Biology Linac Coherent Light Source | SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

Biology
Linac Coherent Light Source

Explore Biology at LCLS

X-ray free electron lasers such as the LCLS have been revolutionary in structural biology, allowing unique experiments on diverse biological targets.

About Us

2-color X-ray Laser Technique

Science Impact

X-ray free electron lasers have allowed us to make exciting discoveries in biology.

Check out the scientific impact of LCLS here.

How a Single Chemical Bond Balances Cells Between Life and Death

Metalloproteins

Outrunning X-ray radiation damage with the use of X-ray FELs, like LCLS, enables the determination of room temperature metalloprotein structures.

Membrane Proteins

Measuring X-ray diffraction from nanocrystals using X-ray FELs like LCLS allows structures of difficult-to-crystallize proteins to be determined.

Photoactive Proteins

LCLS has allowed studying the active state structure of photosensitive proteins from femto- to milliseconds after photoactivation.

When X-rays (yellow beam) pass through a crystal (green shapes), they form an intensity pattern on a detector behind the crystal that is dominated by bright spots (dots in the background).

Structural Enzymology

X-ray free electron lasers, like LCLS, have become vital for studying the structural rearrangements in enzymes during biological reactions.

Structure-Based Drug Design

Solving structures at ambient temperature with minimal radiation damage through the use of LCLS XFELs provides more accurate information on binding pockets.

Work with Us

Scientists worldwide have used LCLS's unique capabilities to explore previously unreachable areas in fields like biology, generating hundreds of articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals published in journals like Science and Nature.

BECOME A USER

We invite you to become a user at LCLS!

The LCLS encourages scientists to submit proposals for experiments that utilize the LCLS's unique capabilities.

INSTRUMENTS

LCLS features seven specialized instrument hutches to conduct pioneering research and assist users with experiments

LABORATORIES

Labs are available and equipped for biosample preparation and manipulation and final stage sample preparations.