Training in advanced experimental techniques
The Diamond Light Source Macromolecular Crystallography group would like to invite both our academic and industrial users to the Going further in MX: Advanced experiments at Diamond on-site training session on Wednesday 24 - Thursday 25 June 2026.
MX on-site training is changing! We now offer different training events aimed at different experience levels of using Diamond MX beamlines and experimental needs. If you are a new user to Diamond MX, we also offer an Introduction to Diamond MX training event.
The aim of this event is to provide established Diamond MX users with further training in advanced experimental techniques available at Diamond including sample preparation and biophysics, protein dynamics, fragment screening, micro-/nano-crystallography, phasing/anomalous diffraction and the associated data analysis tools available for these techniques.
Please apply for this event at the link above. Places are limited to 25 participants. Applications are now open and will close at 12:00 (BST) on Friday 22 May 2026. All applicants will be informed about the outcome of their application shortly after this date.
This event is free of charge and includes lunch on 24 - 25 June as well as accommodation and dinner for the night of 24 June. Reasonable travelling expenses within the UK will also be provided. We may provide an additional night of accommodation on request if travel necessitates this.
Small Crystals (VMXm)
Microcrystals (<20 microns) are challenging to collect data from, and while scientists aim to grow large, well-diffracting crystals, sometimes this is not always possible and so these challenges must be met. Microcrystals are difficult to detect, mount and align in the X-ray beam. They generate weak diffraction signals and are also more sensitive to radiation damage, often requiring multiple microcrystals to build a complete dataset. The VMXm beamline is optimised for these challenges, providing a submicron X-ray beam and an in vacuum endstation to reduce background noise.
Additionally, samples are mounted on cryo-EM grids which allow the removal of excess liquid, another source of background noise, and rapid cooling of crystals. This session will demonstrate the types of microcrystals that can be collected at VMXm, how to prepare the crystals for the beamline and collect diffraction data. Advanced data processing methods for data collected at VMXm will also be covered. Participants will have the opportunity to bring a microcrystal sample to the workshop to prepare for data collection at VMXm.
Proteins in Motion (XFEL hub/I24)
Time-resolved serial crystallography experiments enable researchers to capture atomic-resolution snapshots of proteins in motion. Whether you are interested in how an enzyme catalyses a reaction, how a drug binds to your protein, or how a receptor detects light, time-resolved crystallography can help elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
This session will introduce the types of serial crystallography experiments that we support at Diamond and X-ray Free Electron Lasers. We will also discuss how to overcome the practical challenges of sample preparation and provide hands-on demonstrations of how microcrystal samples are characterised and how serial crystallography experiments are performed at beamline I24.
What's my atom? (I23)
The unique wavelength range of the macromolecular crystallography beamline I23 at Diamond Light Source enables the identification and localisation of metal ions and lighter biologically relevant atoms (Ca, K, S, P, and Cl) using X-ray anomalous scattering in crystal structure analysis.
This session will demonstrate a typical element identification experiment: anomalous datasets are collected at two wavelengths, above and below the absorption edge of the target element and processed to calculate phased anomalous difference Fourier maps. The difference in anomalous peak heights between these datasets enables direct identification and localisation of the element within the protein structure.
Drug Discovery (XChem)
This session will focus on Diamond’s crystallographic fragment‑screening facility, highlighting the key steps enabling structure‑based drug discovery. We will guide you through the complete fragment‑screening workflow and outline the practical requirements needed to prepare your system for a successful screen. The session will also include hands‑on demonstrations, followed by dedicated time for questions and discussion.
Challenging Samples (MX crystallisation facility, Membrane Protein Laboratory)
This session will showcase the peripheral facilities for sample preparation for MX at Diamond which is important in obtaining the best quality sample before a diffraction experiment.
The tools available within the crystallisation facility and the Membrane Protein Laboratory (MPL) will be demonstrated with an opportunity for participants to setup their own crystallisation plates for submission to VMXi and prepare membrane protein samples for lipid cubic phase (LCP) crystallisation.
For any queries please contact:
Diamond Light Source is the UK's national synchrotron science facility, located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.
Diamond Light Source Ltd
Diamond House
Harwell Science & Innovation Campus
Didcot
Oxfordshire
OX11 0DE
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