Probing Strain-Induced Changes in Electronic Structure with XMCD The difference in the lattice constant of a substrate compared to a thin film deposited on top of it or a matrix compared to a nanocolumn embedded in it induces a lattice distortion—i.e., strain—in the nanostructure as compared to the bulk. The strong coupling of electronic propertiesRead More Read more »

Giant Protease TPP II’s Structure, Mechanism Uncovered Tripeptidyl peptidase II, the largest known eukaryotic protease complex, is implicated in numerous cellular processes including the degradation of the endogenous satiety agent cholecystokinin-8, making it a target in the treatment of obesity. To gain insight into this molecular machine’s mechanisms of activation and proteolysis, researchers combined single-particleRead More Read more »

ALS Users’ Meeting 2010: Stimulating Science and Innovation For the nearly 400 attendees, the 2010 ALS Users’ Meeting was a smashing success. In his opening remarks, Users’ Executive Committee Chair David Osborn thanked co-chairs Hendrik Bluhm and Brandy Toner for what was to be an enjoyable and stimulating conference. ALS Director Roger Falcone opened theRead More Read more »

Register Now for the ALS Users’ Meeting: Agenda Online, Details Here The ALS Users’ Meeting is less than one month away, and we have an exciting program this year. In addition to a talk by ALS Director Roger Falcone, we’ll get an update on the Department of Energy’s Office of Basic Energy Sciences from Dr.Read More Read more »

Real-Time Chemical Imaging of Bacterial Biofilm Development Almost all bacteria can form biofilms–dynamic communities of cells enclosed in self-produced matrices of polymers. Coordinated collectively, these bacteria defend against antagonists, break down recalcitrant materials, and produce biofuels. Researchers from Berkeley Lab, Lawrence Livermore National Lab, and UC Berkeley have developed a robust and label-free method toRead More Read more »

Irradiation Effects on Human Cortical Bone Fracture Behavior The role irradiation plays in high-exposure bone fracturing experiments, and how it affects the properties of bone tissue, are not fully understood. To better predict fracturing in bone, researchers must understand the role of sustained irradiation damage at different size scales within bone. Using synchrotron radiation microtomographyRead More Read more »

In This Issue First Observation of Plasmarons in Graphene Site-Selective Ionization in Nanoclusters Affects Subsequent Fragmentation Call for General User Proposals and Beam Time Requests: Deadline July 15 Core Shell Spectroscopy Conference Ring Leaders: Deputy Director for Science Announcements: Next Science Café Fri 7/9, Join ALS Facebook, Guest House Special Who’s in the News OperationsRead More Read more »

In This Issue Lensless Imaging of Whole Biological Cells with Soft X-Rays Mechanical Behavior of Indium Nanostructures Meet New Division Deputy for Operations, Michael Banda Students in Uruguay Collect Protein Crystallography Data at the ALS Roger Falcone Attends Prague Workshop via Skype Ring Leaders: Experimental Systems Announcements: Next Science Café Fri 6/25, Guest House SpecialRead More Read more »

In This Issue Rotary Firing in Ring-Shaped Protein Explains Unidirectionality Biomimetic Dye Molecules for Solar Cells Photon Science for Renewable Energy: A News ALS Brochure Everything You Wanted To Know About ALS Proposals, Beam Time Allocations ALS Science Cafés Successful, Continue VUVX 2010 Conference Update Ring Leaders: Scientific Support Group Announcements: Vogue Shines Light onRead More Read more »

In This Issue ALS Social Media is Here Structures of the Ribosome in Intermediate States of Ratcheting Structure Illuminates Mechanism of Fungal Polyketide Cyclization New Infrared Beamline 5.4, BSISB Facility Open ALS Controls Upgrade: Meeting the Needs of a Growing Facility Ring Leaders: Accelerator Operations and Development Announcements: Guest House Special Extended, and VUVX 2010Read More Read more »