# Structural Dynamics at LCLS

> **NIH NIH P41** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $232,955

## Abstract

ABSTRACT: TR&D-2
TR&D-2 tackles the challenges of sample delivery for data collection at the LCLS X-ray FEL. High
intensity X-ray FEL beams used to probe sample structure will destroy the sample after exposure
to a single X-ray pulse. As a result, experiments at LCLS require a sample delivery system that
can replace the damaged sample between every X-ray pulse. Crystal injectors were the first
crystal delivery method used for serial femtosecond diffraction and are commonly used at X-ray
FEL facilities because they can efficiently deliver a large number of crystals, reduce background
scattering and enable new classes of time resolved studies. Sample injectors produce a thin
stream of crystals (or sample solution) by ejecting a suspension through a small orifice. X-ray
pulses at a high repetition rate interrogate the crystal stream and a diffraction pattern is produced
each time a crystal and an X-ray pulse coincide. While it is possible to collect serial data at
cryogenic temperatures with rapid scanning fixed target systems, injectors can replenish room
temperature samples at even faster rates. Furthermore, many biomedical problems require the
unique features offered by sample injectors including methods that use rapid mixing to study
biomolecular dynamics.
TR&D-2 focuses on advancing injector-based sample delivery methods to enable research
following the DBP themes, specifically, solving new structures of membrane proteins and other
radiation sensitive biomolecules and enabling the study of protein dynamics including those of
metalloenzymes. This will be achieved via the development of remote access capabilities for data
collection for Lipidic Cubic Phase (LCP) and other viscous media samples, as well as through the
thorough testing and optimization of rapid mixing injectors. TR&D-2 aims to maximize the
efficiency in the use of the unique LCLS beam, promoting greater access to biomedical
community and new scientific discovery.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10089010
- **Project number:** 1P41GM139687-01
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Mark Hunter
- **Activity code:** P41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $232,955
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-04-01 → 2026-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10089010

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10089010, Structural Dynamics at LCLS (1P41GM139687-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10089010. Licensed CC0.

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