# Structural Dynamics at LCLS

> **NIH NIH P41** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $442,525

## Abstract

ABSTRACT: TR&D-3
TR&D-3 will focus on automating the LCLS structural biology experiment, using injector-based
sample delivery, streamlining the process of solving new structures, and examining dynamic
processes of biomolecules using mixing injectors and photo-excitation to trigger reactions.
Significant effort is required to fully automate the LCLS experiment that requires the addition of
new controls and feedback sensors combined with adept implementation of advanced algorithms
to monitor the experiment and make corrections or flag for intervention when appropriate. The
extremely effective MC beam lines at SR sources show what decades of innovation in these areas
can accomplish. The SSRL SMB program is experienced in experimental automation and were
the first SR beamlines in the world to offer a remote-access program to SR users, establishing a
new paradigm for SR access and structural genomic. TR&D-3 intends to duplicate the successes
at SR sources in automation, and achieve similar accomplishments at LCLS, including automated
sample delivery, data collection, data analysis and feedback for experiments at room temperature.
Shorter times to collect datasets with real time feedback of data quality and completeness (and
in the case of time resolved experiments, difference data metrics) will allow more structures to be
determined, which in turn will allow users measuring a dynamic process, such as an enzymatic
reaction, to get a more complete structural time series. More effective and, consequently, shorter
data collection times will also allow more samples, users and access to the unique capabilities of
LCLS leading to a broader scientific impact in biomedical applications.
With the study of dynamics under near physiological conditions being at the core of LCLS
applications, this TR&D will provide enhanced visible light excitation capabilities and injector
alignment to support time resolved studies, including the use of mixing injectors and laser
illumination to trigger reactions. The use of laser-released caged compounds will drive dynamics
studies of GPCRs and RNA polymerase-II. Laser-induced temperature jump capabilities will drive
the goal of understanding protein dynamics by exciting them out of equilibrium and tracking the
time-evolution of the system. Overall, TR&D-3 will aim to achieve the scientific goals of all the
DBPs through improved reliability and automation of the entire experimental process.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10089011
- **Project number:** 1P41GM139687-01
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Sebastien Boutet
- **Activity code:** P41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $442,525
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-04-01 → 2026-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10089011

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10089011, Structural Dynamics at LCLS (1P41GM139687-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10089011. Licensed CC0.

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