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Tracking Living Cells as They Differentiate in Real Time

Berkeley Lab and University of California researchers have developed a new technique for monitoring protein phosphorylation inside single living cells, enabling them to follow live cellular chemical changes without bias and without harming the cells. Read more »PPT-icon-35 PDF-icon-35

ALS Ceramics Materials Research Advances Engine Performance

LBNL senior materials scientist and UC Berkeley professor Rob Ritchie has been researching the fracture behavior of a wide array of materials for the past 40 years, the last ten of them using the facilities at the ALS. From human bone to synthetic engineering materials such as shape-memory metals and composites, Ritchie has illuminated groundbreaking cracking patterns and the underlying mechanistic processes using the x-ray synchrotron micro-tomography at ALS Beamline 8.3.2.

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Industry Group Learns About Light Source Opportunities

The Silicon Valley Leadership Group hosted a meeting to introduce its members to the area’s light sources and how they help advance innovation and promote economic competitiveness. The event was sponsored by Congresswomen Zoe Lofgren and Anna Eshoo together with Berkeley Lab (LBNL) and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Read more »

Industry Expert Helps ALS Scientists Craft Relevant Research

Steve Harris has worked for U.S. auto manufacturers for the past 30 years as a research scientist, testing and investigating various promising materials and technologies. As a result, Harris knows a thing or two about what the industry values. Harris is now at the ALS as a visiting scientist, sharing his insight and knowledge with ALS staff scientists working on battery research. Their results could help drive the future of battery-powered transportation in this country.

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Structural Biology Helps Drug Discovery

Last year, drug discovery company Plexxikon made front-page news with its highly successful anti-cancer drug, Zelboraf, a product that was chemically optimized using data from ALS x-rays. Designed to disrupt malignant melanoma, the drug was so successful in human testing that trials were halted so that patients in the trial could all be given Zelboraf. Zelboraf marked a significant advancement for patients with metastatic melanoma who historically have had very limited treatment options.
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Wine, Water, and X-Ray Tomography

ALS user Andrew McElrone’s research on grapevine rootstock water transport physiology is key to the future of California’s grape-growing industry. The plant biologist’s ultimate goal is to develop sustainable water use strategies for growers, giving them hard data about how much drought their plants can sustain and which species are ideal for an agricultural future with an uncertain water supply.

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May 15, 2012

Tuesday, May 15 @ 12 noon in USB 15-253   Spinning Spins: Which Direction Will They Point To?Peter Fischer, Center for X-Ray Optics; Beamline 6.1.2         Molecular Mechanisms of Chaperonins: What Happens When Proteins Need a Time-OutCorie Ralston, Berkeley Center for Structural Biology; Beamline 8.2.1 & 8.2.2         Using theRead More Read more »

March 20, 2012

Tuesday, March 20 @ 12 noon, in USB 15-253    Criegee Intermediates: Unlocking the Black Box of Atmospheric and Autoignition ChemistryDavid Osborn, Sandia; Beamline 9.0.2       Taking a Hard Look at Soft X-Ray ScatteringCheng Weng, ALS; Beamline 11.0.1.2       Matter: Warm and DenseRoger Falcone, ALS Read more »

Roger Falcone, Director’s Address

I welcome all members of the ALS community back for a new year. We had a fine 2011 that included an excellent review by the Department of Energy as well as the launching of a number of new activities. We are starting 2012 with the promise of healthy funding for both user operations and machineRead More Read more »