
- Department of Biomolecular Mechanisms, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Miriam Stricker
- Department of Biomolecular Mechanisms, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kensuke Tono
- Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI), 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5198, Japan
- RIKEN SPring-8 Center, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan
| | - Daehyun You
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Ueda
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Darren A. Sherrell
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Fermi Avenue, Didcot OX11 0DE, England
| | - Robin L. Owen
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Fermi Avenue, Didcot OX11 0DE, England
| | - Ilme Schlichting
- Department of Biomolecular Mechanisms, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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14
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Megahertz data collection from protein microcrystals at an X-ray free-electron laser. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3487. [PMID: 30154468 PMCID: PMC6113309 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05953-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) enable novel experiments because of their high peak brilliance and femtosecond pulse duration. However, non-superconducting XFELs offer repetition rates of only 10–120 Hz, placing significant demands on beam time and sample consumption. We describe serial femtosecond crystallography experiments performed at the European XFEL, the first MHz repetition rate XFEL, delivering 1.128 MHz X-ray pulse trains at 10 Hz. Given the short spacing between pulses, damage caused by shock waves launched by one XFEL pulse on sample probed by subsequent pulses is a concern. To investigate this issue, we collected data from lysozyme microcrystals, exposed to a ~15 μm XFEL beam. Under these conditions, data quality is independent of whether the first or subsequent pulses of the train were used for data collection. We also analyzed a mixture of microcrystals of jack bean proteins, from which the structure of native, magnesium-containing concanavalin A was determined. The European X-ray free-electron laser (EuXFEL) in Hamburg is the first megahertz (MHz) repetition rate XFEL. Here the authors use lysozyme crystals and microcrystals from jack bean proteins and demonstrate that damage-free high quality data can be collected at a MHz repetition rate.
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