Science Highlights

2007-2009 MX data archived

To free up space on the primary /data volume we’ve recently created compressed read-only archival filesystems (using the [squashfs](http://squashfs.sourceforge.net/) filesystem if you’re interested) for all MX and SAXS data collected at the SIBYLS beamline between 2007 and 2009. You will find the archives mounted as /2007\_data, /2008\_data, and /2009_data on most of the beamline computers.…
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Fast X-ray Scattering : FoXS

SIBYLS staff together with Dina Schneidman from Andrej Sali’s lab have developed the FoXS web application. FoXS (Fast X-Ray Scattering) is a rapid method for computing a SAXS profile of a given structure and for matching of the computed and experimental profiles. In our recent publication in Nucleic Acid Research we describe the interface and…
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Mre11 is the May 2010 PSI featured molecule

Near and dear to our heart, Mre11, has been chosen as the May 2010 [featured molecule](http://dx.doi.org/10.3942/psi_sgkb/fm_2010_5) by the Protein Structure Initiative. Additionally, the blurb on the PSI website features a beautiful rendering of the *Pyrococcus furiosus* and *Thermotoga maritima* Mre11 nucleases created by [David Goodsell](http://mgl.scripps.edu/people/goodsell/).

Rotary motion of Rho hexameric helicase elucidated

UC Berkeley researchers, James Berger and Nathan Thomsen, used the SIBYLS beamline to solve the structure of a hexameric helicase, the Rho transcription termination factor (from E. coli), bound to both ATP mimics and an RNA substrate. The results showed that Rho functions like a rotary engine: as the motor spins, it pulls RNA strands…
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New Web-Based DVD Backup Service

We are pleased to announce a new web-based [DVD backup system](/DvdSystem) now available at the SIBYLS beamline. It is fairly straightforward to use, but we have included a set of detailed [instructions](/dvd_backups/dvd_backup.php) to help get you started. Just login in with your SIBYLS username and password and follow the simple steps to create your custom…
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Accurate Direct Beam Position Now in Image Header

For the MX endstation we’ve characterized the dependence of the direct beam on detector distance and 2-theta. We collected 4 sweeps of the detector from 120mm to 1600mm combined with 2-theta offsets from 0º up to 12º. These are the gnuplot 3D plots of the data. This set of 3D plots uses gnuplots pm3d settings…
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Fast SAXS profile computation with Debye formula

FoXS, a new webapp which uses the Debye formula for calculating theoretical scattering profiles, has been made available on the ModBase website. Give it a try to see how it compares to CRYSOL. FoXS is a method for computing a theoretical scattering profile of a structure and fitting of experimental profile. FoXS can be used…
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Science selects ABA receptors as breakthrough of the year runner-up

Science magazine has selected plant [ABA receptors](http://www.sciencemag.org/btoy2009/ru_links.html#ru3links) as one of the runners-up for the 2009 Breakthrough of the Year award. MX and SAXS data collected at the SIBYLS beamline were integral to the research article published in the Dec 4th issue of Science. This work was recognized as contributing to the fundamental breakthrough in the…
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